Pismo Beach City Council approves temporary ordinance regulating street vendors

PISMO BEACH, Calif. - The Pismo Beach City Council voted Tuesday night to approve an urgency ordinance regarding street vendors around the pier and on the beach.

With more people enjoying the outdoors at Pismo Beach during the pandemic, more street vendors are starting to sell to beachgoers. The city saw huge numbers of vendors on labor day weekend.

Pismo Beach has received more complaints about vendors around the plaza, pier and the beach in recent weeks. Those complaints came from both businesses and visitors.

"Due to weather inland and because we have beautiful scenery that we're fortunate to enjoy here in Pismo Beach, that's why we're seeing the proliferation of vendors," said Jorge Garcia, management services director for the city of Pismo Beach.

Under the ordinance, there will be no vending allowed on the pier, plaza or beach. Vendors cannot sell within 500 feet of farmers markets or special events.

It would restrict the times vendors could sell to between 7 in the morning to 8 at night. Vendors must also display a business license, and renew it every year.

The city has not heard feedback from vendors yet and no one gave public comments regarding the ordinance in the city council meeting.

Some visitors we talked to agree with the ordinance. Others said that vendors add to the enjoyment and culture of the beach area.

The ordinance will go into effect Wednesday. It will stay in effect for the next 45 days. At that point, the city council can decided to make any changes and vote on a more permanent ordinance.