Jurupa Valley asks staff to craft sidewalk-vending rules as businesses and residents report rise in unpermitted vendors

Jurupa Valley leaders moved to develop clearer local rules for sidewalk and mobile food vending after a staff presentation and repeated public complaints about unpermitted operators.

City planner/staff presenter Mr. Salas told the council that the city has approved 101 vendor permits since 2017 and currently shows 32 active vendors, and described the city’s permitting process and penalties. “The permit expires annually on the date of submittal,” he said, and outlined a placard system and a $180 city permit fee. He also noted that county environmental health retains authority to impound perishable items but has limited resources.

The presentation was followed by public comments from local business owners who said unpermitted vendors are widespread and cutting into restaurant revenues. One business owner said vendors set up near his shop and “it’s hurting my business,” calling for more late-evening enforcement. Anthony Navarro, who identified himself as a Jurupa Valley business owner of 22 years, said: “Local businesses pay taxes and we employ local people. Let’s keep tax dollars here and hold every business to the same standard.”

Council members repeatedly referenced state law limiting outright bans on street vending; Councilmember Chris Barajas told the meeting the state has made sidewalk vending legal and that local rules must focus on where and how vending occurs. “The state recently made it illegal for any city to prohibit street vending, legal street vending,” Barajas said, adding the council must therefore craft specific placement and hours rules rather than attempt a ban.

Councilmembers discussed a range of policy tools: creating specific sidewalk‑vending language (limitations on location, hours and proximity to brick‑and‑mortar businesses), caps on permits, priority rules for Jurupa Valley residents, and training or certifying city staff to perform routine health checks. Several councillors urged a stronger enforcement presence at nights and weekends and recommended exploring vehicle-based citations to combat fake identification used by some unpermitted vendors.

Rather than adopt an immediate ordinance, the council directed staff to return within 60 days with a set of options covering enforcement approaches, whether an in‑house health certification program is feasible, potential zoning/placement rules, and draft language to regulate sidewalk vending. City Manager Flann confirmed staff will prepare recommendations and a timeline.

Next steps: staff will bring back a written package of ordinance options and enforcement strategies within roughly 60 days for the council to review and refine.