The Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution Tuesday that effectively places a moratorium on most street vending within city limits to protect Angelenos from the spread of coronavirus. It’s a remarkable development considering the work that went into decriminalizing the practice in 2016 and formally legalizing it two years ago.
A motion to temporarily ban all street vending in the city was introduced by 7th District City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez. Instead, the Council opted unanimously to crack down on vendors without local permits. Because most have not acquired those permits yet, the resolution—which you can read here–effectively bans the practice for many people.
“It’s effectively a moratorium on vending because it has been so difficult for vendors to access the county health permit,” attorney Doug Smith told the Los Angeles Times.
A spokesperson for Councilmember Rodriguez explained it further:
“Councilwoman Rodriguez believes that a full, temporary moratorium on street vending is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. That is why it is referenced in the preamble. However, this would require action by the Governor to supersede State law (SB 946). Therefore, what is in the actual instructions of the motion are directions to the departments for the City to act within its power to enforce unpermitted vending.”