Unlicensed street vending

Shoppers check out items for sale in a Watts neighborhood. A proliferation of unlicensed street vending and people illegally selling used items out of their homes or at informal open-air markets are becoming neighborhood nuisances -- and worse, according to some officials. (Christina House / For The Times)

April 7, 2013 5:30 PM PT

L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has proposed that county officials tighten regulations on illegal street vending and extended lawn sales, saying they drive down taxable revenue and are a blight on communities.
Read more: Giving street vendors the business

Joey Bebolla, left, sets up his outdoor vending area as pedestrians pass by in Watts. “Selling used to be embarrassing, at first,” Bebolla said. “But I had to do it to survive, and now I’m used to it.” (Christina House / For The Times)

A woman pushes a child past clothing hanging from a street light at an outdoor vending area in Watts. Ridley-Thomas is concerned that unlicensed outdoor selling is hurting legitimate businesses. (Christina House / For The Times)

Jesus Navarro, left, waits as a potential customer eyes his items displayed for sale outdoors in Watts. (Christina House / For The Times)

Roberto Rivera admires a pair of shoes he’s trying on at an outdoor vending area in Watts. (Christina House / For The Times)

Maria Elixon checks out an item at an outdoor vending area in Watts. Ridley-Thomas is calling for county planners and law enforcement officials to explore strengthening codes to control unlicensed vendors and resellers, some of whom set up more or less continuous operations, he says. (Christina House / For The Times)

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Unlicensed street vending

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