Tulum to Revoke Over Half of Street Vendor Permits

Tulum, Mexico — The Tulum Municipal Commerce Department will conduct a mass review of its street vendor and semi-fixed vendor permits after discovering that more than 50% of issued permits are inactive, unpaid, or abandoned by their holders.

Gradual Review Process Aims to Restore Order

Julio Alberto Castillo Gallardo, head of the department, confirmed that over 1,100 permits have been registered with the Commerce Department over the past six years. However, only about 300 street vendors and 200 temporary merchants remain actively operating.

“As of the latest count, we have more than 1,100 permits issued by the Commerce Department at various times,” Castillo Gallardo stated, acknowledging that much of the registry is outdated and inflated.

The discrepancy—over 600 permits—corresponds to inactive businesses, closed operations, or vendors who have failed to pay fees. “We’ve seen fluctuations. Some vendors have requested extensions because they haven’t set up for a month or two due to low sales, explaining that it’s no longer profitable for them,” he added.

The review process aims to regain control over informal commerce and provide clarity for both compliant vendors and residents. However, Castillo Gallardo admitted that authorities have contributed to the disorder by continuing to issue provisional permits to sustain street commerce without rigorous oversight.

“We’re talking about more than 50% of permits needing review,” he emphasized.

Economic Challenges and Administrative Overhaul

The measure comes amid economic struggles for small vendors, who face declining sales and difficulties maintaining daily operations. Simultaneously, municipal authorities seek to resolve administrative chaos caused by an overinflated registry, including unpaid fees and poorly allocated public spaces.

The Commerce Department plans to notify inactive permit holders, allowing them to regularize their status or face permanent revocation, with the goal of restoring order to Tulum’s informal commerce sector.