Sonora Municipal Code § 5.06 Sidewalk Vending/Motorized Food Vendors

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. 861, § 1, adopted Oct. 21, 2019, amended Ch. 5.06 in its entirety. The former chapter pertained to portable food vendors and derived from Ord. 592 (part), 1984; Ord. 599, § 2 (part), 1984; Ord. 623 (part), 1986; Ord. 704 (part), 1995; and Ord.725 (part), 1997.

A. The purpose of this chapter is to establish a permitting and regulatory program for motorized food vendors and for sidewalk vendors that complies with Senate Bill 946 (Chapter 459, Statutes 2018). The provisions of this chapter allow the city to encourage small business activities by removing total prohibitions on portable food stands and merchandise sales, while still permitting regulation and enforcement of unpermitted motorized food vendors and sidewalk vending activities to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.

B. The city council hereby finds that to promote the public's health, safety, and welfare, restrictions on sidewalk vending and motorized food vending are necessary to:

1. Ensure no unreasonable interference with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic including ingress into, or egress from, any residence, public building, or place of business, or from the street to the sidewalk, by persons exiting or entering parked or standing vehicles;

2. Provide reasonable access for the use and maintenance of sidewalks, pathways, poles, posts, traffic signs or signals, hydrants, firefighting apparatus, manholes, storm drains, mailboxes or other utilities or appurtenances, as well as access to locations used for public transportation services;

3. Reduce exposure to the city for personal injury or property damage claims and litigation; and

4. Ensure sidewalk vending activities occur only in locations where such activities would not restrict sidewalk and pathway access and enjoyment to all users, particularly individuals with disabilities.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

For the purposes of this chapter, terms shall have the following meanings:

"Cannabis" shall have the same meaning as set forth in Business and Professions Code Section 26001(f) as it may be amended from time to time.

"Certified farmers' market" means a location operated in accordance with Chapter 10.5 (commencing with Section 47000) of Division 17 of the California Food and Agricultural Code and any regulations adopted pursuant to that chapter.

"City" means the City of Sonora.

"Code" means the city code of the City of Sonora. "County" means the county of Tuolumne.

"Curb face" means the vertical or sloping surface on the roadway side of the curb.

"Director" means the administrative services director or his or her designee.

"Emergency vehicle access" means the roadway path or other surface that provides police, fire, or other safety vehicle access from the dispatched point of origin to a facility, building, parcel, park, or portion thereof. Emergency vehicle access includes, but is not limited to, fire lanes, public and private streets, parking lot lanes, access roadways, and walkways.

"Food" means any edible substance.

"Goods" or "merchandise" means any item that is not food.

"Hearing officer" means an impartial individual designated by the city administrator to determine appeals pursuant to and in accordance with Section 1.24.120.

"Heating element" means any device used to create heat for food preparation.

"Merchandise" means any item(s) that can be sold and immediately obtained from a sidewalk vendor which is not considered food. Items for rent shall not be considered merchandise.

"Motorized food vendor" means any mobile unit howsoever propelled, upon which or from which any food or beverage is vended, displayed or given away.

"Park" means a public park owned and operated by the city.

"Public property" means all property owned or controlled by the city, including, but not limited to, alleys, parks, pathways, plazas, streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and walking trails.

"Residential" means any area zoned exclusively as residential in Title 17, Zoning Ordinance, of this code.

"Roaming sidewalk vendor" means a sidewalk vendor who moves from place to place and stops only to complete a transaction.

"Sidewalk" means a public sidewalk or paved pedestrian path or walkway specifically designed for pedestrian travel.

"Sidewalk vendor" means a person who sells food or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized conveyance, or from one's person, upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path.

"Special event" means any temporary permitted event approved by the city or sponsored by the city.

"Stationary sidewalk vendor" means a sidewalk vendor who vends from a fixed location.

"Vend" or "vending" means to barter, exchange, sell, offer for sale, display for sale, or solicit offers to purchase, food or merchandise, or to require someone to negotiate, establish, or pay a fee before providing food or merchandise, even if characterized as a donation.

"Vendor" means a person who vends.

"Vending cart" means a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other non-motorized conveyance used for vending, that is not a vehicle as defined in the California Vehicle Code.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

A. No person shall engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of vending on a sidewalk or in a park without a sidewalk vendors permit issued under the provisions of this chapter and obtaining a city business license.

B. No person shall engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of motorized food vending within the city without a motorized food vendor permit issued under the provisions of this chapter and obtaining a city business license.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

Motorized food vendor permits issued will be limited to six within the city. Of those, no more than three motorized food vendor permits will be issued within Zone A. No more than two permits shall be issued per applicant.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019

Every person, prior to engaging in, conducting, or carrying on the business of a sidewalk vendor or motorized food vendor, shall file an application for a permit with the director accompanied by a two hundred dollar permit fee. The permit fee may be amended by resolution or ordinance by the city council. The application shall be in a form prescribed by the director and shall contain, at a minimum, the following:

A. The legal name, current mailing address and telephone number of the applicant;

B. If the applicant is an agent of an individual, company, partnership, corporation, or other entity, the name and business address of the principal;

C. A copy of a California's driver's license or identification number, an individual taxpayer identification number, or a social security number. The number collected shall not be available to the public for inspection, is confidential, and shall not be disclosed except as required to administer the permit or comply with a state law or state or federal court order;

D. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all persons that will be employed as a sidewalk or motorized food vendor by the applicant;

E. A description of the food and/or merchandise for vending;

F. A description, map, or drawing of the area(s) in which the sidewalk or motorized food vendor proposes to operate;

G. A description and photograph of any vending cart to be used in the operation of the business by sidewalk vendors;

H. The make, model, license plate number and photograph of all vehicles to be used in the operation of the business. The name and address of the vehicle owner. Applicant must provide a copy of the current registration certificate and evidence of insurance;

I. The hours per day and the days per week during which the sidewalk or motorized food vendor proposes to operate;

J. Sidewalk vendors must indicate whether he or she intend to operate as a stationary sidewalk vendor or a roaming sidewalk vendor;

K. Proof of comprehensive general liability insurance protecting the permittee and the city from all claims against any injury, death, loss or damage as a result of wrongful or negligent acts or omissions by the permittee. Such insurance shall name as additional insured the city and its officers, officials, employees, agents, and volunteers and shall provide that the policy shall not terminate or be canceled prior to the expiration date without thirty days advance written notice to the city. Proof of workers compensation insurance, if applicable;

L. An agreement by the applicant to indemnify and hold harmless the city, its officers, officials, employees, agents, and volunteers, for any claim, damages, actions, or causes of action which may arise from or in any manner relate to the permit or the vendor's sidewalk vending activities;

M. Food vendors must also comply with the following requirements:

1. Provide a copy of the certification of completion of a county-approved food handler's course and copies of all required approvals from the county's food safety program;

2. Provide a copy of a valid mobile food permit issued by Tuolumne County;

3. Indicate whether food is prepacked or to be prepared on site;

4. Indicate whether the vendor requires a heating element to prepare food.

N. Certification by the applicant, under penalty of perjury, that the information contained in the application is true to his or her knowledge and belief; and

O. Any other reasonable information required by the director.

Applications for permits shall be filed a minimum of thirty days prior to the date requested for issuance of the permit.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

The term of any permit issued under this chapter shall be for a period of one year, or the remaining balance of the calendar year, commencing on January 1 of each year and ending on December 31. Applicants shall apply for renewal of his or her permit a minimum of thirty days prior to the expiration date. The two hundred dollar permit fee must be submitted with the renewal application. A business license fee is also required as covered under Chapter 5.10, Business Licenses (Ordinance No. 654).

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

A. Not later than thirty days after the filing of a completed application for a vendor's permit, the applicant shall be notified of the decision on the issuance or denial of the permit.

B. The director may issue a sidewalk vendor permit or a motorized food vendor permit, with appropriate conditions, if he or she finds based on all of the relevant information that:

1. The conduct of the vendor will not unduly interfere with traffic or pedestrian movement, or tend to interfere with or endanger the public peace or rights of nearby residents to the quiet and peaceable enjoyment of their property, or otherwise be detrimental to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare;

2. The conduct of such vending activity will not constitute a fire hazard, and all proper safety precautions will be taken;

3. The vendor has paid all previous administrative fines, completed all community service, and completed any other alternative disposition associated in any way with a previous violation of this chapter;

4. The vendor has not had a permit revoked within the same calendar year;

5. The vendor's application contains all required information;

6. The vendor has not made a materially false, misleading, or fraudulent statement of fact to the city in the application process;

7. The vendor has satisfied all the requirements of this chapter;

8. The vendor has paid all applicable fees as set by city council resolution or ordinance.

C. Vendor permits and business licenses are non-transferable. Any change in ownership or operation of a motorized food vendor, sidewalk vendor or sidewalk vending cart requires a new permit and license under this chapter.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

A. All sidewalk vendors are subject to the following operating conditions when conducting vending activities:

1. All vendor permits shall be displayed conspicuously at all times on the vending cart or the sidewalk vendor's person.

2. Sidewalk vendors shall not leave their sidewalk vending cart unattended. Sidewalk vending carts shall not be stored on public property.

3. All sidewalk vendors shall allow a city police officer, firefighter, or code enforcement officer, at any time, to inspect their sidewalk vending cart for compliance with the size requirements of this chapter and to ensure the safe operation of any heating elements used to prepare food.

4. All operations must conform to federal, state, county, and local safety regulations as directed by the Sonora fire department. Vendor must have a certified and charged 2A10BC fire extinguisher on the vending cart.

5. Vending carts and vehicles used for the carrying, transporting, storage and serving of food shall be in accordance with all city, county and state health codes and licensing.

6. Every sidewalk vending cart shall not exceed a total length of six feet, a total width of four feet, or a total height, including a roof, umbrella, or awning of eight feet.

7. No sidewalk vending cart shall be motorized.

8. All food and merchandise shall be stored either inside or affixed to the sidewalk vendor cart or carried by the sidewalk vendor. Food and merchandise shall not be stored, placed, or kept on any public property. If affixed to the sidewalk vendor cart, the overall space taken up by the sidewalk vendor cart shall not exceed the size requirements provided in this section.

9. Sidewalk vendors that sell food shall maintain a trash container in or on their sidewalk vending cart and shall not empty their trash into public trashcans or city refuse container. The trash container must remain in position until all purchasers have departed. The size of the vendor's trash container shall be taken into account when assessing the total size limit of a sidewalk vending cart. Sidewalk vendors shall not leave any location without first picking up, removing, and disposing of all trash or refuse from their operation.

10. Sidewalk vendors shall immediately clean up any food, grease, or other fluid or item related to sidewalk vending activities that falls on public or private property.

11. Sidewalk vendors shall maintain the vending location in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition.

12. Vending carts shall not be accompanied by accessories, including, but not limited to, tables, chairs, benches, and umbrellas except that one chair and one umbrella may be provided for the purpose of allowing the vendor or an employee to be seated in shade.

13. Sidewalk vendors shall maintain a minimum four-foot clear accessible path free from obstructions, including sidewalk vending carts, and customer queuing area.

14. Sidewalk vendors shall not approach persons to sell food or merchandise and shall not interfere in any way with anyone engaged in an activity to sell food or merchandise.

B. All motorized food vendors are subject to the following operating conditions when conducting vending activities:

1. All vendor permits shall be displayed conspicuously at all times on the vehicle used for vending.

2. The vehicle used for vending shall not be stored on public property.

3. All vendors shall allow a city police officer, firefighter, or code enforcement officer, at any time, to inspect their vehicle for compliance with this chapter and to ensure the safe operation of any heating elements used to prepare food.

4. All operations must conform to federal, state, county, and local safety regulations as directed by the Sonora fire department. Vendor must have a certified and charged 2A10BC fire extinguisher on the vehicle.

5. All food and equipment shall be stored inside the vehicle.

6. Vehicles used for the carrying, transporting, storage and serving of food shall be in accordance with all city, county and state health codes and licensing.

7. Vendors shall maintain a trash container and shall not empty their trash into public trashcans or city refuse container. The trash container must remain in position until all purchasers have departed. Vendors shall not leave the vending location without first picking up, removing, and disposing of all trash or refuse from their operation.

8. Vendors shall immediately clean up any food, grease, or other fluid or item related to their vending activities that fall on public or private property.

9. Any vending accessories, including, but not limited to, tables, chairs, benches, and umbrellas must be shown on the vending application and approved by the city.

10. Vendors shall not approach persons to sell food or merchandise and shall not interfere in any way with anyone engaged in an activity to sell food or merchandise.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

A. Sidewalk vendors and motorized food vendors shall comply with all operating conditions as set forth in this chapter.

B. Sidewalk vendors and motorized food vendors shall not engage in any of the following activities:

1. Operating on public property that does not meet the definition of a sidewalk or pathway, including but not limited to an, alley, street, open space trail, or parking lot. As required under this chapter and to ensure the health and safety of the vendor and the public.

2. Renting merchandise to customers;

3. Displaying merchandise or food that is not available for immediate sale;

4. Selling of adult-oriented material, cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, or electronic cigarette products;

5. Using an open flame on or within any sidewalk vending receptacle;

6. Using sound amplification equipment, music or live entertainment in conjunction with any vending activity, including but not limited to the use of bells, whistles and horns or bright/flashing lights;

7. Using free standing, flashing, wind powered or animated signs in conjunction with any sidewalk vending activities;

8. Setting up tents, canopies, or erecting any structure;

9. In areas not zoned exclusively for residential use, all sidewalk vendors are prohibited from conducting sidewalk vending activities between the hours of nine p.m. and seven a.m. daily, except that the hours of operation shall not be more restrictive than the hours of operation imposed on other businesses or uses on the same street;

10. In areas zoned exclusively for residential use, roaming sidewalk vendors are prohibited from conducting sidewalk vending activities between the hours of six p.m. and nine a.m. daily;

11. Knowingly making false statements or misrepresentations during the course of offering food or merchandise for sale;

12. Impeding or obstructing ingress to or egress from any public or private property or any structure, parking space, driveway, or loading facility;

13. Obstructing the view of parking lot entrances or exits;

14. Selling or otherwise conducting transactions with persons in moving vehicles or vehicles illegally parked or stopped;

15. Causing vehicles to stop in traffic lanes or causing persons to stand in traffic lanes or parking spaces;

16. Vending in a manner that blocks or obstructs the free movement of vehicles, including parked vehicles;

17. Damaging public or private property, including trees, shrubs, grass, flowers, plants, or vegetation.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

A. Stationary sidewalk vending is prohibited in the following areas:

1. Any residential zone in the city.

B. Sidewalk vendors shall not engage in sidewalk vending activities at the following locations:

1. On any private property without the express written consent of the owner or lessee of the property.

2. On any designated emergency vehicle access way.

3. Within twelve inches of any curb face on all roads.

4. Within fifteen feet of any entrance or exit to a building, structure or facility.

5. Within fifty feet of another sidewalk vendor.

6. Within twenty-five feet of a:

a. Fire hydrant;

b. Curb which has been designated as yellow or red zone, or a bus zone;

c. Trash or recycling containers, bike racks, benches, bus stops, or similar public use items;

d. A street or roadway intersection or crosswalk.

7. On any sidewalk where vending equipment and queuing patrons would restrict access requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

8. Within two hundred feet of the Sonora Certified Farmers' Market or any other permitted certified farmers' market or swap meet during the limited operating hours of that certified farmers' market or swap meet.

9. Within two hundred feet of a school.

10. Within two hundred feet of any area designated for a special event permit issued by the city or any sponsored city event, during the limited duration of the special permit. If the city provides any notice, business interruption mitigation, or other rights to affected businesses or property owners under the city's special permit, such notice will also be provided to any sidewalk vendors specifically permitted to operate in the area, if applicable.

11. The Dragoon Gulch Trail. Such restriction is necessary to ensure the public's use and enjoyment of the natural resources and recreational activities provided at the trail.

C. Locations for vending shall be approved by the director. In addition to any restrictions provided by this section, vending locations may be further limited by the director only if the limitation is directly related to objective health, safety or welfare concerns, including, but not limited to:

1. The ability of the site to safely accommodate the use;

2. Pedestrian safety.

D. Vending locations may change only upon written request by an applicant and written approval by the director.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

A. All sales by motorized food vendors shall be conducted on private property with the express written consent of the owner or lessee of the property.

B. All sales by motorized food vendors pursuant to this chapter shall be made from city approved locations.

C. No person shall engage in the motorized food vending business within one hundred feet or less of a restaurant, or like business, open to the public, without written permission of the business owner(s). Distances provided for in this chapter shall be measured by airline from the closest edge of the restaurant, or like business, to the closest edge of the vending vehicle.

D. Motorized food vendors may operate between the hours of seven a.m. and nine p.m.

E. Vending locations may change only upon a written request by the applicant that is approved by the director.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

In addition to the conditions, restrictions, and prohibited activities provided in this chapter, sidewalk vendors operating in a public park shall not:

A. Operate outside the park's hours of operation;

B. Operate on, or within twenty-five feet of, any sports field or playground equipment area;

C. Utilize any bench, table, barbeque pit, covered gathering area, or other publicly- owned structure or amenity in the park in any way as part of the sidewalk vending operation;

D. Operate within twenty-five feet of any bench, table, barbeque pit, covered gathering area, or other publicly-owned structure or amenity in the park;

E. A stationary sidewalk vendor shall not sell food or merchandise or engage in any sidewalk vending activities at any park where the city has signed an agreement for concessions that exclusively permits the sale of food or merchandise by a concessionaire.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

A. Any motorized food vendor violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of an infraction and upon conviction shall be punished as provided under Chapter 1.08 of this code.

B. Sidewalk vendor violations of this chapter shall not be prosecuted as infractions or misdemeanors and shall only be punished by the following administrative fine and rescission provisions:

1. An administrative fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for a first violation;

2. An administrative fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for a second violation within one year of the first violation; and

3. An administrative fine not exceeding five hundred dollars for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.

C. If a sidewalk vendor violates any portion of this chapter and cannot present the citing officer with a proof of a valid permit, the sidewalk vendor may be punished by:

1. An administrative fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars for a first violation;

2. An administrative fine not exceeding five hundred dollars for a second violation within one year of the first violation; and

3. An administrative fine not exceeding one thousand dollars for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.

D. Upon proof of a valid sidewalk vendor permit issued by the city, the administrative fines set forth in subsection (B) shall be reduced to the administrative fines set forth in subsection (A), or any successor sections.

E. The director may rescind a permit issued to a sidewalk vendor for the term of that permit upon the fourth violation or subsequent violations.

F. The director may deny, suspend, or revoke any vendor permit for any of the following reasons:

1. Fraud or misrepresentation contained in the application for the permit;

2. Fraud or misrepresentation made in the course of carrying on the business of vending;

3. Conduct of the permitted business in such manner as to create a public nuisance, or constitute a danger to the public health, safety, or welfare.

G. Denial, void, or revocation of the business license shall result in revocation of the vendor permit.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)

A. Decisions to deny an application for a sidewalk vendor permit or to impose administrative fines may be appealed by any interested person. Appeals shall be heard and determined by the hearing officer.

B. Appeals shall be initiated within twenty-one calendar days of the decision or imposition of administrative fine. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person appealing an administrative fine is not required to pay the administrative fine as a prerequisite to filing an appeal.

C. Appeals of decisions or administrative fines shall be made in writing to the hearing officer on forms provided by the city. The appeal shall state the facts and basis for the appeal.

D. Appeals of a decision to deny an application for a permit shall be accompanied by a fifty dollar fee.

E. Decisions regarding administrative fines that are appealed shall not become effective until the appeal is resolved.

F. An appeal shall be scheduled for a hearing before the hearing officer within thirty calendar days of the filing of the appeal unless both the appellant and the hearing officer consent to a later date.

G. The hearing officer shall give notice in writing to the appellant of the time and location of the appeal hearing. At the hearing, the hearing officer shall review the record of the decision or administrative fine and hear testimony of the appellant, if any, the applicant and any other interested party. The appeal shall be reviewed and determined on a de novo basis.

1. If an administrative fine for a sidewalk vendor is the subject of an appeal, the hearing officer shall take into consideration the person's ability to pay the fine. The hearing officer shall provide the person with notice of his or her right to request an ability-to-pay determination and shall make available instructions or other materials for requesting an ability-to-pay determination. The person may request an ability-to-pay determination at or before the hearing or while the administrative fine remains unpaid.

2. If a sidewalk vendor meets the criteria described in subdivision (a) or (b) of Government Code Section 68632, or any successor section, the hearing officer shall accept, in full satisfaction, twenty percent of the administrative fine imposed pursuant to this chapter.

3. The hearing officer may allow a sidewalk vendor to complete community service in lieu of paying the total administrative fine, may waive the administrative fine, or may offer an alternative disposition.

H. After the hearing, the hearing officer shall affirm, modify or reverse the original decision or administrative fine. When a decision or administrative fine is modified or reversed, the hearing officer shall state the specific reasons for modification or reversal. Decisions on appeals shall be rendered within thirty calendar days of the close of the hearing. The hearing officer shall mail notice of a decision to the appellant. Such notice shall be mailed within five working days after the date of the decision to the appellant. The decision of the hearing officer shall be final.

(Adopted by Ord. 861 on 10/21/2019)