Ordinance committee forwards draft vehicle-vending rules to City Council after weeks of outreach

The Santa Barbara City Ordinance Committee voted unanimously Jan. 28 to forward a draft ordinance that would regulate vending from vehicles 9.48.010to the City Council, after hearing staff presentations, public comment and questions about enforcement, lighting, noise and geographic restrictions.

City Attorney John Domas briefed the committee on distinctions between sidewalk vending and vending from vehicles, saying the city already regulates sidewalk vending under chapter 9.49 but must treat vehicle vending differently because courts and the vehicle code limit blanket bans. "We currently have a sidewalk vending ordinance under chapter 9.49, and that is different or distinct in some ways when you compare it to vending from a vehicle in the street," Domas said, adding that the law allows more regulatory tools for vehicle vending because of health and safety concerns.

The proposed rules would allow vending from vehicles but add time, place and manner restrictions aimed at public safety. Key provisions described by staff include a 7 a.m. start and a 10 p.m. end to permitted vending hours; a four-hour maximum continuous vending period followed by a required move of at least 500 feet; a requirement that the vehicle be fully parked before any sale; sales windows be on the sidewalk side of the vehicle; display of health permits and compliance with state requirements for…