Vending in Parks, Plazas, and Beach Areas
San Diego Municipal Code § 36.0107
in effect§36.0107 Vending in Parks, Plazas, and Beach Areas
The following provisions apply in parks, plazas, and beach areas. Where the following provisions are more restrictive than those set forth in section 36.0106, sidewalk vendors shall comply with the more restrictive provisions:
(a) Sidewalk vendors shall stop vending before the designated closing time of the park, plaza, or beach area.
(b) Vending is permitted between 8:00 a.m. and sunset in parks, plazas, and beach areas where there is no designated closing time.
(c) Sidewalk vendors shall not vend within 50 feet of another sidewalk vendor.
(d) Sidewalk vendors shall not vend within 25 feet of any decorative fountain, statue, monument, memorial, or art installation.
(e) Subject to applicable law, the City Manager is authorized to enact rules and regulations to prohibit vending in any space that would obstruct, damage or otherwise adversely affect the public’s use and enjoyment of natural resources and recreation opportunities or contribute to an undue concentration of commercial activity that unreasonably interferes with the scenic and natural character of a park.
(f) Stationary sidewalk vendors are not permitted within any area of a park or plaza if the park or plaza operator has signed an agreement for concessions that exclusively permits the sale of goods or services by a specified concessionaire, provided that notice by signage or other means is provided to the stationary sidewalk vendor.
(g) Vending activities are prohibited in the following locations in Balboa Park:
(1) within 25 feet of: El Prado, Village Place, Pan American Road East, Pan American Road West, Pan American Plaza, Old Globe Way, Chapel Road, Spanish Village, Plaza de Panama, Plaza de California, Plaza de Balboa, War Memorial Building, the Carousel, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Presidents Way, or any covered walkway.
(2) within 25 feet of the following gardens: 1935 Old Cactus Garden, Alcazar Garden, Casa del Rey Moro Garden, Desert Garden, Florida Canyon Native Plant Preserve, Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, Marston House Garden, Palm Canyon, Trees for Health Garden, Veterans Memorial Garden, and Zoro Garden.
(3) within 50 feet of the Botanical Building or Lily Pond.
(4) within Balboa Park between December 25 and January 1.
(h) Consistent with applicable law, the City Manager has the authority to reasonably limit the number of sidewalk vendors in certain parks by requiring sidewalk vendors to obtain an additional park sales permit to vend in the following locations: Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, Ocean Beach Park, Mission Beach Park, Kellogg Park, Ocean Boulevard Park, Ellen Browning Scripps Park, South Mission Beach Park, and Torrey Pines City Park.
(i) Vending is prohibited during the summer moratorium in Balboa Park, Mission Bay Park, and the Shoreline Parks, which are those parks contiguous to the shoreline or beach in the communities of Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla.
(j) Vending is prohibited in the following locations: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park and Mission Beach Park as defined in section 63.50 of this Code.
(k) Sidewalk vendors shall not use amplified or non-amplified sound-making devices in conjunction with vending, such as speakers, microphones, public address systems, bells, and chimes.
(“Vending in Public Parks, Plazas, and Beach Areas” added 5-23-2022 by O-21459 N.S.; effective 6-22-2022.)
(Retitled from “Vending in Public Parks, Plazas, and Beach Areas” to “Vending in Parks, Plazas, and Beach Areas” and amended 2-28-2024 by O-21775 N.S.; effective 3-29-2024.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter03/Ch03Art06Division01.pdf#page=13Fetched: 10/28/2026