LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Street food vendors in Southern Nevada are stuck in limbo.
In Henderson, a pop-up taco stand was shut down for operating without a permit, but in Clark County, there’s nowhere for street food vendors to get one.
A new state law requires all cities in Clark County and the county itself to come up with a process to issue permits to those wanting to sell but that has not happened yet, leaving vendors to constantly work in fear that at any time they can be shut down and what they are selling can be confiscated.
Henderson Police report responding to a pop-up taco stand on the sidewalk on West Lake Mead Parkway next to Harbor Freight on Wednesday at 11:15 p.m. Officers determined the street vendors were in violation of Henderson City Code for operating without a license and the three people were cited.
Earlier this week, FOX5 reported on the recent surge in the number of nighttime taco stands within the last few months. They can be found at intersections and busy roadways throughout the valley.
Groups who advocate for vendors say they don’t know why there is a sudden surge of this type of street food vendor but like all street food vendors, they are fighting for their rights.
“Hopefully within the near term we can get to a point where street food vendors can operate legally,” said State Senator Fabian Donate, representing District 10 told FOX5. Donate championed a new state law (Senate Bill 92) requiring Clark County and cities within it to come up with rules and regulations for street food vendors. Donate answered street food vendors’ questions at a town hall this week.
“We want an equitable system that is accessible. People want to be able to apply for permits so hopefully with SB92 we will get to a point where that will become a reality,” Donate shared.
Local jurisdictions have until July to start handing out permits. Street food vendors who spoke to FOX5 say they are anxious for that to happen so they can work legally and not be in fear of getting in trouble with law enforcement.
Under Henderson City Code, operating as a mobile food vendor without a license is a misdemeanor. That’s punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, or imprisonment of up to six months, or both.
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
