Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City attorney warns Temple City council about pending state bills affecting sidewalk vending enforcement
Summary
The city attorney briefed the council on state sidewalk‑vending laws (SB 946, SB 972) and pending SB 635, warning that SB 635 would bar contracting enforcement and restrict criminal-history screening, potentially limiting local enforcement options and increasing public-safety concerns.
City Attorney Greg updated the council on state laws governing sidewalk vending and a pending bill that could affect local enforcement.
Greg summarized the current legal landscape: Senate Bill 946 (2018) required cities to allow sidewalk vending and barred outright bans; Senate Bill 972 (2022) expanded protections for compact mobile food operations. Under existing law, enforcement must be administrative (fines) rather than criminal, and ability-to-pay findings can substantially reduce fines.
Greg flagged Senate Bill 635 as a pending measure that would prohibit cities from contracting enforcement services related to sidewalk vending and would limit the ability to screen vendor criminal history for permits, including violent or child‑related offenses. He warned that such limits could make it difficult to prevent vendors from operating near schools or parks and recommended councilmembers consider contacting legislators about the bill.
Greg said Temple City has not experienced sidewalk vending at a scale requiring contracted enforcement and noted the state’s evolving rules have complicated local enforcement tools.
Next steps: The city attorney advised councilmembers they may wish to contact state legislators to express concerns about SB 635; no council action was taken at this meeting.
