LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Local street vendors and advocates voiced concerns to FOX5 that they cannot afford to get a license as the chance to apply finally starts next week.
Advocacy group Make the Road Nevada is helping street vendors across Las Vegas and Clark County apply for licenses and first-year health permits. Members have already heard from street vendors that a number of them will not even attempt to apply for a license to operate legally.
Last week, Clark County approved the licensure process but also passed hotly-debated restrictions that supporters say are necessary for public safety, but critics say could put vendors out of business: ending sales at 9 p.m. and mandating a 500-foot ban by parks and schools.
“I think that a lot of folks are going to view the ordinance as too much of a barrier. There’s going to be multiple licenses. If they are moving around, there’s going to be additional ones as well from Henderson to Las Vegas and North Las Vegas. That’s my worry. Folks do not apply. We want to encourage folks to apply,” said Tony Hernandez with Make the Road Nevada.
It will cost street vendors $150 annually for a business license from Clark County.
Vendors must also obtain a permit from the Southern Nevada Health District. According to SNHD officials, a first-year fee adds up to $863, which includes a $487 one-time plan review fee and an annual permit fee of $376. Senate Bill 92, passed in 2023, mandates an option of payment plans to assist vendors.
There are concerns from some vendors about the need to operate out of commercial kitchens, which would incur additional costs.
“With this restriction that they are doing, for me it’s impossible to get a license, unless it’s a person that is able to sell $1,500 daily,” said Eduardo Moreno, 67, a street food vendor who has worked on the same street corner in the Northeast Valley for 14 years selling elotes. Moreno makes $150 to $180 a day selling servings for $4 each. He tells FOX5 that monthly rent at a commercial kitchen could cost $1,000.
“I am scared, because how am I going to survive? I am the only person that supports my house,” Moreno said. He is the sole provider for his wife and two children.
Clark County held a license workshop Thursday to walk prospective applicants through the licensing process. Another workshop will be held next week.
“We will continue doing outreach events as long as the demand is there,” said Vincent Queano with Clark County Business Licensing. Advocates with Make the Road Nevada do praise county officials for their ongoing outreach efforts with town halls and bilingual informational campaigns.
The workshop can be viewed online here: Street Vendor License workshop
Code enforcement will assist Metro Police and SNHD with license compliance, and fines could reach up to $500.
“I would rather risk a fine than get a permit because it is not going to be possible,” Moreno said.
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