The ordinance took effect Friday, and many food vendors say they’re optimistic.
STOCKTON, Calif. — After months of debate, public input and warnings, a new ordinance regulating street vendors is officially in effect in Stockton, reshaping how food sellers operate in some of the city’s most culturally significant spaces.
At Angel Cruz Park, a haze lingered long after the morning fog lifted. For generations, the park has been a gathering place for culture, food and music, and this weekend it also became a testing ground for the city’s new food vendor rules. Saturday marked just the second day the ordinance was in effect.
Among the vendors preparing for the weekend was Shirly Chanthavong, who recently opened South East Street Grills with her husband.
“Right now, we’re just setting the foundation in hopes of maybe owning a small shop,” Chanthavong said. “We did a lot just to get where we are now. We had been planning this for about three months before we opened up.”
As vendors adjust, the new rules have brought concern, particularly for those navigating permits and paperwork with language barriers.
“I know there’s a lot of people who are worried,” Chanthavong said. “There’s a lot of talk about how they’re going to go about the papers… especially with a language barrier.”
That concern has prompted help from community volunteers like Prany Kasem, who began advocating for vendors while the ordinance was being drafted and is now assisting them with applications.
“I’m a genocide survivor from Cambodia war, and most of these people are the same, we came from the same walks of life,” Kasem said. “In order to support someone, I feel like I’m paying it forward.”
Kasem said she has already helped vendors begin complying with the new requirements and several more asked her for applications on Saturday.
“Since (Friday), I’ve done five new licenses and permits already,” Kasem said. “I’m sure starting next month, most of these vendors are going to have because they all want, everyone wants to comply and abide.”
Despite some anxiety, many vendors see the ordinance as a positive step.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Chanthavong said. “It’s a good thing for the city.”
City leaders say that reaction from vendors is why they consider the ordinance a success.
“Our code was so old, it said street vending wasn’t allowed,” said Stockton City Council member Mario Enriquez. “The ordinance makes it easier for folks because now, there’s clearly defined rules that are doable for the street vendor. The neighbors now know what should be enforced or not.”
The 15-page ordinance outlines how close vendors can be to one another, what equipment they can use, how much sidewalk space they can occupy and what hours they are allowed to operate.
The average cost for food vendors to get a permit in Stockton is about $138, including a fee to set up in city parks. Enforcement of the new ordinance will be complaint-based.
For vendors like Chanthavong, the changes represent more than regulation.
“It’s a win for the community in itself to be able to have food vendors,” Chanthavong said.
At Angel Cruz Park, visitors say the haze from grills and fog is nothing new. But beneath it, there is a new feeling taking shape.
“Now they feel confidence,” Chanthavong said. “This way, people have trust.”
Watch more from ABC10: New rules, punishments could impact Stockton Street Vendors: What You Need to Know