Las Vegas plan would require health card, permit for sidewalk vendors

Sidewalk vendors would be required to have a health permit, health card and a business license certificate under a new bill proposed by Las Vegas City Council.

Sidewalk vendors are defined as any person who sells food, beverage or merchandise from a public sidewalk or pedestrian path.

This bill, sponsored by Councilwoman Olivia Diaz, would not apply to food trucks as they fall under the definition of mobile food vendors, according to the city’s municipal code.

According to the proposed bill, sidewalk vendors are not allowed to operate within 500 feet of a special event designated by city council.

Sidewalk vendors are not allowed to sell within 1,000 feet of a gaming establishment, a pedestrian mall or the Downtown Entertainment Overlay District, which is a part of downtown that the city intends to redevelop for commercial use.

Vendors cannot operate withing 1,000 feet of a school during school hours.

For those violating the ordinance, they face fines of up to $1,000 and a misdemeanor charge.

Senate Bill 92, which emerged from the 2023 Nevada legislative session, required all municipalities within Clark County and Washoe County to enact ordinances on sidewalk vendors.

Las Vegas’ proposed ordinance comes after Henderson and North Las Vegas passed their own ordinances.

Most notably, Henderson’s ordinances are the most strict, preventing any sidewalk vendor from operating at one location for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Las Vegas is set to vote on the ordinance on Aug. 21.

Contact Annie Vong at avong@reviewjournal.com.