Sidewalk vendor location regulations.
Riverside Municipal Code § 5.38.115
in effect5.38.115 - Sidewalk vendor location regulations.
A. Hours of operation - Sidewalk vendors shall only operate between the hours of sunrise and sunset in residential only areas, and sunrise to midnight in all other areas.
B. No sidewalk vendor shall be located in a fixed location on any residential street, including parkways or sidewalks. Sales may be made on residential streets from sidewalk vendors that continually move from place to place and stop only for the period of time, not to exceed 30 minutes at any one place, necessary to make bona fide sales to purchasers, subject to the provisions of this Code.
C. No sidewalk vendor shall be located in any location that creates an obstruction to the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or to the access to public streets and sidewalks, or that creates a hazard to life or property.
D. No sidewalk vendor shall be located in any location that obstructs traffic signals or regulatory signs.
E. No sidewalk vendor shall be located within 15 feet of any fire hydrant or escape, or within 50 feet of any vehicle entrance of any fire station, police department, hospital, or any other structure involved in health and safety emergency matters.
F. No sidewalk vendor shall be located within 15 feet of any loading zone, bus stop, or parking space or access ramp designed for persons with disabilities.
G. Sidewalk vending is prohibited within any designated bikeway, bike lane, or bicycle parking area.
H. No sidewalk vendor shall obstruct access to public infrastructure, including parking meters, parking pay stations, shared mobility parking zones, waste receptacles, crosswalk pedestrian push buttons, and public furniture.
I. Sidewalk vending shall be prohibited adjacent to any portion of the curb designated as a passenger, commercial, or school loading zone via signage and/or curb markings.
J. Sidewalk vendors shall maintain an unobstructed four-foot walking path at all times.
K. Sidewalk vending is prohibited in the center median of any street.
L. Sidewalk vending is prohibited within 200 feet of an area designated for a temporary special permit, provided that any notice, business interruption mitigation, or other rights provided to affected businesses or property owners under the temporary special permit are also provided to any sidewalk vendors specifically permitted to operate in the area, if applicable. For purposes of this paragraph, a temporary special permit is a permit issued for the temporary use of, or encroachment on, the sidewalk or other public area, including, but not limited to, an encroachment permit, special event permit, or temporary event permit, for purposes including, but not limited to, filming, parades, or outdoor concerts. A prohibition of sidewalk vendors pursuant to this paragraph shall only be effective for the limited duration of the temporary special permit.
(Ord. 7529 §2, 2020; Ord. 7129 § 3, 2011; Ord. 6656 § 3, 2003)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT5BU_CH5.38SIVE_5.38.115SIVELOREFetched: 11/1/2026