Tuesday, September 11, 2012

San Diego Port Enacting New Vendor Ordinance


The Port of San Diego is updating its ordinance regulating performing and vending activities on the San Diego Bay waterfront, including sales of merchandise and services by for-profit, non-profits and individuals on Port District-managed lands.

“One of the key goals of the update is to support an active, vibrant and safe waterfront in a fair and equitable manner,” Board of Port Commissioners Chair Lou Smith said. “The former ordinances were written more than 20 years ago and needed to be updated to reflect the evolution of the waterfront.”

The updated ordinance now clearly defines a list of what items may be vended as expressive activity, creates designated areas and allotted spaces for activities allowed by the ordinance, and regulates the use of those allotted spaces.

Specifically, the updated ordinance consolidates portions of three port ordinances into a single ordinance – Unified Port District Code, Section 8.05 – to regulate public entertainment, commercial, and expressive activities in the port’s jurisdiction, referred to as the Port Tidelands.

It also specifies allowable vending and performer activity, defines various terms relating to vendor and performer activities and regulates the time, place and manner of these activities.

The new ordinance goes into effect Sept. 14, 2012. The rules can be seen and downloaded at the port's website.