San Mateo council weighs enforcement options, state outreach after rise in street vending

San Mateo City Council members heard a presentation and public comment Sept. 15 on the proliferation of street vendors in the city, enforcement limits under state law and options for local response.

The issue matters to residents and businesses because vendors have appeared in parks, on major corridors and in residential streets, creating complaints about noise, lights, smells, blocked sidewalks and parking safety, presenters and public speakers said.

Eugene Alper, the city’s code enforcement manager, and Kristen Ayu, senior code enforcement officer, told the council that code staff logged roughly 50–55 complaints over the past year, identified about 30–40 vendors operating in the city and issued seven code citations. Parking enforcement issued about 16 citations (mainly against food trucks) and the police department logged about 90 calls for service related to food vendors, Alper said. "No matter which option you would choose, the result on the ground will be little change or no change at all," Alper said, arguing that enforcement outcomes hinge on how much staff time and funding the city commits.

Alper summarized four response options: continue…