Advocacy group helping street vendors in Las Vegas meet licensing requirements

Theodora Tepetzi used to be a common sight at parks throughout the Las Vegas area, selling corn slathered in mayonnaise and cheese, bright red shaved ice and other Mexican snacks from her food cart. She’s been a street vendor for over 20 years.

But since Clark County passed a street-vending ordinance in April, Tepetzi mostly sells in residential areas because the ordinance puts parks off limits. The venue change, Tepetzi said, has reduced her income so much, she says that she struggles to provide for her family.

Even worse: She can’t afford to pay for the various licenses and permits needed for her business to become legal under the new regulations.

The advocacy group Make the Road Nevada is aiming to help street vendors like Tepetzi through their new Support Street Vendors fundraiser initiative that will collect money to help in-need vendors financially during the application process.

“(I) feel very thankful,” Tepetzi said through a translator. “(I) would love people to join and be able to support the street-vendor community. (I’m) very hopeful that we’re gonna get through every barrier that we have in the way, and very thankful that (Make the Road) is doing something to address the main issues we have.”

The county’s ordinance was in response to the 2023 Nevada Legislature’s passage of Senate Bill 92, which directed individual jurisdictions throughout the state to create requirements for licensing and regulation of street vendors. The county ordinance went into effect April 30; the city of Las Vegas’ proposal hasn’t been heard by the city council.

To operate a street food stand in unincorporated areas of Clark County, sellers must navigate a raft of licensing and permitting requirements, the cost of which add up quickly.

Only three people had applied for street vendor licenses in Clark County as of June 1, county officials said. The first street vendor license was issued to Jose Manuel Carrera, owner of Paletas y Aguas on May 29.

Street vendor license applicants must register for a state business license with the Nevada secretary of state’s office, which costs at least $200. They must then register online with the Nevada Department of Taxation, another $15 fee, according to the department’s website, and submit their business name to the secretary of state’s office.

They also must obtain a food handler safety card, which is $20 for first-time applicants and any renewals, and a permit with the Southern Nevada Health District.

Street vendors must apply for an open-air vendor permit with the SNHD and could rack up a bill of over $800 filing for the correct health licenses alone. The permit costs $387 annually, but there is a one-time plan review fee for first-time applicants that costs $379 and any additional vendor units would be an extra $122.96, the SNHD said.

Vendors seeking a license also must provide proof of general liability insurance including policies of no less than $250,000 for bodily injury or death of one person; $500,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people; and $50,000 for injury or destruction of property.

There’s also the commissary lease agreement for some vendors, any modifications that need to be made to their cart, and the $195 fee for the county’s Department of Business license — a $45 one-time, nonrefundable application fee and the annual $150 license fee.

Jose Rivera, communications associate for Make the Road Nevada, said meeting all of the requirements can cost over $1,000 for first-time business applicants – a price tag that creates a humongous hurdle for street vendors, many of who are making only a few hundred dollars a week if business is good.

Rivera said many street vendors have approached the organization wanting to apply for a business license, but they are encountering troubles during the process, especially with the cost and accessing Spanish-language materials. The need for assistance is fueling the organization’s fundraiser.

“By supporting these entrepreneurs, we help them achieve their dreams and enrich our local economy and culture,” Leo Murrieta, director of Make the Road Nevada, said in a news release. “This fundraiser will ensure that sidewalk vendors have the necessary resources and guidance to succeed, promoting fairness and opportunity for all. Together, we can help these vendors overcome bureaucratic hurdles and thrive in their businesses, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of Nevada’s street life.”

Approximately 100 to 150 vendors have shown interest in Make the Road Nevada’s program, officials said. They also are working with street vendors in the Reno area.

Tepetzi said it had been increasingly difficult to make money these past few weeks. In addition to having to leave her usual spots in parks, Tepetzi said the extreme heat is causing many people to avoid the outdoors.

Now that Tepetzi is finding it hard to make any money, she hasn’t been able to move forward with the licensing process.

“It is a big barrier for (us); it’s very costly and pricey,” Tepetzi said. “(We’re) trying to get around it, that’s why (I’m) so happy about this campaign.”

Make the Road’s new campaign will change that, she said. She’s become one of the faces of the campaign in its marketing effort.

In addition to the fundraiser, officials with Make the Road Nevada are meeting with street vendors one-on-one to help translate application materials and guide them through the process. They’ve also been looking to host meetings with local government officials to brief them on what street vendors are experiencing and push for changes in the ordinances to make them more accessible for this community.

But Rivera believes the advocacy group’s financial campaign “opens up an avenue to different projects” that Make the Road can work on with the street vendor community. The money could also be used to create workshops for vendors looking to apply for a permit as well as — one day — help vendors pay for any needed cart modifications or equipment so they’re abiding by county rules.

“This has been an ongoing occurrence and we (welcome) all street vendors with open arms because the truth of the matter is that it is not accessible right now for vendors to obtain a license so Make the Road Nevada is going to step in and ensure that a vendor is being met halfway and felt like they’re being heard,” Rivera said. “We welcome the whole community to continue advocating for our street vending community. It is very important that organizations step in to ensure that street vendors are being seen and are being heard.”

[email protected] / 702-948-7854 / @gracedarocha