After large turnout, Stockton council sends proposed street‑vending ordinance back to committee for more outreach

A proposed Stockton Municipal Code update to regulate street and sidewalk vending drew large public turnout on May 13 and was not adopted. Instead, the City Council voted to return the draft ordinance to the legislative committee for further revisions and community outreach.

Matt Van Fleet, the code enforcement field manager, told the council the ordinance is intended to align city code with state laws referenced in the staff report (identified as SB 946 and SB 972), to clarify licensing and permitting, set operational standards (hours, spatial restrictions, waste management), and revise enforcement to prioritize infractions over misdemeanors. Staff proposed a $60 annual park-use fee for vendors who intend to operate in parks and a structure of fines to support enforcement and maintenance costs.

The staff presentation acknowledged limits on local authority under the state laws and suggested time, place and manner restrictions to protect pedestrian flow and park resources. Among operational proposals were specific rules for compact mobile food operations and requirements intended to protect public health.

Public comment lasted more than an hour and included dozens of speakers representing Angel Cruz Park and other vendor communities. The record was strongly skewed toward opposition to elements of the draft: speakers urged delaying any vote, demanded multilingual outreach and technical assistance, and challenged proposals such as live‑scan fingerprinting, bans on canopies and generators, and what many described as constructive alternatives rather than punitive approaches. Representative remarks included: “Scrap the ordinance and work with the vendors,” and “Do not displace our vendors. Do not pass this ordinance anytime soon.”

Some residents and business owners supported regulation that clarified health and safety standards, enforcement, and fees to protect parks and nearby businesses. City staff and some councilmembers emphasized safety, translation needs and the importance of education before enforcement.

Council action and next steps Councilmember Enriquez moved to return the ordinance to the legislative committee for further vetting; Councilmember Padilla seconded. Vice Mayor Lee offered a friendly amendment directing staff to schedule additional community town halls (particularly in Districts 2, 5 and 6) while the item is returned to committee. The motion, as amended, carried 6–0 with Councilmember Ponce absent. The item was scheduled to return to the legislative committee on May 27 for continued discussion.

Why it matters The draft would bring Stockton into compliance with recent state vendor laws while trying to balance public‑health, safety and park maintenance concerns with the livelihoods and cultural significance of street vendors — particularly for Stockton’s Southeast Asian and Latino communities. The council’s decision to seek more outreach reflects community resistance to some proposed requirements and the need for translation, technical support, and phased implementation.

Key quotes - Matt Van Fleet (code enforcement): “This particular ordinance that we're proposing carefully balances the needs of vendors with the preservation of the public spaces.” - Public commenter Eliza Everhart: “Scrap the ordinance and work with the vendors.” - Councilmember Enriquez (on next steps): moved to send the item back to legislative committee with more community engagement.

What to watch next The legislative committee review on May 27 and scheduled town halls; any revised ordinance language about fingerprinting, canopy or generator restrictions, and fee structure.