[This article has been updated with additional information from Signal Hill City Manager Carlo Tomaino and the City of Long Beach.]
An ordinance was introduced to the Signal Hill City Council on Tuesday that would allow city officials to impound the carts, equipment and merchandise of street vendors who aren’t in compliance with the City’s codes.
Signal Hill’s Sidewalk Vending Program requires street vendors to obtain a permit from the City, be insured and limit their operations in areas such as government facilities, public parks, houses of worship and schools.
Since street vending was decriminalized in California in 2019, Signal Hill is not allowed to subject street vendors to criminal penalties. The City has relied on issuing citations to noncompliant and unlicensed street vendors since then.
If this ordinance were to pass, city officials will be able to impound carts, food, cooking equipment, utensils, goods, or merchandise that are deemed to pose “an imminent environmental, health, or safety hazard.”
City staff said there have been instances of street vendors blocking sidewalks, operating without licenses, having unsanitary conditions and leaving trash and food waste on streets and sidewalks.
City officials designated to impound vending equipment under the proposed ordinance would include code enforcement officers, Public Works inspectors, police officers, firefighters and fire prevention specialists or examiners.
Street vendors will be able to appeal city officials’ decision to impound their carts and equipment in order to potentially get their possessions back. However, impounded food will be thrown away.
Street vendors will be required to pay a fee to appeal an impoundment, but the fee may be refunded if the street vendor is found to be in the right. The ordinance makes no mention of reimbursement for food thrown away if a vendor successfully appeals an impoundment.
The ordinance was introduced for the first time on Tuesday, will be voted on by Signal Hill City Council on Aug. 27, and, if passed, would go into effect on Sept. 27.
Signal Hill’s current street vending ordinance differs from the City of Long Beach’s sidewalk vending ordinance which went into effect in January. Long Beach’s sidewalk vending ordinance allowed city officials to impound equipment and merchandise, but enforcement of these penalties didn’t begin until July 22.
Signal Hill’s street vending ordinance does not currently allow a street vendor’s possessions to be impounded. However, City Manager Carlo Tomaino said the City of Signal Hill will continue to educate vendors about local laws and permit requirements on a case-by-case basis before impounding their equipment, even after the updated ordinance goes into effect on Sept. 27.
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