The city of Santa Maria issued the following news release:
In time for Valentine’s Day, outdoor flower sales are not allowed within the City valentines gifts of Santa Maria, except for established businesses selling flowers. This temporary 45-day moratorium is aimed at ending an extensive history of large numbers of unpermitted street-corner flower sales around February 14th and other holidays each year. Municipalities have broad authority to prohibit or regulate the sale of goods on public streets, sidewalks or other public property. After receiving public complaints about street flower vendors and considering its legal options, the Council unanimously approved the moratorium on January 20, 2009.
To the extent that vendors sell flowers on streets, sidewalks, from vehicles and from vacant lots, posing a distraction for drivers and a hazard for traffic, their removal will improve safety. Removal of unattractive street floral vending locations will improve the City’s aesthetics. Support of established floral business locations will add to the City’s overall economic health. Because street flower sales occur only around a few holidays during the year, the overall economic impact will be minimal.
Under the Municipal Code, outdoor flower sales by established businesses are currently valentines money clips allowed with a temporary-use permit from the Community Development Department. Such sales may be held for a maximum of 72 consecutive hours, no more than once every calendar quarter. The moratorium adopted by the City Council does not affect these types of sales, although it clarifies that outdoor flower sales can only be held by established businesses that normally sell flowers.
This temporary moratorium will be enforced by Santa Maria Police Officers, Code Compliance Officers and Park Services Officers. Violations of the moratorium are misdemeanors, which carry a maximum penalty of a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail.
Questions may be directed to the City Attorney’s Office/Code Compliance valentines pendants Division, at 925-0951, ext. 420.
Contact: Phillip Sinco, 805/925-0951, psinco@ci.santa-maria.ca.us.