Arias wants to ban weekend sidewalk vendors in this Fresno area

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno City Councilman Miguel Arias is proposing to ban weekend vendors in the Tower District.

While he recognizes the vendors “contribute to our economy and neighborhood culture,” he says they are creating “safety concerns.”

Among the concerns: an increase in late-night calls for service (including gang-related calls), open alcohol consumption, and continued unpermitted vending.

To address the issue, Arias is going to propose two amendments during the Oct. 16 city council meeting:

1. Prohibit sidewalk vending from Friday through Sunday between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m.
2. Increase fines citywide for unpermitted sidewalk vending of food cooked on-site using barbecues, grills, or other heated surfaces requiring a fuel source.

Arias says the city council has taken actions to create opportunities for sidewalk vendors to operate legitimately, including establishing the Local Mobile Food Vendor Association Committee and allocating over $1.2 million to help local vendors obtain the proper permits, licenses, security cameras and compliant equipment.

The efforts led to the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, which passed with a 5-2 vote in December of last year but sparked controversy from community members.

If approved, the updates to the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance will take full effect on Dec. 1.