Charlotte Council Backs Street Vending Ban as NoDa Pilot Expires

Charlotte City Council members backed a ban on street vending Monday night. The ban would stop vendors across the city except in specific zones that get approval first. But council members split on whether to charge violators with a misdemeanor. They allowed a pilot program in NoDa to end.

City staff showed two photos of what they described as problem vendors. One image displayed puppies being sold in NoDa. The other showed someone cooking hot dogs outside Bank of America Stadium 

"Some vendors are genuinely bad actors," said Councilmember Ed Driggs, according to WSOC-TV.

The proposed rule would restrict street vending to approved spots run by nonprofits in University City, South End, and Uptown. Several council members pushed back against the misdemeanor charge, though.

"Criminal penalties such as putting a misdemeanor will create long-term harm," said Councilmember JD Mazuera Arias.

Councilmember Dimple Ajmera shared those worries. "A criminal penalty could impact other parts of their life," Ajmera said.

The issue returns to the Public Safety Committee to decide on penalties. City staff says the current $500 fine isn't getting paid.

"As we lay out an ordinance to regulate street vending city-wide, we want to create some level of stickiness or teeth," said Councilmember Dante Anderson.

Some members want to look at taking items sold without permits. Councilmember Kimberly Owens pointed out vendors often carry products worth significant money.

"My sense from seeing vendors on the streets is they do have a fair amount of money in their inventory," Owens said.

Councilmember LaWana Slack-Mayfield suggested the city has room to store seized goods. "We got space. We can identify a room," Slack-Mayfield said.

NoDa once had vendors lining the streets every weekend during the pilot program. That permission has now ended. Street vending is illegal there again.