The Los Angeles City Council voted 11 to 2 today on a proposal by Councilmembers Curren Price, Joe Buscaino, and José Huizar to legalize street vending in the second largest city in the country. In the wake of last week’s executive actions against immigrants to the United States, the proposal requested an ordinance to decriminalize street vending while a report is prepared on how to implement the program and an ordinance is written to give the Board of Public Works the power to issue permits for vendors.
“For the past several years, I have worked arduously to create a sidewalk vending policy that is mindful and considerate to all Angelenos,” said Councilman Price. “Today, we are proposing a fair and balanced approach that provides a pathway for vendors to come out of the shadows and abide by rules and regulations, while properly addressing the concerns of consumers, micro-entrepreneurs, and brick-and-mortar businesses. I am encouraged that after many years, Los Angeles will finally have a policy in place that will be good for Los Angeles and benefitting to everyone.”
“It is appalling that Los Angeles is the only major U.S. City that does not allow sidewalk vending,” said Councilmember Huizar. “We cannot continue to allow an unregulated system that penalizes hard-working, mostly immigrant, vendors with possible criminal misdemeanor charges, particularly in the current political environment. These people are not asking for a handout, they are asking for an opportunity to lift themselves up and provide for their families, and I encourage all my colleagues on the City Council to give them the chance they so desperately need and deserve.”
“Today’s framework moves us in the right direction after 30 years of failed policy,” said Councilmember Buscaino. “After months of receiving input from residents, vendors and business owners we have crafted a well-regulated and enforceable compromise that gives community members the opportunity to tailor the policy to their neighborhood while at the same time ensuring that vendors and businesses in every corner of the City are treated equally.”
