Students selling grilled cheese late at night on Court Street might not realize they are violating city ordinance and could be fined $150.
Street vending in Athens requires a license from the Athens City-County Health Department. Patrick McGarry, director of environmental health at the Athens City-County Health Department, said the health department regulates facilities that charge for food. If an unlicensed vendor charges for a food product, including grilled cheese sandwiches, the health department can require the group to stop operating.
If the group is not charging, however, it is exempt from codes that licensed vendors have to follow.
“If we get phone calls from groups, which we often do, we explain the licensing requirements (food safety) and fees for a temporary food service if they are intending on charging for grilled cheese sandwiches,” McGarry said in an email. “During these conversations, we stress food safety and the importance of hand-washing and best practices while operating Uptown."
The City of Athens has vending and peddling licenses. A peddler moves about the city selling goods, while a vendor sells goods from a stand, cart or vehicle.
Peddling licenses cost $25 per month, while vending licenses can cost up to $1,500 per year. License applications can be found on the city website or at the Code Department’s office.
Any group vending without a license can be charged with a minor misdemeanor, Rick Sirois, director of the Department of Development, Enforcement and Facilities, said. A minor misdemeanor comes with a fine of up to $150.
If a charitable organization or a nonprofit is fundraising by street vending, however, it is exempt from Athens vending codes. The organization only has to get permission from the landowner whose land it would vend on, as well as the mayor’s office.
People who are selling grilled cheese or other food items are not allowed to vend on Court Street, Sirois said. Vending is only allowed on East Union Street between College and Court streets.
Athens City Councilman Kent Butler, D-1st Ward, said he has received complaints about grilled cheese vendors from business owners in Athens. Butler said vendors have been disrespectful to storefronts by leaving trash from the fundraiser at the site.
“I’m all for creative attempts and fundraising and applaud the ingenuity and efforts by organizations and students,” Butler said. “But a better dialogue and protocol is probably necessary and beneficial to all parties.”
