We are San Diego small businesses. Many of these businesses are minority, immigrant, veteran, women, LGBTQ+ , and/or family owned and operated. We have invested our savings, time, and years of hard work into businesses that support our families, employ local people, and serve our neighborhoods.

Majority of the businesses affected are near the coast and depend heavily on summer tourism. During the slower months, we still  pay rent, utilities, insurance, taxes, permit fees, and wages. We often lose money during these months as we work to keep our doors open and retain good employees. We carry these costs throughout the year with the hope of making up for them during the summer.

We are not large corporations with multiple locations, national supply chains, or large financial reserves. We do not have other locations to fall back on when business is slow. Even a small drop in summer sales can make a significant difference at the end of the year.

Our businesses provide personal service, local knowledge, and specialized products and services that larger corporations may not offer. When a local business struggles or closes, the loss affects its owners, employees, customers, and neighborhood.

We understand that sidewalk vendors are also working to support themselves and their families. This petition is not against lawful vendors or anyone’s right to earn a living. We are simply asking for clear rules and a fair playing field for everyone.

San Diego adopted its Sidewalk Vending Ordinance in 2022. The ordinance established permit, location, safety, and operating requirements, but the City has not provided clear guidance or consistent enforcement. When I contacted the Park Rangers for help, supervisors told me they had been instructed not to issue citations or enforce the ordinance.

This leaves storefront businesses, lawful vendors, residents, and visitors uncertain about the rules and who is responsible for enforcing them. It can also lead to blocked public spaces, conflict, lost sales, and unfair competition.

Our request is simple: We ask the City to identify the department responsible for enforcement, confirm or deny in writing whether a non-enforcement directive exists, publish clear guidance, and begin enforcing the ordinance fairly and consistently.

Please sign this petition if you agree that San Diego should have clear rules, accountable enforcement, safe public spaces, and a fair opportunity for lawful vendors and local businesses.

This petition is to shed light on the very real hardship local businesses and lawful vendors are enduring, not to dismiss or minimize the legal challenges facing the City. We understand that the City is dealing with ongoing litigation and that this may affect how officials approach enforcement. However, the lawsuit does not mean local businesses should be expected to continue bearing the financial burden caused by inadequate enforcement and City services. We are asking City officials to hear us, meet with us, and provide a clear path forward. If our concerns continue to go unanswered, affected businesses may have no choice but to explore formal legal remedies, including potential litigation and requests for reimbursement or other relief for the State and City taxes we continue to collect and pay while the corresponding enforcement and public services we rely upon are not being adequately provided. We would much rather have our elected City officials address and resolve this issue urgently and decisively than see it escalate into litigation. Our preference is to resolve this cooperatively and rapidly. Our goal is not a lawsuit; it is fair enforcement, accountability, and a level playing field for everyone who follows the rules.