Illegally setting up a stand selling Gator gear could cost roadside peddlers more than football tickets this year.
The Gainesville Code Enforcement Department is cracking down on peddlers, especially during football games and other special events, because of safety concerns for the public.
Jim Garrett, code enforcement manager for the city, said sometimes the roadside merchants block roads, causing traffic jams that could lead to accidents.
Code enforcement officers have also been focusing more on game-day violations, especially for unlicensed businesses involved with reselling tickets, he said.
"There's a lot of people out there doing this," he said.
"It's not uncommon to have someone who has five to 10 sales representatives on the field. We hold each one accountable."
Anyone associated with the business can be fined, Garrett said, not just the person in charge.
Different types of peddlers are required to apply with the city for different types of permits.
Those who are caught without permits receive an initial warning from code enforcement officers, Garrett said.
Fines for a second offense could reach $500.
Anyone running a business on private property without a permit could be fined up to $5,000 and be required to appear before the code enforcement court.
An increasing number of merchants have been getting permits, he said, and the numbers for citations have decreased.
At the UF-Miami game Sept. 6, officers gave out about 100 citations, he said. At the UF-LSU game Oct. 11, they gave out 75.
"If you have continued, consistent enforcement, the numbers do decline," he said.
