Chapter 719 of the Code of Ordinances governs Vendors and Peddlers in the City of Pittsburgh. The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections licenses vendors operating in the public right-of-way. While Mobile Vendors move at least once every four hours and operate from metered parking spots, Stationary Vendors are licensed for specific locations on the street or sidewalk. Currently, the City of Pittsburgh determines approved locations through nominations to the Street and Sidewalk Vending Site Designation Committee, which sends individual sites to City Council for final approval. The Zoning Code regulates vending on private property.

We are working across departments and stakeholder groups to identify opportunities to improve our vending program in Pittsburgh. Through extensive research and conversation, the team and numerous collaborators have developed a set of recommendations detailed in the linked report. Feedback on these recommendations will inform final legislative proposals.

Goals for updating the program include the following:

• Develop a clear, transparent, and efficient process for matching vendors with appropriate locations in the right-of-way
• Expand opportunities for vending in the right-of-way and on public and private property
• Prevent forced movement of vendors, and have a clear process in place for when this is unavoidable
• Promote equity between stationary and mobile vendors
• Become a national leader in supporting vending as a means of economic mobility and incubation opportunity
• Develop a strategic and equitable fee structure that addresses licensing, inspection, maintenance, vacant lot use, trash collection, use of parking, and/or other considerations

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