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Mobile vendors ask Parlier to relax sidewalk rules; staff to review classification and licensing
Summary
A vendor from Government Wireless Services asked the council to allow licensed mobile vendors on sidewalks without owner permission. Staff said state sidewalk-vending law and city code distinctions require review and will follow up.
A mobile vendor seeking to operate in Parlier asked the council Thursday to revise local rules so licensed mobile vendors can use sidewalks, saying other cities allow sidewalk vending under insurance and property-owner arrangements.
David Moreno, identified as representing Government Wireless Services, said his business provides government-subsidized phones and sets up tables near service providers and events. Moreno asked the city to allow sidewalk vending similar to nearby cities that permit vendors to set up on the public right-of-way provided they don’t obstruct pedestrian travel and carry insurance.
Staff replied that state law creates categories (peddler, itinerant vendor, sidewalk vendor) and each category is treated differently under local codes. “There are distinctions in law and in our code about what constitutes an itinerant vendor versus a peddler versus a solicitor versus a mobile [vendor],” a staff member said, adding staff had received Mr. Moreno’s business-license application and letters of permission from property owners for private-property vending.
Megan, acting as the city’s interim legal counsel, told the council the city would review how local code aligns with state sidewalk-vending law (SB 946, cited in discussion) and noted outreach to code enforcement and business licensing staff was underway. Staff agreed to contact Mr. Moreno to clarify options and to confirm whether a one-day temporary permit could be issued for near-term events.
No ordinance change or vote occurred. City staff said they would follow up with the vendor to examine whether his business should be licensed as a sidewalk vendor under current state law or handled as a different category under local code.
Key next steps: staff to (1) confirm vendor classification under SB 946 and local code, (2) advise whether a one-day permit is possible, and (3) provide contact information to the vendor to pursue site permissions for private-property vending.
