The Hayward City Council gave final approval last week to new regulations and guidelines for sidewalk vending in the City including the establishment of a new permitting program for sidewalk vendors.
The new ordinance, which takes effect on Nov. 17, brings Hayward into alignment with 2019 state legislation that decriminalized sidewalk vending in California and is intended to provide a pathway for sidewalk vendors to operate lawfully in the City and in a manner that is both compatible with local businesses and protects public health.
Under the changes, sidewalk vendors will be required to apply for and obtain a Hayward Sidewalk Vending Permit prior to any vending on sidewalks. Vendors who propose to sell food will also be required to first obtain a Mobile Food Facility Permit from the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health.
As part of the process, sidewalk vendors will be required to provide basic contact information such as their name, mailing address and phone number, describe the food or merchandise to be sold, and indicate if they intend to be stationary or roaming and if they will be operating as an agent of another individual, company, partnership or corporation.
The fine for illegally operating without a sidewalk vending permit ranges from $250 for a first offense to up to $1,000 for each additional violation. Repeat violations of other regulations are punishable by fines ranging from $100 to $500 per incident.
To learn more, go online here to the City’s website, where educational information and a schedule of educational workshops will soon be available. Until then, questions and requests for additional information can be directed to Hayward Senior Planner Rozalynne Thompson at Rozalynne.Thompson@hayward-ca.gov and (510) 583-5552.
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