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The topic of street vending has been on my plate since almost the day I started. In March 2024, we received reports of open flames next to the Fox Theatre, along with other concerns raised by business owners and residents. Since then, questions and feedback about street vending have continued to come in.
On February 23, the City Council will hold a study session to talk about regulations for food trucks and sidewalk vendors.
State law around food vending has changed a lot in recent years. California has expanded opportunities for small-scale food businesses, including allowing certain foods to be prepared in home kitchens under specific rules, such as Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) and Cottage Food Operations. The State has also created a permitting pathway for compact food carts and hot dog vendors through Compact Mobile Food Operations (CMFO).
New state laws also limit what cities can regulate. Cities can no longer ban sidewalk vending or limit vendors to a single location. Instead, local regulations must focus on time, place, and manner rules that address things like safety, accessibility, and how public spaces are used.
The February 23 study session is an opportunity for the City Council to review these state law changes, discuss updates to local regulations, and share feedback on next steps. While no formal action will be taken, the discussion will help guide future work, and hearing from the community is an important part of the process.
I invite you to learn more and share your thoughts! You can join online or in-person and provide public comment. The agenda will be posted on February 19 and will include the staff report and more details on the ways to participate. You may also submit written comments by emailing the City Council at Council@RedwoodCity.org.
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