AMC halts street vending regulations for review, amendments

Council members narrowly vote to reconsider the law

After months of public outcry and protests, the Austin City Council has voted to halt enforcement of its new street vending regulations and reconsider the law.

The decision came after a narrow 6-5 vote, with several council members expressing concerns about the impact of the regulations on low-income vendors and communities of color.

The regulations, which were passed in December, would have required street vendors to obtain a permit, undergo a background check, and pay a fee. They also would have restricted where and when vendors could operate.

Critics of the regulations argued that they would have made it more difficult for vendors to earn a living and would have disproportionately impacted minority-owned businesses.

Council members who voted to halt enforcement of the regulations said they wanted to give the city time to review the law and make amendments.

They also said they wanted to hear from more vendors and community members about how the regulations would impact them.

The regulations have been controversial since they were first proposed

The street vending regulations have been controversial since they were first proposed in 2021.

Supporters of the regulations argued that they were needed to regulate the growing number of street vendors in Austin and to ensure that they were operating safely and fairly.

Opponents of the regulations argued that they were too restrictive and would make it more difficult for vendors to earn a living.

The council will reconsider the regulations in the coming months

The council will reconsider the street vending regulations in the coming months.

In the meantime, enforcement of the regulations has been halted.

The council is expected to hold a public hearing on the regulations before making a final decision.