Enforcement of an updated sidewalk vending ordinance began Friday, following clarification of First Amendment concerns and impounding measures.
Unanimously amended by the San Diego City Council in February, the ordinance "provides clarity on which vending activities are safeguarded under the First Amendment as free speech, and impounding measures for rogue vendors that fail to comply with the health and safety regulations," according to a statement from Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell's office.
Relevant content:
Campbell said the amendments will "protect permitted vendors who comply with all city requirements and help eliminate unlawful vending activities."
Get San Diego local news, weather forecasts, sports and lifestyle stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC San Diego newsletters.
Campbell represents many of the city's beach communities in District 2 and pushed the law forward.
Mayor Todd Gloria said Campbell's work to bring the amended ordinance forward "helps make our regulations and expectations clear and ensures San Diego's public spaces serve all of us."
In February 2023, San Diego law enforcement personnel began enforcing the city's ordinance in beach areas, following a similar enforcement step-up in the Gaslamp Quarter in December.
The City Council first approved the ordinance in May 2022, bringing San Diego into compliance with state Senate Bill 946, a California law that de-criminalized sidewalk vending statewide and set parameters on how cities could impose regulations.
San Diego Police Department officers were handing out warnings on Thursday and informing vendors in the Gaslamp Quarter and beach areas about the updated ordinance.
Even after he was cited and told to leave, Alpha — as he calls himself — was still set up outside Petco Park on Opening Day selling Padres gear. He says he was told he couldn’t sell close to the park and game times.
"It’s not right. I’m out here having a clean hustle, trying to make some money. They are moving me," Alpha told NBC 7.
NBC 7 found several vendors in the mix of the Padres home opener, some outside the ballpark and others inside the Gaslamp Quarter. But as of Friday, if they are selling without the proper permits and license, they could face fines and confiscation of their equipment.
Vendors and pushcart operators must pay $38 annually for a permit to sell their wares in San Diego.
City staff initially recommended the new permit fee be as high as $230 per business, but negotiations with council members brought that number down to the same as a business tax certificate in the city.
Food vendors are also required to obtain a San Diego County Health Permit and Food Handler Card.
Since the ordinance was written, vending permits have been issued to local vendors selling jewelry, clothing, apparel, artisan products, home decor, candles, fine art collectibles, novelty items, food products and other items.
The ordinance also sets up parameters for where vendors can operate -- for example, 15 feet from another vendor, 50 feet from a major transit stop and 100 feet from any sidewalk or street closure.
More information can be found here.
