Charlotte leaders approve NoDa street vendor program

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — City officials approved a pilot program Monday that will introduce new regulations for street vendors in Charlotte’s NoDa neighborhood. The plan aims to address concerns about unregulated vendors by requiring permits and clear identification.

“You have a vendor that is not registered, setting up shop directly in front of a store, not paying taxes,” Council member LaWana Mayfield explained during a meeting on June 9. “We can’t track them down if there were a problem.”

Under the plan:

• Permits will be required, and the annual permit fee will be under $100.
• Violators could face fines up to $500, though most initial fines are expected to be under $100 to keep the program accessible.
• No criminal penalties will be issued — enforcement is civil only.
• Only certain types of goods will be allowed — like art, handmade jewelry, and clothing. No on-site food preparation or alcohol sales will be permitted, although pre-packaged food may be allowed, pending approval from the county’s health department.