How to get a Vehicle Vending Permit

If you plan to sell food, merchandise or services in Santa Monica from a motorized vehicle on private property or in the public right of way, you will need a Business License and a Vending permit issued by the City of Santa Monica and a seller’s permit issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.  A vehicle vendor selling food must also obtain a mobile food facility permit from the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health. Vehicle vendors must also have a valid vehicle registration issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.  


Vehicle vendors must obtain a business license and a vehicle vending permit prior to engaging in vending in Santa Monica. Vehicle vending business licenses and vending permits are valid through June 30 of each year and must be renewed on July 1 of each year.  


Additional Resources:

  • For information regarding the City of Santa Monica Single Use Carryout Bag Ban, click here.
  • For information regarding the City of Santa Monica Disposable Food Service Ware Ordinance, click here.

Jump to Section:
Continue the Process:

Online

  1. Review Applicable Laws and Regulations

    + -

    Review and familiarize yourself with the Santa Monica Vehicle Vending Administrative Regulations, and the Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 6.36 related to vending.

  2. Determine Your Business Name

    + -

    If you will be using a name other than your given name or the name of your LLC or corporation, you must file a Fictitious Business Name with the Los Angeles County Clerk. Click here for more information.

  3. Obtain a California Seller's Permit

    + -

    For information on how to obtain a California Seller’s Permit from the California Fee & Tax Administration click here.

  4. Obtain a Los Angeles County Health Permit (Food Vendors Only)

    + -

    For information on how to obtain a Los Angeles County Health Permit, click here.

  5. Gather Your Documents and Apply for Your Santa Monica Business License and Vehicle Vendor Permit

    + -

    Supplemental Vehicle Vending Form

    With your online submission, please include the following supplemental documents: 

       1. A copy of your current California Vehicle Registration.

       2. Proof of Insurance - Specifically the Acord Certificate with coverage in the amount of $1,000,000.

       3. A copy of your Los Angeles County Health Permit (food vendors only).

       4. A copy of your California Seller’s Permit or the number.

       5. Supplemental Vehicle Vending Form

  6. Submit Your Complete Application

    + -

    Complete the online submission using the online system, here. Be sure to include all of the supplemental documents and the Supplemental Vehicle Vendor form and upload them with your online application submission.

  7. Submit Payment

    + -

    Once the application is processed by the Business License unit, you will receive an email with an instructions on how to pay the applicable taxes and fees.  

    When the Business License unit deems the application is complete and payment is received, the application will be routed to the appropriate City departments for review. If the appropriate approvals are received, a business license certificate and vendor permit will be issued. If your submission is not compliant with local, county or state regulations, then your business license and sidewalk vendor permit will be denied.

Email

  1. Review Applicable Laws and Regulations

    + -

    Review and familiarize yourself with the Santa Monica Vehicle Vending Administrative Regulations, and the Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 6.36 related to vending.

  2. Determine Your Business Name

    + -

    If you will be using a name other than your given name or the name of your LLC or corporation, you must file a Fictitious Business Name with the Los Angeles County Clerk. Click here for more information.

  3. Obtain a California Seller's Permit

    + -

    For information on how to obtain a California Seller’s Permit from the California Fee & Tax Administration click here.

  4. Obtain a Los Angeles County Health Permit (Food Vendors Only)

    + -

    For information on how to obtain a Los Angeles County Health Permit, click here.

  5. Gather Your Documents and Apply for Your Santa Monica Business License and Vehicle Vendor Permit

    + -

    Vehicle Vending Application Packet - English

    Vehicle Vending Application Packet - Spanish

    With your application submission, please include the following supplemental documents: 

    1. A copy of your current California Vehicle Registration.
    2. Proof of Insurance - Specifically the Acord Certificate with coverage in the amount of $1,000,000.
    3. A copy of your Los Angeles County Health Permit (food vendors only).
    4. A copy of your California Seller’s Permit or the number.
    5. Business License Tax and Permit fees.

  6. Submit Your Complete Application

    + -

    Email the completed application and supplemental documentation to Business.License@santamonica.gov.

    When the Business License unit deems the application is complete and payment is received, the application will be routed to the appropriate City departments for review. If the appropriate approvals are received, a business license certificate and vendor permit will be issued. If your submission is not compliant with local, county or state regulations, then your business license and sidewalk vendor permit will be denied .

Mail

  1. Review Applicable Laws and Regulations

    + -

    Review and familiarize yourself with the Santa Monica Vehicle Vending Administrative Regulations, and the Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 6.36 related to vending.

  2. Determine Your Business Name

    + -

    If you will be using a name other than your given name or the name of your LLC or corporation, you must file a Fictitious Business Name with the Los Angeles County Clerk. Click here for more information.

  3. Obtain a California Seller's Permit

    + -

    For information on how to obtain a California Seller’s Permit from the California Fee & Tax Administration click here.

  4. Obtain a Los Angeles County Health Permit (Food Vendors Only)

    + -

    For information on how to obtain a Los Angeles County Health Permit, click here.

  5. Gather Your Documents and Apply for Your Santa Monica Business License and Vehicle Vendor Permit

    + -

    Vehicle Vending Application Packet - English

    Vehicle Vending Application Packet - Spanish

    With your application submission, please include the following supplemental documents: 

       1. A copy of your current California Vehicle Registration.

       2. Proof of Insurance - Specifically the Acord Certificate with coverage in the amount of $1,000,000.

       3. A copy of your Los Angeles County Health Permit (food vendors only).

       4. A copy of your California Seller’s Permit or the number.

       5. Business License Tax and Permit fees.

  6. Submit Your Complete Application

    + -

    Mail the completed application and supplemental documentation to: 

    City of Santa Monica 

    Business License Unit 

    P.O. Box 2200 

    Santa Monica, CA 90407-2200 


    When the Business License unit deems the application is complete and payment is received, the application will be routed to the appropriate City departments for review. If the appropriate approvals are received, a business license certificate and vendor permit will be issued. If your submission is not compliant with local, county or state regulations, then your business license and sidewalk vendor permit will be denied .

In-person

  1. Review Applicable Laws and Regulations

    + -

    Review and familiarize yourself with the Santa Monica Vehicle Vending Administrative Regulations, and the Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 6.36 related to vending.

  2. Determine Your Business Name

    + -

    If you will be using a name other than your given name or the name of your LLC or corporation, you must file a Fictitious Business Name with the Los Angeles County Clerk. Click here for more information.

  3. Obtain a California Seller's Permit

    + -

    For information on how to obtain a California Seller’s Permit from the California Fee & Tax Administration click here.

  4. Obtain a Los Angeles County Health Permit (Food Vendors Only)

    + -

    For information on how to obtain a Los Angeles County Health Permit, click here.

  5. Gather Your Documents and Apply for Your Santa Monica Business License and Vehicle Vendor Permit

    + -

    Vehicle Vending Application Packet - English

    Vehicle Vending Application Packet - Spanish

    With your application submission, please include the following supplemental documents: 

       1. A copy of your current California Vehicle Registration.

       2. Proof of Insurance - Specifically the Acord Certificate with coverage in the amount of $1,000,000.

       3. A copy of your Los Angeles County Health Permit (food vendors only).

       4. A copy of your California Seller’s Permit or the number.

       5. Business License Tax and Permit fees.

  6. Submit Your Complete Application

    + -

    Bring your completed application and supplemental documentation to the Business License off located at: 

     

    City of Santa Monica  

    City Hall East 

    1685 Main Street 

    Santa Monica, CA 90401 


    When the Business License unit deems the application is complete and payment is received, the application will be routed to the appropriate City departments for review. If the appropriate approvals are received, a business license certificate and vendor permit will be issued. If your submission is not compliant with local, county or state regulations, then your business license and sidewalk vendor permit will be denied.

Contact Us: