The Anaheim City Council is updating the city’s sidewalk vendor laws, allowing code enforcement officials to impound equipment from vendors found to not have permits.
On Tuesday with a unanimous vote the council empowered city staff to conduct solo raids and retain up to 90 days the confiscated gear used to sell goods such as crafted ornaments, meals and even the cherry-topped churros along Harbor Boulevard.
“We think it’s a good tool to have in the toolbox and something that we would like to be able to do,” said Ted White, Anaheim’s planning director.
Almost all of Anaheim food vendors don’t have the requisite permit for sidewalk vending. However, local authorities aim to expedite the permit process by scrapping the requirement to list former residences and past criminal convictions.
Concern for pedestrian safety was a key part of the discussion.
Councilwoman Norma Campos Kurtz recalled seeing families and people pushing strollers forced to walk into the street to get sidewalk vendors set up along Harbor Boulevard in the resort district.