Cozumel Freezes New Street Vendor Permits as Review Committee Stalls

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Cozumel has not approved a single new street vending permit in more than a year because the committee responsible for ruling on applications has not convened since it was installed in January 2025.

María Eugenia Azcorra, deputy director of Economic Development, said applications with complete documentation are still waiting for a decision, and no date has been set to call the review committee together.

“I already have some permits with all the documentation complete, and we are waiting for the committee to meet so that new permits are either granted or not,” Azcorra said.

While the requests remain pending, authorities have identified vendors operating without authorization. In those cases, tax inspectors have asked them to begin the process of regularizing their activities.

Among the cases identified is a stand set up next to a substation belonging to the CFE (Federal Electricity Commission). Azcorra said Economic Development has no application on file for that business, so inspectors will be sent to verify whether it holds the required permits.

The review will also cover two freezers placed on a sidewalk that could block pedestrian traffic.

“They must not encroach on any sidewalk, since those are for residents,” the official warned.

Azcorra noted that while a private landowner may authorize use of their property, vendors still need the corresponding municipal licenses to operate.

She also clarified that charity fairs and fundraising sales require authorization from the Municipal General Secretariat.

For now, the lack of committee sessions has left applications for new permits unresolved while authorities review cases of vending in public spaces and possible improper use of sidewalks.