UKIAH, CA., 11/21/25 – The Ukiah City Council this week discussed an ordinance that would enforce rules for street vendors within city limits.
At Wednesday’s meeting, city staff gave a presentation on the proposed ordinance and explained the regulations it would enforce. The purpose of discussing the ordinance was to receive feedback from council members and then staff will introduce a revised version at a future meeting.
The ordinance outlines guidelines to ensure that street vendors operate properly within the city. One of the proposed guidelines would require sidewalk vendors to display a valid business license, vending permit, seller’s permit and, if applicable, a Mendocino County health permit.
Other rules state that stationary sidewalk vendors would not be allowed to operate in residential areas, and that vending carts may not be left unattended. Street vendors also would be prohibited from selling near fire hydrants, driveways, emergency exits, transit stops, schools during operating hours, or at special events and farmers’ markets without formal authorization to participate.
The ordinance describes different kinds of vendors and how they operate, including whether they move to different locations or sell goods in one fixed place.
A sidewalk vendor is a person who sells food or merchandise from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized conveyance on a public sidewalk or pedestrian street. A stationary sidewalk vendor is a sidewalk vendor who usually stays in one set location.
During Wednesday’s meeting, Councilmember Susan Sher spoke about the growing fear among immigrant communities due to the increased arrests of street vendors in California by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during President Donald Trump’s administration.
“There’s such a climate of fear amongst a really repressive political scene these days,” Sher said. “A lot of people may see this ordinance of something of a threat, but I do know that’s not the intent.”
Sher mentioned other city ordinances on street vending and how using those as examples could help improve Ukiah’s future ordinance. Sher referenced Santa Cruz’s street vending ordinance, which she said has language that feels more welcoming of the immigrant community.
“The Santa Cruz one had a really good introduction in the purpose and intent section. It has a friendlier feel and is a bit less bureaucratic,” she said before reading an excerpt from Santa Cruz’s ordinance. “There needs to be something to explain that we need to regulate vendors, but we don’t want to threaten them.”
During the meeting and in an interview, Sher also spoke about Senate Bill 635, a California law that will take effect in January to protect street vendors from having their personal data shared with law enforcement. Sher said that she would like to see the legislation referenced in the ordinance to alleviate fear among street vendors.
“I am concerned that a lot of vendors are very frightened,” she said. “The purpose of this is to protect public health and safety, and economics for the city. But it is also providing public access to desired goods, such as culturally significant food and merchandise. We also don’t want them to have advantage over brick-and-mortar buildings, it’s a delicate balance.”
Adrian Mata, owner of El Mitote Café, a hot pink coffee truck on South State Street in Ukiah, said in a statement that he wants street vendors to feel welcome operating in Ukiah but also wants fair requirements applied to all businesses in the city.
“I fully support street food vendors building their livelihoods, but fairness and public safety require that everyone follow the same health and city regulations,” Mata said. “As a business owner who invests significant time, fees, and equipment to meet these standards, I believe equal compliance is essential to create a truly level playing field.”
City staff will review the feedback from the City Council meeting and return with a revised ordinance in January.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 5:15 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center at 300 Seminary Ave. Residents can also participate virtually via a Zoom link at the top of the agenda when it becomes available. Public comments can be emailed to cityclerk@cityofukiah.com or called in at (707) 463-6217. Meeting agendas can be found at cityofukiah.com/meetings.
Oh please. Let’s eat.
Yes! At your own risk. Mata crying because he can’t offer variety?! Lol
I hope that the city keeps in mind that the vendors bring life and community to otherwise dark and abandoned areas. They deter criminal activity and offer delicious food at great prices. They normally open as the rest of the city’s restaurants close which gives Ukiah awesome options after hours that aren’t big chain fast food joints. They are also great at cleaning their spaces and leaving the area as they found it after they pack up for the night. So many of us, including law enforcement, the fire department, city workers, etc. etc. enjoy having this fresh food option. I really hope they don’t let the very small handful of “concerned citizens” chase away such a great thing for our city and ruin it for the rest of our wonderful community.
Agree!!
Should be regulated like every other business
I tried to open up a food truck in Ukiah and it was super difficult, I gave up when I got scared of it not paying off. I would love to see street food parked all along the Plaza, and people using town like they live there again.
100%. Walmart food is beyond more dangerous now with this degenerate in office!
Everyone needs to follow the rules just like every other restaurant it wouldn’t be fair to them after when they really pay taxes and follow all regulations if you let them operate like this what happens when people get sick and then u can’t get ahold of any of them cuz they won’t have to present IDs later on this is not ok I mean in the summer all the salsas and condiments are just sitting out on a table how is that food safe????
We’re over taxed and under paid. Diff levels of businesses are taxed in other ways. This article literally just said a street vendor would need FOUR different licenses to simply sell food. Do you know how much they would need to pay for ALL FOUR of those? A lot and many don’t have a lot of money, hence selling food on the street. Just because you’re too weak to stand up against tyranny doesn’t mean they should have their constitutional rights trampled on.
Then go get your Walmart food and hope they comply with cdc guidelines 😆 leave people alone to make decisions for themselves!
Anyone who has traveled abroad knows that street food can be risky. For example, while in Jamaica, a friend of mine ate jerk chicken from a street vendor and was sick for a week — his entire vacation was ruined.
The article itself mentions making “special” allowances for pop-up vendors, essentially letting them operate outside the rules and regulations that every other business must follow. That’s rich coming from a state and county that forced restaurants to shut down or comply with extreme health guidelines for nearly two years during COVID, driving many out of business.
So, here’s the real question: if we lower standards for street vendors, do we also lower them for daycares, schools, doctors, dentists, hospitals, barbershops, nail salons? Food safety and public health shouldn’t be negotiable depending on who’s serving it. Either we uphold consistent standards across the board, or we admit that fairness and accountability no longer matter. There are already rules in place for vendors who operate at festivals. Pop-up street vendors are no different, except they appear more frequently. Special consideration should not be given to them — the existing regulations should simply be enforced. Non-compliance should mean shut down, just as it does for restaurants.
To name just a few of the requirements every food business must meet:
Commercial kitchen: inspected and accredited food prep area that meets commercial standards
Handwashing facilities: for both employees and customers
Bathroom facilities: accessible and sanitary
Certified Food Manager and Employee Food Handler certifications
Cleanliness and sanitation: including proper trash removal and rodent control
Proper food storage: dry, refrigerated, and frozen goods
On the administration side, vendors are required to have:
Business License: properly registered and renewed with the city or county
Seller’s Permit: authorization to collect and remit sales tax
Health Department Permits: covering food preparation, handling, and sales
Sales Tax Registration: compliance with state and local tax collection requirements
Insurance Coverage: liability insurance to protect customers and the public
Permission/Rental Agreement from Property Owner: with proof of liability insurance for use of the space
Fire Safety Compliance: adherence to fire codes, including extinguishers and safe equipment setup Employee Documentation: proof of training, certifications
Payroll compliance Recordkeeping: logs of food sources, storage, and safety checks
Compliance Inspections: ongoing verification by health and safety officials
These requirements are not optional — they are the baseline for operating any food business. If brick-and-mortar restaurants must meet these administrative and operational standards, then street vendors should be held to the same level of accountability.
They want to protect the immigrant community by not sharing information to law enforcement. However requiring valid business license, vending permit, and seller’s permit will make it much easier for ICE, as that’s all public information.
The plight of the immigrant community should have no relevance when enforcing food safety and health standards. Administrative requirements are the law for all businesses. If they want to open a business, do it by the book! Their immigration status is a consideration for them personally. If they are afraid, then don’t do it.
Exactly ! And people can choose where to spend their money, too bad it’s that good and people want to contribute to them.(god forbid) I’m trusting Walmart less than the street tacos down the street with this regime telling people Tylenol causes autism 🙄
First time I’ve had my relatively tame comment voicing concern about this removed. Sad that mendovoice doesn’t want opposing views to their agenda… freaking wow.
It’s the best food in Ukiah right now… Dont be scared. Ive worked professionally as a cook for several years of my life. Unlicensed doesn’t mean dirty. Inspection certificates and permits dont mean clean food either. Hand pressed corn tortillas folks! Al Pastor shaved off before your very eyes! And the Quesadilla… dont get me started. Maybe the city could relax some taxes on the other restaurants instead of chasing off legit good food. Kitchens are nasty folks, thats why there’s a swing door. Inspections are few and far between and costs are cut anywhere they can to stay in business.
These flattop stands are out for you to make your own judgment call on cleanliness and quality. If you’re scared of getting sick, dont eat there. Any hint of food borne illness would turn them into ghost stands overnight. If you’re reading this and are on the fence, go and enjoy while you can. These are temporary and each time Ive gone Ive had a fantastic experience. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Do your best to order in Spanish and bring cash. Smiles will follow from all and you’ll have a belly full of phenomenal street food.
That one spot so good they have to invent new laws