State Legislation
Senate Bill 946 (SB 946)
On September 17, 2018, former Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 946, which is also known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act. This law decriminalizes sidewalk vending in California and allows local authorities to adopt non-criminal laws to protect public health, safety and welfare. Based on the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, the County will adopt an Ordinance that will establish the rules and regulations on how, when and where a street vendor can operate in the unincorporated areas of the County.
According to the Act, a sidewalk vendor is a person who sells food or merchandise on a sidewalk or pedestrian path. It does not apply to food trucks or anything with a motor.
Know Your Rights as Street Vendors and Residents
What Local Authorities CAN do:
- Limit hours of operation
- Prohibit stationary sidewalk vending in residential areas
- Prohibit sidewalk vending near farmers’ markets, swap meets, and temporary special permit areas
- Require sanitary conditions
- Require vendors to comply with the Americans with Disability Act (for example, vendors cannot block curb ramps)
- Require a permit or license
- Request certain information about the business’ operations (name, mailing address, type of sale)
What Local Authorities CANNOT do
- Require sidewalk vendors to operate in a specific area, unless the local authority is restricting vending to protect the community’s health, safety, or welfare.
- Require vendors to ask permission from businesses or anyone besides the government.
- Prohibit sidewalk vendors from operating in public parks, unless the park has a concession agreement, or the park is restricting vending to protect the community’s health, safety, or welfare.
- Restrict the number of sidewalk vendors, unless the city or county must restrict the number of vendors to protect the community’s health, safety, or welfare.
Senate Bill 972 (SB 972)
California Retail Food Code (CRFC) “Compact Mobile Food Operations”
Governor Newsom sign California Senate Bill 972 (SB 972) in September 2022 modifying the California Retail Food Code to establish a new Chapter in the titled “Compact Mobile Food Operations,” (CMFOs). These changes were intended to promote economic inclusion while modernizing the CRFC so that sidewalk food vendors can obtain a permit and join the regulated vending economy.
The new type of food facility is called a Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO), and is defined as a non-motorized push-cart, stand, rack, or display with or without wheels, pedal-driven cart, wagon, or showcase that must report to a commissary for daily cleaning and storage.
For Street Vendors
Make an Appointment
Make an appointment with DEO’s business concierge services at the East LA Entrepreneur Center! Visit here.
Call or Email
Call 323-208-9019 or email osb@opportunity.lacounty.gov to connect!
Visit
Visit the Office of Small Business M-F from 8:30am to 4:30am at 4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez, Los Angeles 90022!
Find Your Sidewalk Vending Jurisdiction
Check your location with your home address using the Registrar Recorder’s Precinct Maps or a local business address near your street vending activity using the Treasurer and Tax Collector District Locator.