Coalition to Fight Street-Vending Law

A loose-knit coalition of Valley homeowner groups is circulating a petition against a proposed ordinance that would make street vending legal in some parts of Los Angeles.

Organizers of the drive say they will present the petition to the City Council before it votes on the proposed ordinance later this month.

Opponents of the proposal say it would bring “crime, congestion and blight” to city streets.

“How can we rebuild L.A. when we’ve got them tearing it down with street vending?” said Van Nuys activist Mary Lou Holte, who is leading the petition drive.

There are an estimated 5,000 sidewalk vendors operating without business licenses and health code permits in Los Angeles. An estimated 10% to 20% of those would be granted permits and allowed to operate in the new vending zones.

Proponents of the ordinance say it would allow many of the vendors to maintain their livelihoods while forcing them to operate within the law and adhere to health and safety standards.