Planning commission backs amendment to seasonal-sales rule, extends vendor period to 20 weeks

Riverdale City Planning Commission on April 8 voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council to amend Riverdale City Code 10-19-9, the city’s rule on temporary structures for seasonal sales, and to extend the maximum permitted period for a temporary vendor from 15 weeks to 20 weeks.

The proposed amendment narrows permitted locations to C-3 commercial zones and (with additional limits) the A-1 zone for products produced on-site, requires a permit for temporary structures, and requires applicants to present a sales tax certificate except for sellers who are exempt under state law (for example, certain producers of fruits and vegetables and nursery stock). The commission also specified size, spacing and safety standards: temporary structures must be self-contained, under 200 square feet, set back from sidewalks and public right-of-way, and vendors must obtain property-owner permission on improved commercial sites.

Why it matters: the amendment is intended to clarify the city code so that small producers can operate temporary roadside or lot-based stands while the city retains regulatory controls to protect traffic…