Committee advances amended sidewalk cart and street vending ordinance after extensive public comment

The Business, Housing and Zoning Committee on April 8 voted to amend and advance a substantially revised sidewalk cart and street vending ordinance to the full council.

Amy Lingo, manager for Business Licensing, presented changes developed with the Minneapolis Health Department and other city staff. Key proposals include changing from the existing “1 license, 1 cart, 1 location” model to “1 license, 1 cart, up to 3 approved locations,” allowing vendors more flexibility while keeping fixed approved sites. Lingo explained the hours alignment with the food truck ordinance: “In an effort to align the sidewalk food cart with food truck ordinance, the hours of operation has recommended to be amended to be 6AM to midnight, unless within 300 feet of a residence. Then the hours would be 7AM to 10PM.”

Staff proposed expanding approvable vending corridors from the downtown core and select commercial corridors to citywide “goods and services corridors,” which staff said exist across the city and would increase opportunities for vendors in their home neighborhoods. The ordinance would also amend distance buffers: reduce the measurement for Park and Recreation property from 500 feet from a Park Board building to 200 feet from the property line, and keep a 500-foot buffer from K–12 schools. Lingo said Business Licensing and Public Works will coordinate site-plan review to ensure ADA access and separation from permanent sidewalk fixtures; the Health Department would retain food-safety oversight.

The public hearing drew extensive testimony from vendors and community supporters. Multiple speakers described vending as a pathway to economic stability and cultural expression. Vendor Erica Luna told the committee in Spanish that passing the ordinance would help her regain steady work after a layoff: “I would like you to consider passing this license law for street vendors. We will equip ourselves with resources and foundations to have a stable business for our clients, community, family,” and added she and others were “willing to work under the ordinance and continue to maintain food safety.” Longtime vendor Blaine M. supported the ordinance while raising operational concerns such as umbrella size and the need to prevent being displaced by temporary events. A downtown restaurant owner, Ryan Brown, urged guardrails to avoid vendors operating directly in front of existing businesses without coordination, citing past trash and crowding issues.

The committee first approved a motion to amend language to update accessibility terminology across codes—changing “handicap loading zone” to “accessible transfer zone” and “handicap” to “person with disability”—a change staff said was coordinated with Neighborhood and Community Relations and Race, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging departments. After discussion the committee voted to forward the amended ordinance to the full council for final action. The chair and co-authors urged continued outreach and supports for vendors to help them comply and succeed if the ordinance is adopted.