Manteca is gearing up for a crackdown on rogue food vendors on sidewalks.

At the same time, they will be making sure food truck operators as well as sidewalk/street vendors all have the proper permits — and in the case when they are on public sidewalks — insurance coverage for the city.

Mayor Gary Singh said the undertaking is aimed at assuring public health and safety.

And to give it teeth, code enforcement will be working with the San Joaquin County Public Health Department that has the immediate power to close down vendors violating health requirement in the enforcement effort.

The education/enforcement sweep is designed to make sure the food vendors are not posing a risk to public safety and health but also comply with tax collection laws and permit requirements as do brick and mortar businesses.

Singh hopes the effort will take place on a quarterly basis starting this year.

The mayor said he has noticed an uptick in vendors creating traffic safety visibility issues near intersections and even blocking sidewalks.

The city ordinance clearly states where sidewalk vendors are not permitted including within 15 feet of:

*a crosswalk, marked or unmarked sidewalk.

*a fire hydrant.

*the entrance or exit to a building.

*an outdoor dining or patio area.

*another sidewalk vendor.

*a transit shelter or bench.

*the entrance or exit to an alley or a parking lot.

*an automatic teller machine.

Singh said the enforcement effort will also include educating vendors by checking to see if they have met — or are aware of municipal requirements that includes holding a sales tax permit from the state, a city permit, and insurance coverage for the city.

The biggest problem with sidewalk vendors is crowding intersections by not following city requirements. In doing so, they create sightline issues that poses traffic safety issues.

The other is failure to allow the minimum required passage on sidewalks — a path that is at least four feet wide — as established by federal Americans with Disabilities standards.

Food trucks also have rules they must follow to move.

The city, in the past, has forced food trucks that created traffic issues.

Municipal rules address operating hours along with what they cannot do including setting up on unimproved property such as at the corner of Louise Avenue and Airport Way even if they have the property owner’s permission.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com