FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) – The council chamber was nearly full Thursday afternoon as the Fresno City Council discussed the possibility of a new ordinance for the city’s municipal code.

Titled the “Street Vending Ordinance,” according to the council agenda, the purpose of this ordinance is to find a way to protect vendors while also protecting the public.

But some people like Ariana Martínez Lott don’t think this will help sellers.

“This policy was rushed and had very little proactive and meaningful engagement with the broader street vendor community,” Martínez Lott said.

According to the ordinance presented to the Fresno City Council, this new ordinance would allow fire department and code enforcement representatives to inspect a supplier’s operations.

If they see any egregious violations, that provider will receive a warning. Fines would be imposed from there, with a maximum of $500 if the provider does not cooperate with the requested changes.

Other rules of this law establish that sellers cannot establish their businesses.

According to the policy, vendors cannot set up within 200 feet of a freeway ramp, farmers market or event.

They also cannot be located within 100 feet of a residence, 50 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant, 10 feet of another vendor, or within three feet of a building for vendors who cook food on-site.

According to people who own mobile food carts, like Rita Ortega, this makes it difficult for them to make a living. Especially when they need to put food on the table.

“I am the head of the family and it is quite difficult for me with these regulations that are being imposed, as well as the fines that are being imposed,” said Ortega. “It’s quite a challenge.

After hearing some of the public’s concerns, Councilman Miguel Arias explained that he understands their concerns, but also reminds them how they are doing what they can to help.

“This Council has invested a million and a half dollars to incentivize and support mobile food vendors, making sure they get their license, carts and cameras,” Arias said.

“We also opened a thousand parks so they could sell. It looks like we have additional training work to do there.”

He also explained why it is important to implement an ordinance like this for all food vendors.

“The reason we need a policy is because we can’t address repeat offenders and the problem without having a city-wide policy for the entire area,” Arias said. “It’s unfair to treat businesses in one part of the city or one neighborhood differently than a different neighborhood.”

After further discussion on revising the ordinance and council member Tyler Maxwell’s no vote, the ordinance will be reintroduced at the next council meeting.

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