Beaumont Cracks Down On Street Vendors Who Don't Play Fair

BEAUMONT, CA — A 2018 state law that legalized street vending did not come without rules, and the public's help is now being sought to monitor the increasing presence of street vendors in Beaumont.

"For some, the vendors are a welcome addition to the city, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to establish small businesses to support their families, while also serving their communities. For some, the change in law may be seen as a nuisance and an unfair advantage over brick-and-mortar locations [that] pay for permits, taxes and all the overhead that comes with running a business," Beaumont police reported last week.

"Regardless of the arguments on both sides, the law prohibits the city from denying their operation, as long as they are meeting the conditions required ...," the department continued.

State Senate Bill 946, otherwise known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, decriminalizes street vending, but the vendors must still obtain a license to operate and any required health certificates. Additionally, the vendors are limited to certain locations and hours of operation, as well as some other conditions.

According to Beaumont police, there has been an influx of street vendors in the city and many are operating outside the conditions mandated in Beaumont Municipal Code 5.66 and SB 946.

"Complaints have been received about many of those operations," police said.

The city is attempting to crack down on street vendors who don't meet the required conditions. Residents are being asked to assist in the effort by:

1. Noticing whether current city of Beaumont business licenses are displayed on vendor carts.

2. Noticing whether current Riverside County Department of Health Certifications are displayed on vendor carts (applicable to food vendors only).

3. Not doing business with vendors who do not have proper licenses and certifications.

4. Encouraging friends and family to only do business with properly licensed and compliant vendors.

"These simple steps will help to support the vendors who have taken the extra steps to ensure they are in compliance with the law, as well as discourage vendors who operate illegally from continuing to do business in the city," the police department said.

Reports of illegal or unauthorized vendors can be forwarded to the city's Code Enforcement at CodeEnforcement@beaumontca.gov

To report health or safety violations as it relates to the serving/distribution of food, contact the local Environmental Health office at RivCoEh.org

Information or questions regarding sidewalk vending in Beaumont can be requested at CodeEnforcement@beaumontca.gov