By Robert Haugh

After the pandemic, there was a surge in unpermitted vendors around Levi’s Stadium in the Fall of 2021.

Howard Gibbons (a.k.a. “The Hot Dog Dude”) would regularly attend City Council meetings to complain about how this activity was hurting the business of permitted vendors like him. 

But State law SB 946 prohibits California cities from banning sidewalk vendors unless they establish a permitting system consistent with health, safety, and welfare concerns.

So at the urging of former City Councilmember Kathy Watanabe who represented the Northside at the time, the City created a pilot permitting program in September 2023 that finished last month.

The pilot program regulated sidewalk vending near the stadium, waiving fees for qualified vendors during event days. This program aimed to address health and safety concerns while aligning with SB 946.

According to Police Department Staff, the pilot program was successful in addressing key safety and health concerns. 

Working with County Health Department Staff, they regulated unpermitted vendors, reducing risks like unsafe food handling and obstruction of pathways. 

The City Council voted unanimously to make the program permanent.