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Businesses and residents press West Hollywood officials over surge in unpermitted street vendors
Summary
Residents and business owners told the Public Safety Commission that unlicensed vendors clustered on San Vicente and Santa Monica Boulevard are blocking sidewalks and emergency exits, spilling grease, and attracting underage drinkers; staff described focused enforcement operations but said vendors return when enforcement leaves and cited limits imposed by state law.
Residents and business owners pressed the West Hollywood Public Safety Commission on June 8, telling commissioners that unpermitted hot‑dog carts and other vendors have proliferated in the Rainbow District and are creating safety, sanitation and accessibility hazards.
Paul Nichols, partner at Beaches Tropicana, said vendors on San Vicente and Santa Monica Boulevard sometimes number a dozen or more and "block emergency exits" used by clubs, leave grease on sidewalks, and operate with propane tanks that increase fire risk. "They've attracted people on the street selling liquor. So you have underage people who are now on the corner drinking and eating, and then fights start breaking out," Nichols said.
Other speakers, including Robert Hawthorne and Kyle Brazil, reported seeing many vendors in groups (one speaker said he counted about 40 on a recent Saturday), described slip‑and‑fall incidents on grease‑soiled sidewalks, and accused some operators of coordinated, for‑profit activity rather than lone entrepreneurs. Stephanie Harker told commissioners she had seen a 14‑year‑old working with vendors and urged investigation into whether children were being trafficked or exploited.
Director of Community Safety Danny Rivas said staff has conducted "focused operations" pairing code enforcement, sheriff's deputies and security ambassadors. Those operations, Rivas said, were effective while enforcement teams were present, pushing vendors to less central locations, but vendors typically return after enforcement ends. He also said the city amended its sidewalk vending ordinance consistent with the state Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) and that the ordinance already identifies places where vending is prohibited; enforcement is currently administrative (fines) and requires sufficient staffing to keep vendors out of high‑traffic areas nightly.
Commissioners asked about other enforcement tools. Staff noted the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health previously paused active enforcement of unpermitted sidewalk vending in September (countywide) because of concerns about immigration enforcement; health inspectors continue educational operations. Staff said an agreement or MOU with county inspectors, more consistent code enforcement presence during peak hours, or a business coalition funding extra enforcement are among the options the city will explore.
The commission agreed to pursue further follow‑up: staff will consult the city clerk about placing a vendor‑focused item on a future agenda, consider inviting Alcoholic Beverage Control or other partners, and continue outreach to businesses and neighborhood groups. The commission and multiple speakers urged quicker, more visible action ahead of large events and noted that the underlying public‑safety concerns include both sanitation and violent incidents reported on social media.
The meeting record shows public speakers repeatedly asked the commission to press their appointing council members for additional action; staff said they will compile community input and include it in the staff report appended to forthcoming council materials.
The commission did not adopt any new ordinance or vote on additional enforcement at this meeting; staff recommended further study and a return to the commission for more detailed options.
