VENTURA : Street Flower Sales Permits on Agenda
Street flower vendors will be allowed to operate legally in Ventura if the City Council approves an updated zoning ordinance at its meeting today.
The proposed ordinance would allow the “bucket people” who peddle primroses and posies on street corners to sell cut flowers or live plants on private property if they get a permit from the city, officials said.
Florists have complained that the bucket people cut into their business and sell inferior flowers at cut-rate prices. About eight to 12 street flower vendors are in the city on any given day, said Everett Millais, director of community development.
Technically, the bucket people are illegally selling their flowers now, but the city doesn’t go to great lengths to enforce the code, Millais said.
Suzanne Smeerdjk, who works at the French Flower Market, said she does not think that an ordinance would make much difference.
“They’re selling now without a license, so I don’t think they’ll get a license if an ordinance is passed,” she said.
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