LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – New rules took effect Tuesday for street food vendors looking to do business in Clark County. For the first time, they now have a pathway to operate legally and get permits, but there are restrictions they must abide by and fees they must pay. Among requirements, they need three permits.
There is a state business license which comes with a $200 annual fee. They’ll also need a county business license which runs $150 a year. Plus, a one-time $45 application fee. Third, they’ll need a permit from the Southern Nevada Health District. There’s a one-time fee of just under $500. Plus, an annual fee of $376 dollars.
Altogether, that adds up to more than $1,200 in fees for the first year. It’s a figure that has advocates helping the vendors concerned and some street vendors who want to operate legally saying they simply don’t have that kind of money.
Monday night, FOX5 reported how we could no longer find any street food vendors on the Strip after the VGK game starting our search all the way at the Welcome Sign. With new regulations in place, some vendors tell FOX5 they are scared to go out.
Luis Sanchez makes his living setting up a food stand on the street in North Las Vegas.
“He felt really nervous, he felt really bad. He came out today knowing that the Clark County ordinance was in effect, but he was continuing his day as any street vendor here,” translated Robert Garcia, Lead Organizer for Make the Road Nevada as Sanchez explained what was going on to FOX5. Sanchez called the advocacy group for help when he noticed he was being watched.
“The representative from Make the Road Nevada saw how they put their window down, took pictures of the vendor and took videos,” Garcia reported.
Since Sanchez is now operating without a permit, he is scared of fines up to $500 per violation, even jail time. Sanchez does plan on applying for the necessary permits but says he will have to save up the money first. “Is it going to be very difficult to get of course, and this is something that is very worrisome for him and street vendors alike. These regulations are much harder than he expected,” said Garcia on Sanchez’s behalf.
“Do they really think these vendors are making big income? They are not,” argued Gloria Garcia. Seeing Make the Road advocates on the street, she also stopped to ask for help. She sells shaved ice but says she doesn’t make enough to pay for permits.
“I sat out there all day Saturday, only sold four shaved ice purchases, that was it,” Gloria Garcia recounted. Make the Road says while vendors are glad to have a path to finally legally operate, it is filled with hurdles some will not be able to overcome.
“It is going to cause a lot of street vendors to double think, are they going to be street vendors or should they start looking for a second job?,” Robert Garcia questioned.
Clark County tells FOX5, as of 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, they did not receive any official applications for sidewalk vending on the Clark County Business License website or in-person. However, there were between 20 to 30 in-person inquiries.
Tutorials on the permit process are available on the County’s website in both English and Spanish. The county also has representatives to help applicants through their website and in-person. They will also be hosting a workshop Thursday, May 9th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clark County Government Center.
Here is a link with more information: SIDEWALK VENDOR BUSINESS LICENSE INFORMATION
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
