Title
Introduction of Ordinance Amending the Alameda Municipal Code by Adding Article XIX (Sidewalk Vending) of Chapter VI (Businesses, Occupations and Industries) to Establish Regulations for Sidewalk Vending and by Making Related Conforming Amendments; and
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of a Resolution Amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to Add a Sidewalk Vendor Permit Fee to the Fee Schedule for Public Works.
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the common sense exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). (City Manager 10021030)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Over the last few years, there has been an increase of sidewalk vendors throughout the City of Alameda (City) and at annual events such as Christmas Tree Lane and the Art and Wine Faire hosted by Downtown Alameda. In January 2025, as part of the City Strategic Plan annual update, City Council added a project to "Add a Street Vendor Ordinance" (CS33) under the priority to Enhance Community Safety and Services. The proposed ordinance creates a framework and permit process to regulate and enforce non-motorized sidewalk vending in the public right of way and other public property of the City in compliance with California State Law, SB 946, enacted in 2019 and known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act.
BACKGROUND
An interdepartmental team collaborated to create the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance and included the City Manager's Office, Public Works Department, Planning, Building and Transportation Department, Police Department and Base Reuse and Economic Development Department. Staff reviewed city ordinances from Dublin, Hayward and Santa Monica to develop the proposed Sidewalk Vending Ordinance (Ordinance).
SB946 is a California state law enacted as of January 2019 that decriminalizes sidewalk vending and allows cities to establish a permit system within a sp...
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