Clark County street vendors could face strict regulations | Politics and government

Unlicensed street vendors could have prepared food destroyed by law enforcement and county officials under a proposed ordinance.

The proposed ordinance, which has not yet been formally introduced by county commissioners, sets out requirements and rules for street vendors to operate in Clark County.

The proposal, which was posted on the Department of Business Licensing website on Feb. 22, is the county’s next step toward creating a licensing process for street vendors and bringing the county into compliance with the state law.

Licensing requirements

Among the proposed requirements, the ordinance would require sellers to file an application that includes information about the seller, a description of the products the seller intends to sell, and proof of general liability insurance.

Sellers will be required to carry an insurance policy of $250,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for injury or destruction of property.

Vendors are also required to pay a $150 annual licensing fee, obtain a permit from the Southern Nevada Health District and hold a food handler card.

The health district’s initial permit costs $863, with a $376 fee for renewal the following year, said Nikki Burns-Savage, specialty food operations supervisor at the Southern Nevada Health District.

Sidewalk vendors are currently subject to the same health requirements as outdoor vendors, Burns-Savage said during a panel at the Vegas Chamber on Friday. The only difference is that sidewalk vendors will have the option to pay through a payment plan, which was a requirement of the state bill.

Burns-Savage said health and food safety requirements are a public health issue.

“Our regulations are not arbitrary. They’re not written just to be difficult or for us to be mean,” she said. “We want to be consistent across the board. Our primary goal, the reason we exist, is to prevent foodborne illness. We don’t want anyone to get sick.

Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick, who was also on the panel, echoed that point.

“I’m comfortable being strict in ensuring that public health is our No. 1 priority,” said Kirkpatrick, who serves as chairman of the SNHD board of directors.

John Iannucci, vice president of the Nevada Restaurant Association, said those in the restaurant industry want everyone to be held to the same standards when it comes to food safety.

“We just want the same standard. It has to be the same gold standard across the industry,” John Lannucci, vice president of the Nevada Restaurant Association and chief operating officer of BurgerFi, said during the panel discussion.

Restrictions

The order also sets forth several restrictions on the activities of sidewalk vendors, including the size of their business, periods of time during which they cannot operate, and certain locations where they are prohibited from operating.

The proposed ordinance limits a sidewalk vendor’s operations, including equipment, food and signs, to an area of ​​25 square feet, and limits each vendor to one booth or cart.

The proposal also prohibits sidewalk vendors from operating between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., unless they operate on a permitted construction site or in a commercial place of business with permission from the owner of the site.

Burns-Savage said the health district requires outdoor vendors — which sidewalk vendors are currently considered under its regulations — to provide a letter from the property owner indicating they have permission to operate on property that ‘they want to sell.

The proposed ordinance prohibits vendors from selling non-food items, including alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, cannabis products and weapons, among others. It also prohibits sellers from using sound devices like speakers or dumping trash on private property, among other restrictions.

The first ordinance passed by county commissioners late last year prohibited street vendors from working within 1,500 feet of a resort hotel or near a facility that can accommodate at least 20,000 people, among other areas.

The most recent order also prohibits vendors from operating within 500 feet of several locations, including certain permitted special events, schools during their sessions and any county fair, recreational facility or community center.

Vendors are also prohibited from operating within 150 feet of another sidewalk vendor, licensed food establishment during its hours of operation, establishments are permitted to have 16 or more slot machines and the entry of vehicles into any fire station, police department or hospital.

Additionally, vendors are prohibited from operating within 15 feet of street intersections, public restrooms, bus stops, crosswalks, entrances, exits, or exits. rescue of a building, among others.

Enforcement

Business license enforcement officials and police would be responsible for enforcing the order.

Anyone who violates the order may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 for each violation. A person who violates the law outside of a residential area could be convicted of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail or a $500 fine, or both.

Law enforcement and business licensing employees may also immediately destroy food cooked or prepared by a street vendor who does not have a valid permit issued by the health district.

Comply with state law

Last year, lawmakers passed a law creating a framework for legalizing street food sales. The bill requires local jurisdictions to establish a licensing process for sellers.

Clark County commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance in October prohibiting street vendors from working within 1,500 feet of a resort hotel or near a facility that can accommodate at least 20,000 people , among other areas.

The latest proposed ordinance would bring Clark County into full compliance with the law and is scheduled to take effect July 1.

The bill caused confusion when it took effect this summer, leading to calls to better inform the community about how the licensing process would be rolled out.

The proposed order was posted on the department’s website to solicit comments from business owners and interested parties on whether the proposal would impose a significant economic burden on a business or directly restrict the creation, operation operation or expansion of a business.

The ordinance is expected to be formally presented at the county commission meeting on April 2.

A spokesperson for Make the Road Nevada, a nonprofit that advocates for working-class immigrants and street vendors, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.

Contact Taylor R. Avery at TAvery@reviewjournal.com. Follow @travery98 on X.