Cleveland's Street Vendors Getting Break From Permit Fee

During last summer’s outdoor market season, the City of Cleveland began cracking down on a permit requirement for vendors, but after an outcry from sellers, city council is looking to remove that requirement.

In July, the city announced it would increase enforcement of a $60 permit for vendors, whether they’re more permanent, like hot dog carts downtown, or at temporary markets like Cleveland Bazaar and Night Market.

Vendors from that second group started criticizing the plan, said Ward 3 Councilman Kerry McCormack.

“We were concerned that was going to have a negative impact on those folks and we know that the vibrancy in our communities really is enhanced when we have these thriving street markets," said McCormack.

McCormack said the organizers of those street markets already pay a permit fee to the city. Under the new ordinance, this group of vendors will no longer have to pay for a permit, but event organizers will have to document who’s selling what at their markets.