Charlotte City Council approves citywide street vending restrictions: What to know

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Charlotte City Council voted 8-1 on Monday to expand street vending restrictions across the city.

The measure also establishes a framework for permitted marketplaces and adds a potential criminal penalty for some repeat violations.

Where street vending is restricted

The ordinance presented prohibits merchandise sales on streets and sidewalks throughout Charlotte, with exceptions. Previously, the geographic restriction applied to the congested business, coliseum, and stadium districts, according to a redlined version of the proposal.

The ordinance excludes newspapers and magazines from the citywide prohibition and references separate rules in another section of the city code. It addresses vending on streets and sidewalks; the materials do not say all vending on private property is prohibited.

Exceptions for events and other locations

The ordinance would allow properly licensed peddlers to apply for permits to sell merchandise in the congested business district during a city- or county-sponsored or sanctioned market, festival, or similar event.

Applicants must submit permit requests to the event sponsor, who may select vendors and assign locations but must establish fair guidelines and an appeal process.

New peddlers’ marketplaces

The ordinance creates a framework for permitted peddlers’ marketplaces on streets and sidewalks outside the congested business district, coliseum district, stadium district, and NoDa Market.

A city marketplace coordinator would establish a process for creating additional vending malls, which city staff would administer. The coordinator would provide applications, collect a reasonable application fee, and make recommendations, while a designated city department would decide whether to issue or deny permits. The proposal does not specify a fee amount.

Vendor locations could be assigned by lottery, on a first-come, first-served basis, or through another approved process. The proposal does not say where or when new marketplaces would open.

What about food vendors?

The proposed criminal penalty for a third violation within 30 days applies to violations involving the sale of items other than food. Food sales are not included in that specific misdemeanor provision.

The exclusion does not necessarily exempt food vendors from other city rules or civil penalties. It is unclear how the citywide restrictions apply to all food vendors, including food trucks.

--> Related: Charlotte police restrict late-night food vendors in Uptown

Under the marketplace program, food is defined as solid food and nonalcoholic beverages sold by the piece or individual serving. Those items must meet applicable health regulations.

Penalties for violations

Vendors must have a permit and set up in an area pre-approved by Center City Partners, and anyone who breaks the rules could be fined $500 per violation.

If a vendor’s permit is suspended because of too many violations, the vendor could lose their license for a year.

A person who violates those provisions a third time within 30 days while selling items other than food may be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor. The ordinance makes a criminal charge an option; it does not make a conviction automatic.

When the changes take effect

The proposed ordinance says it takes effect upon adoption, and the council voted 8-1 in favor on Monday, Nov. 9.

City officials began reviewing potential changes after former Mayor Vi Lyles requested a review in April 2025. The Safety Committee unanimously recommended the revisions in June 2026, and the full council received a staff update in September.