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A PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 FEE SCHEDULE FOR STREET AND SIDEWALK VENDORS
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve a Resolution to amend the FY 2025-26 Fee Schedule to incorporate new and to update fees for street and sidewalk vendor licensing and enforcement, consistent with the 2025-12-16-1212 Ordinance.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take all appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of the ordinances and resolution.
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Summary
On December 16, 2025, City Council approved and adopted Ordinance 2025-12-16-1212 to the Stockton Municipal Code (SMC) regulating street and sidewalk vendors to ensure compliance with State law. The Stockton Police Department (SPD) now returns to City Council to conduct the required Public Hearing and to consider adoption of amendments to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Fee Schedule related to street and sidewalk vendor enforcement (Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, and Exhibit 3 of the Resolution). Adoption of the fee schedule amendments is necessary to fully implement and enforce the updated SMC provisions codified in Chapters 5.106, 5.08, 8.70, 8.56, and 12.56, and the repeal of Chapter 12.76.
DISCUSSION
Background
Senate Bill 946 (2018) and Senate Bill 972 (2022) changed how street vending is regulated throughout California. These State laws were enacted to promote entrepreneurship and expand economic opportunities while maintaining public health and safety. Senate Bill 946 standardized enforcement actions for street vending violations by limiting penalties to administrative fines and prohibiting the use of misdemeanor charges that could disproportionately impact vendors. Senate Bill 972 established Compact Mobile Food Operations as a distinct category of vendors, recognizing their unique operational characteristics compared to traditional food trucks and carts. Together, these laws clarified that cities may not categorically prohibit vending in public spaces such as parks and sidewalks, while still allowing reasonable time, place, and manner regulations to address issues related to congestion, safety, and access. In addition, Senate Bill 946 established specific licensing and permitting requirements to ensure vendors are properly authorized while streamlining processes to reduce barriers to entry.
On May 13, 2025, SPD presented proposed amendments to the SMC along with proposed fees and penalties at a noticed Public Hearing (2025-05-13-1602). At that meeting, City Council did not approve the proposed ordinances or fee schedule and directed staff to conduct additional community outreach and return to a future Council Meeting.
Following additional review, committee discussions, Council Member feedback, and coordination with vendors, SPD returned to City Council on December 16, 2025, with updated municipal code amendments. An item was presented as part of the consent agenda and included only the municipal code amendments. The associated fees and penalties were intentionally excluded and identified for consideration at a future Public Hearing. City Council approved and adopted Ordinance 2025-12-16-1212, thereby adopting the updated street and sidewalk vendor regulations into the SMC.
Present Situation
With Ordinance 2025-12-16-1212 adopted and in effect, the SPD is returning to City Council to conduct the required Public Hearing and consider adoption of the associated fee schedule amendments, including adoption of a new Public Property Use Fee. Adoption of the fee schedule is necessary to implement monetary penalties and fully enforce the street and sidewalk vendor regulations previously approved by Council.
Street vending provides economic benefits by supporting entrepreneurship, expanding consumer access to goods and services, and contributing to the vibrancy of public spaces. Concurrently, increased vending activity is creating operational challenges, including traffic congestion, parking impacts, trash accumulation, and damage to public infrastructure in high-use areas.
Adoption of the proposed fees will allow the City to address these challenges by enabling consistent enforcement of the approved regulations. The fee schedule supports compliance, cost recovery, and responsible use of public spaces while maintaining a balance between economic opportunity for vendors and the protection of public health, safety, and community interests.
Publication
The Notice for this public hearing was published in The Record on January 2, 2026.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Following adoption of the Street Vendor Ordinance, changes to the adopted fee schedule are required. The FY 2025-26 proposed fee amendments include:
• First Offense of Violation SMC 5.106.040 - $250
• Second Offense of Violation SMC 5.106.040 - $500
• Repeated failure to comply with SMC 5.106.040 within a single calendar year - $1,000
• First Offense of Violation SMC 8.70.110(A) - $100
• Second Offense of Violation SMC 8.70.110(A) - $200
• Repeated failure to comply with SMC 8.70.110(A) within a single calendar year - $400
• First Offense of Violation SMC 8.70.110(B) - $250
• Second Offense of Violation SMC 8.70.110(B) - $500
• Repeated failure to comply with SMC 8.70.110(B) within a single calendar year - $1,000
• Public Property Use Fee (Exhibit 3) - $60