WOODLAND HILLS—On Thursday, September 22, Los Angeles officials voted to relax the regulations on farmers markets and thus expand their ability to operate. The vote could potentially allow vegetable vendors to set up shop in between apartment buildings as well as allowing front yard flower stands to be located in residential neighborhoods.

The ordinance was approved by the City Planning Commission and would ease restrictions on markets that have been certified, theoretically allowing them to open in commercial areas without a public hearing.

The change was prompted after the Wellington Neighborhood Square farmers market in mid city was fined because it were operating in the parking lot in a residential area despite the fact that the lot was the lot of the Smyrna Seventh Day Adventist Church. This inspired City Councilman Herb Wesson to begin seeking changes.

Presently, the only markets that are allowed in residential areas are those that are in the parking lots of a church, a school or a philanthropic entity. With the passage of this new ordinance, certified farmers markets will now be permitted to operate in any residential area. Now, if the proper permits are gained, a homeowner would be able to set up a stand, or together a group of residents would be able to set a stand up along their street.

The aim of this ordinance is to increase the availability of healthy foods and the markets themselves to residents, as Los Angeles has seen a rise in popularity of such markets since the early 1980s.

The reaction of this news has included both excitement and uncertainty from market vendors and managers. The ordinance has been seen as “an important step,” by Pompea Smith, chief executive of Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles, a nonprofit organization that operates eight farmers markets in the city.

Conversely, Karen Sassen, a vendor for the Santa Barbara Pistachio Co., however, expressed concerns with the new ordinance, saying, “There might be more competition,” referring to the number of Central Valley farmers who participate in L.A. farmers markets.

Sassen also raised the question of the affordability and feasibility of farmers markets, citing the fact that not only must markets be accredited by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, but the county presently charges a yearly rate of $408 to operate a market with a minimum of 15 vendors. Also mentioned was the more than $4000 required for a zoning hearing and environmental assessment for a potential market.

Although the ordinance has passed the City Planning Commission, it still must be approved by the city council.