Sidewalk vendors urged to learn about Salt Lake rules

Salt Lake City officials are encouraging sidewalk vendors and their customers to assist one another in becoming better informed about required permitting and licensing procedures for such businesses.

The action stems from reports that a "significant number" of Salt Lake City residents are operating sidewalk vending businesses without appropriate permits and licenses, according to a city press release.

Vendors of food and beverages, inflated balloons, flowers and daily or monthly news publications may conduct business on a sidewalk, provided they sell products from a vending cart, operate in an approved location and obtain necessary permits and licenses.

Sidewalk vendors are not permitted to operate west of 900 West, north of North Temple, south of 900 South or east of 200 East. The only exceptions are city parks and the Sugar House business district, which is at 2100 South from 900 East to 1300 East, Highland Drive between Ramona Avenue and I-80, and Wilmington Avenue from Highland Drive to 1300 East.

Those wishing to sell products on a sidewalk must obtain a business license from the city's Business Services and Licensing Division and a location permit from the city's Property Management Division.

Vendors wanting to sell food or beverages must also obtain a food handler's permit from the Salt Lake County Health Department and are subject to additional requirements under city code. The city will not issue a business license to an applicant who desires to sell food until the applicant obtains a food handler's permit and a location permit.