If you live in Fresno, you have likely heard of Tower District and its lively atmosphere during the day and night. During the day people go to have lunch or grab a coffee, while at night it is filled with energetic music and dancing. Throughout the whole day, you’ll see people grabbing food from vendors on the sidewalk selling bacon wrapped hotdogs, tacos, burritos, etc. It is a well-known area in Fresno that many people love to visit to create a nice memory.
Unfortunately, Councilmembers Miguel Arias and Annalisa Perea sponsored an ordinance amendment that sought to prohibit sidewalk vending in Tower District, forbidding vendors from selling between 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, with a first violation serving as a warning and the next violations amounting to $100 to $500 fines. If vendors do not have permits, then the fines are increased.
On Nov. 20, 2025, the proposal was approved, in a meeting during which the amendment was changed from banning sidewalk vendors to increasing fines for vendors operating illegally to address public health and safety concerns. This change went into effect on Dec. 1, 2025.
The councilmembers’ main reason for proposing the amendment were safety concerns relating to the Fresno Police Department receiving 5,528 calls for arrests in Tower District from January 2025 through September 2025, according to a press release from Arias’ office and later amendment of the ban. These arrests include incidents like trespassing, public intoxication, resisting/obstructing an officer and assault of an officer. Some concerns involve gang activity and violent assaults.
The amendment of the ban stated that “Fresno Police Department (FPD) has identified the presence of food vendors as a key factor in attracting and prolonging large, disorderly crowds in the Tower District.” The amendment added that most of the calls are from nearby food vendors.
The proposal caused backlash from the community for potentially punishing small businesses rather than addressing the root causes of the crimes. Many community members feel that the proposal would disproportionately target hard-working vendors trying to earn a living. The proposal only affects the hardworking vendors who are just trying to earn a living.
“The ban on street food vendors in Fresno’s Tower District punishes hard-working individuals who add to the culture and community,” said Dominick Cardenas who frequently visits Tower District. “Instead of shutting them down, the city should be finding ways to support and promote vending that celebrates diversity and small businesses. Street food is part of what makes Fresno’s culture and identity thrive.”
Mars Santos, a freelance journalist with uSpark Valley, echoed these concerns and questioned the use of data in the amendment.
“My first thought [after hearing the ban proposal] is that it is a bad idea and that it is not considering the community that a lot of people rely on the funds from vending. It is part of our culture, and people’s livelihoods are at stake,” Santos said. “I think it is misrepresenting data to use as an excuse to ban vendors saying that all of the 5,500 complaints are a logical reason to blame on a group of people who are not involved in the complaint. It doesn’t follow the argument, it doesn’t prove your point of reason.”
Councilmembers received backlash about banning vendors at the Nov. 20 meeting, which was held after being postponed twice, with many disgruntled attendees accepting the need to penalize vendors who are creating a safety hazard and not following safety protocols, but arguing that these repercussions would instead target vendors who are following the laws.
Those criticisms on banning vendors are likely what prompted the council to approve new fines for vendors who are violating city codes, such as being caught preparing or cooking food in unsafe conditions, illegal dumping of oil or not having permits.
Current or aspiring food vendors can learn more about how to be permitted and follow city codes to avoid violations at fresnocountyca.gov.
