Sidewalk Vending Cart Program
Overview
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) offers the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program as part of its Sidewalk Vending Program. The cart program is designed to provide an equitable path toward business formalization and long-term financial resilience by distributing California Retail Food Code-compliant carts at no cost to eligible mobile food vendors operating in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County or within the City of Los Angeles. Through this collaborative partnership, the County and the City of Los Angeles will distribute 341 code-compliant food carts at no cost while supplies last.
Cart awardees must obtain all required local and state permits to operate as fully formalized businesses. These include:
- Compact Mobile Food Operations (CMFO) Health Permit from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH).
- Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificates (SVRC) if operating in an unincorporated area in the County OR Sidewalk & Park Vending Permit if operating in the City of Los Angeles. Please note, if operating in both areas, both are required.
Since its initial launch on January 12, 2026, the program has evolved to expand both cart options and financial resources for local vendors:
Original Program Offerings
- Cart Inventory: Provision of fully permitted, code-compliant food carts, which originally included cut fruit carts, hot holding carts, cold holding carts, and integrated grill carts.
- Technical Assistance: Multilingual education and step-by-step guidance to help informal operators navigate public health regulations, obtain local registrations, and formalize business operations.
New Expanded Program
Introducing A New Cart Type
The cart inventory has expanded to include a brand-new, highly anticipated cart model to accommodate raw-to-cooked food operations, and a grant subsidy to support permitting and initial operating costs. Cart inventory and grant funding are limited and subject to availability.
Financial Support for Food Vendors ($5,000 Grants)
Food vendors in the unincorporated areas of LA County who are conditionally awarded an eligible food cart—specifically fruit, hot-holding, cold-holding, or integrated grill carts (excluding raw-to-cooked cart)—undergo screening for an accompanying $5,000 grant to directly cover operational costs and permitting fees. Grant funding is limited and subject to availability.
Financial Support for Merchandise Vendors ($500 Grants)
Merchandise vendors selling goods exclusively (no food or beverages) operating in unincorporated areas of LA County are now eligible to apply for a $500 grant to assist with business registration and compliance costs. Grant funding is limited and subject to availability.
Apply Now
Application for the expanded cart program open October 2026.
To help vendors transition an awarded cart into a fully permitted business, awardees will receive multilingual technical assistance to meet the following requirements, along with resources to support compliance with local and state regulations:
- CMFO Permit 75% subsidy from DEO
- CMFO Permit from DPH, and related requirements, including Food Handler Certificate and Commissary space
- SVRC from DEO, and related requirements, including California Seller’s Permit and Fictitious Business Name (FBN/DBA) registrations
Cart Types
Five types of California Health Code-compliant carts are available through this program, all approved by DPH and complying with State regulations for CMFO.
Cold-Hold Carts
Designed for selling commercially prepackaged ice cream.
Cut Fruit Carts
Suitable for preparing and selling assorted fresh-cut or whole fruit on-site, as well as prepackaged, low-risk items, such as fruit bowls, açaí bowls, and other dried or snack foods.
Hot-Holding Carts
Equipped for offering prepackaged hot foods and for holding precooked items, such as tamales, corn, hot dogs, and other menu options that are prepared in a permitted kitchen or commissary space approved by DPH.
Integrated Grill Carts
Allows for reheating and serving precooked meat and items, such as tamales, corn, hot dogs, and other DPH-approved hot food items, all of which must be prepared in a permitted kitchen or approved commissary.
Raw-to-Cooked Carts
A specialized, advanced cart equipped with the necessary mechanical systems to safely handle, store, and cook raw proteins and raw ingredients on-site. It features upgraded ventilation, precise temperature controls as well as handwashing/ware washing capabilities.
Please note: Not all cart types may be available at the time of application. Applicants will be notified of the availability of carts and the status of their application.
Program Background
On September 23, 2022, Governor Newsom signed SB 972, a bill that modified the California Retail Food Code and established a new retail food facility known as Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) ─ administered locally by DPH. Examples of CMFOs include pushcarts, pedal-driven carts, wagons, or other nonmotorized conveyances.
In recognition of the financial barriers that exist for sidewalk vendors looking to acquire a California Retail Food Code-compliant cart and participate in the formal economy, DEO and the Los Angeles City Community Investment Department (CID) launched the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program.
Application Process
Applying for the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program involves a clear, multi-step process. DEO and its partners are ready and available to support applicants through every phase.
Phase 1: Initial Application
All applicants must complete the following steps to start the process:
- Apply directly for the program at https://opportunity.lacounty.gov/sidewalkvendingcarts/
- Submit information for eligibility review
Phase 2: Conditional Acceptance Steps
If conditionally accepted (notified within 2 – 4 weeks), all applicants must:
- Attend Educational WorkshopsParticipate in mandatory Sidewalk Vending and CMFO sessions.Note: Subsidies for CMFO are available for vendors operating in unincorporated areas of LA County.
- Secure Key Business DocumentsObtain an official California Seller’s Permit, FBN/DBA (if applicable), and a Food Handler or Food Manager Card.
- Confirm LogisticsConfirm cart transportation and storage.
- Submit Public Health CMFO Permit Application and ReviewsSubmit fully completed application, schedule and successfully complete all necessary DPH inspections.
- Obtain Official PermitsSuccessfully apply for and receive the finalized CMFO Health Permit and Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate, or City Sidewalk and Park Vending Permit.
- Pick Up the Cart!Complete the final pickup and launch a fully permitted vending business.
Timeline and Availability
- Review WindowEligibility notifications are sent out within 2 to 4 weeks of submission.
- Total Estimated TimeThe entire process from initial application to cart distribution can take up to 8 weeks.
- Program AvailabilityCarts are distributed on a rolling basis while supplies last, contingent upon applicant eligibility and manufacturing timelines.
Eligibility and Documentation Requirements
To qualify for the Sidewalk Vendor Cart Program, applicants must meet all the following eligibility requirements and submit the corresponding documentation to demonstrate they meet each criterion.
Please note: Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a cart award, as funding is limited and will be allocated based on eligibility, compliance readiness, and available resources.
Awardee Selection
Applications first opened on January 12, 2026, and it was expanded to include raw-to-cooked carts on October 13, 2026. They will remain open until all carts have been manufactured and distributed. Priority will be given to applicants who submit both required and supplemental documentation, demonstrate efforts toward compliance, and meet additional factors determined by the County and the City of Los Angeles. Only one cart per address/applicant will be awarded.
All applications received by the end of each month will be reviewed and scored for that month’s available carts. If the number of applications with the same score exceeds the number of carts available, a lottery process will be used to select awardees. Applications not selected will automatically roll over for consideration in future months until all carts are exhausted.
Cart Distribution
Qualified and selected applicants will receive carts as they are manufactured and available for distribution throughout the program. Selected awardees will receive a conditional award, which is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to meet all permitting and eligibility requirements before a cart is issued. Failure to meet all requirements within a set timeframe will disqualify an applicant, and the cart will be returned to the pool for award reallocation.
Award Expectations
If selected, the vendor must do the following to receive a cart:
- Acquire a CMFO Permit from DPH
DEO or CID will work with selected individuals to apply for the CMFO permit. Applicants must meet all requirements outlined by the DPH for the CMFO, including, but not limited to the following:- Food Handler’s Certification
- Commissary Space and/or Approved Storage Facility
- Menu
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- Get Permitted to Vend
Depending on where the cart will operate, obtain an SVRC or a City of Los Angeles Sidewalk and Park Vending Permit.
Failure to meet the above requirements by a deadline provided by the County or City will disqualify applicants.
Application Assistance
To assist applicants apply, DEO is offering the following resources and support:
Sidewalk Vending Cart Program FAQs
Informational Webinars
Attend an informational webinar to learn more about the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program, the process for obtaining an SVRC and CMFO, how to operate in compliance with the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, and benefit from other existing resources.
One-on-One Application Assistance
If operating in the unincorporated areas of the County:
Inclusive Action for the City
2900 E Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Visit by appointment only.
DEO Office of Small Business (OSB)
4716 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90022
If operating in the City of Los Angeles:
Initiating Change in our Neighborhoods (ICON)
13168 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331
