The days of freeloading by vendors not paying space fees at street fairs that feed off those going to and from such events may be numbered.

The Manteca City Council when they meet tonight at 6 p.m. will consider changing an ordinance regulating street vendors to prevent them from infringing on street fairs.

The ordinance change would prohibit street vendors and food trucks from being within 500 feet of street fairs and similar events. The current ordinance requires them to be 50 feet away, which is essentially across the street.

The ordinance change, if it is passed tonight and has a successful second reading, will not be going into effect until after this year’s Manteca Chamber of Commerce Street Fair and Watermelon Festival on June 6-7 in downtown.

Non-chamber vendors for the two-day event pay $240 for a crafts booth, $310 for a commercial booth and $490 for a food booth or truck.

The plan prohibiting sidewalk vendors and others from cashing in on organized events will also apply to:

*Music om Maple and similar events.

*Permitted certified farmers’ markets and swap meets.

*An area designated for a special event such as at Library Park or private property that require city permits.

*Near city recreational and athletic facilities such as soccer fields, baseball/softball diamonds, community centers, tennis courts, and more.

*Any public restroom facility.

*Any outdoor exercise equipment, playground areas, or picnic areas in city parks whenever they are open.

That means ice cream vendors would no longer be able to pull into Woodward Park and park curbside by the drop-off areas during organized events, soccer matches, or any time the park is open to the public.

The city’s proposed ordinance change reflects a 500-foot distance rule that is in place in many nearby cities.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com