The “ Taiwan Police Offenses Ordinance ” of the Japanese era included the earliest attempts to regulate the street vendors and stated that police could fine or detain “ those obstructing traffic by displaying food or other goods by the roadside. ”
日治時期的「台灣違警例」，是最早規範攤販的法律條文，其中明定「在路旁陳列食品、商品而妨害交通者」，警察可拘留罰科。