El Centro council sets $100 mobile-vendor permit, keeps business-license costs separate

The El Centro City Council adopted a resolution to set fees for new mobile vendor permits and facility-use permits after a public hearing and staff presentation.

Planning staff presented the fee proposal, saying the $100 mobile vendor permit covers staff time for application review, inspections and complaint responses and that a separate facility use permit would apply to vendors operating inside parks or other city facilities. Staff said the fee schedule was rounded down to encourage compliance and that the permit would be valid for one year. Angel Hernandez, presenting the item, said the first-time business-license application fee remains separate ($185 application plus a $46 annual renewal). Hernandez said special-event vendors working under city-managed events (for example the Six & Main events) do not need the $100 mobile vendor permit because they are covered under a special-event permit and one-day health-permit process.

During the public hearing, vendors and event organizers asked why the $100 figure was chosen and whether the fee would apply to occasional vendors or those who already hold business licenses. Commenters also requested a clear map showing where vending would be permitted under the new rules. Phil Caldwell asked whether vendors who attend the Six & Main events would pay the $100 fee; staff confirmed event vendors are not charged that fee because those events are covered by the event permit. Diana Garcia Ruiz, who operates a mobile food truck and advocates for tiny vendors, urged the council to create a low-cost daily license for people selling inexpensive items; staff and finance said a daily-license recommendation is in development and will be routed through legal and administration.

Council members asked staff to clarify total out-of-pocket costs for a first‑time vendor. Staff reiterated that a first‑time operator without an existing city business license would pay the $185 initial business-license application fee, the proposed $100 mobile-vendor permit, and any health‑department one‑day permits required for food vendors. Staff also said temporary-use permits (for private property events) remain a separate fee (currently about $219.36).

The council moved and seconded to adopt the resolution establishing the mobile vendor and facility-use permit fees and related rules as presented. The motion was entered on the record and then adopted by the council (motion made; roll call recorded during the meeting). The council and staff said they will publish a GIS-based map to show permitted vending locations and coordinate implementation materials to help vendors comply.

Ending: Staff said the fees and the draft map will take effect after the ordinance's effective date and the city will provide outreach to vendors about the new application process and mapping tools.