THOUSAND OAKS : Ordinance Would Limit Vendor Hours

The Thousand Oaks City Council on Tuesday will consider adopting an ordinance that would restrict the hours street vendors can operate and require them to stay away from major freeways and busy intersections.

Vendors are already required to have a business license from the city and a health permit from the county, officials said.

In a written report to the council, City Atty. Mark G. Sellers is proposing to restrict the hours vendors can operate from 9 a.m. to sunset.

The ordinance would also require vendors to remain “a designated distance” from schools and churches, but the city’s report does not specify how far.

Vendors should also remain at least 100 feet away from intersections, according to the report.

The ordinance would also require vendors to get insurance when using public property.

The city has also proposed that the vendors be charged an as yet unspecified fee to cover the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s costs of investigating violations.

Code enforcement officers have received complaints about street vendors from other business owners, who say they cause traffic hazards.

Vendors argue that they rely on a certain amount of traffic for business.

One councilman said that although he does not want the rules to drive away business, he does not object to regulating street vendors for health and safety reasons.

“I wouldn’t want to see someone get sick from eating hot dogs on the street,” Councilman Frank Schillo said.