Monterey approves stricter sidewalk vending rules
MONTEREY – The Monterey City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve tighter regulations on sidewalk vending throughout the city, particularly in high-traffic areas like Cannery Row and the waterfront near Wharf 1.
The updated ordinance limits where and when vendors can operate, citing pedestrian congestion, emergency access and public safety concerns. Vendors will now be required to be at least 10 feet away from other vendors and infrastructure like driveways and crosswalks, and at least 25 feet from wharf entrances, beach access points and the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Equipment is restricted to certain dimensions, and the use of items like portable generators, wood-burning ovens and helium balloons is banned.
With these changes in place, city staff say about 13 vendors will be able to set up on the Wharf on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The ordinance also prohibits vending on or along the Recreation Trail and Simoneau Transit Plaza, and restricts vending on sidewalks between the Harbormaster’s Office and Wharf 1. Roaming sidewalk vending in residential areas is limited to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and vending hours in nonresidential zones are capped at 10 p.m.
The move came after pushback from several sidewalk vendors, who say little to none of their ideas were included in the proposed changes.
Mayor Tyller Williamson acknowledged the concerns shared by vendors but stood by the decision.
“It’s disappointing to see how we got here, and that there wasn’t a greater effort to collaborate and find common ground,” Williamson said. “I appreciate the stories being shared about the livelihoods of the vendors. This isn’t being prejudiced. I’ve walked by that area and seen huge crowds and had trouble walking by.”
City staff previously rejected vendor requests for expanded hours and vending along the seawall, citing safety concerns and limited space for pedestrians, bikers and emergency vehicles.
Council member Ed Smith agreed, saying there needs to be a set of rules and regulations in place in order for the vending space to operate smoothly and safely.
“We’ve had ambiguity in the area,” Smith said. “As much as city staff and this council has tried to figure this out, we have limited space and if we were to go to larger vendor space, we would be forced to reduce the number of vendors, so this is a compromise.”
The ordinance reflects alignment with state laws, including Senate Bill 946 and anticipated changes under Senate Bill 635, which, if passed, would prohibit background checks for vendors. Some sections of the city code will be repealed or updated if SB 635 becomes law.
The revised rules will take effect 30 days from adoption.
