City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: March 17, 2026
From: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works-City Engineer Department: Public Works
Submitted by: Dulce Gonzalez, Management Analyst
Subject
Sidewalk Vending Regulations
Recommendation
A. Conduct a Public Hearing;
B. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378, as an action for which there is no possibility that the ordinance will have any significant effect on the environment; C. Introduce, read by title only, and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 1311 amending Chapter 12.10 (Sidewalk Vending) of Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places) of the Vernon Municipal Code pertaining to the regulation of sidewalk vending; and D. Direct staff to schedule the adoption for the April 7, 2026, City Council meeting.
Background
On February 15, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1276, which established Chapter
12.10 of the Vernon Municipal Code (VMC) to regulate sidewalk vending in accordance with state mandates. Since then, the California State Legislature has further refined the scope of local authority for permitting and enforcing these activities.
Effective January 1, 2026, California Senate Bill 635 (SB 635) provides revised guidance for local agencies regarding the management of sidewalk vending applications and vendor data.
Salient points in Ordinance No. 1311 pursuant to SB 635:
• Prohibition of Background Checks: Local agencies are now prohibited from requiring fingerprinting or criminal background checks as a condition for receiving or renewing a sidewalk vending permit.
• Immigration Status Protections: The law prohibits cities from inquiring about or collecting any information regarding an applicant’s citizenship or immigration status. • Data Privacy and Disclosure: SB 635 restricts the disclosure of personally identifiable information to third parties or other governmental agencies. Such information can only be released if required by a judicial warrant or a subpoena.
This ordinance aligns the VMC with the mandates of SB 635 by 1) removing the requirement for annual fingerprinting and background checks previously found in VMC Section 12.10.030, 2) further updating definitions to ensure clear legal boundaries, and 3) including determination clauses and specific enforcement restrictions.
A public hearing notice was published on March 5, 2026 for the public hearing on March 17, 2026.
Staff recommends that, on March 17, 2026, the City Council introduce and read the proposed ordinance by title only, and direct staff to waive further reading and schedule the adoption of Ordinance No. 1311 for the April 7, 2026 Council Meeting.
The proposed ordinance has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. The cost of managing the program will be offset by the Sidewalk Vending regulatory fees.
Attachments
1. Ordinance No. 1311
2. Notice of Public Hearing