Vending Safely in Santa Monica

Santa Monica was one of the first cities in the state to develop a permitted vending program. Our comprehensive program that has allowed permitted or licensed vendors to operate for over 30 years includes permitting processes and parameters for safe vending, and today over 150 vendors are legally permitted to vend in our city. In 2018, the state law changed with the “Safe Sidewalk Vending Act” (SB 946) to provide important entrepreneurship and economic opportunities to low-income and immigrant communities.

State and local laws guide safe vending practices and standards in Santa Monica. This page introduces the different opportunities and the pathway to legally vend in Santa Monica, explains enforcement and outreach efforts, and answers your frequently asked questions. All vendors need a City of Santa Monica business license and if applicable, a vending permit to sell any items in the City, and vendors selling food must also obtain and display a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health permit. The permit requirements reflect Santa Monica’s commitment to balancing public health and safety with expanding opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs.

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FAQ

Where can permitted vendors vend in Santa Monica?

Vendors are encouraged and welcome in many sidewalk locations throughout the City. In particular, sidewalk vendors are encouraged to vend on the sidewalk along Colorado Avenue between the Expo Light Rail Line (4th Street) and Ocean Avenue (top of the Santa Monica Pier). Please see the top resources above for more info on restricted areas including Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park, Santa Monica Pier and the beach.

What is the difference between permitted and unpermitted vending?

Permitted vendors have obtained a City of Santa Monica business license and any other required permits, such as a Department of Public Health permit to prepare and serve food. Unpermitted vendors do not have the required permits. In particular, unpermitted street food is done without proper equipment to ensure food is safely stored, prepared, and handled.

How many vendors does Santa Monica currently have and is there a cap?

The City currently has 13 licensed vendor spaces on the Pier. The sidewalk vending program does not have a cap.

Where are sidewalk vendors allowed to sell their products?

Sidewalk vending can be conducted on most sidewalks and pedestrian paths in the City, but there are restrictions on where stationary vending can take place and the hours when roaming vending can take place in residential locations. In addition, no vending is allowed on private property, the Santa Monica Pier (including within 100 feet of the Pier), a farmer’s market, permitted community events or filming activities, a bike path, a street, driveway, or public parking lot.

Stationary sidewalk vending is also prohibited within 25 feet of the Third Street Promenade, the Transit Mall, the Beach, in residential areas, the 1700 block of Ocean Front Walk, and portions of the Palisades Park within 500 feet of the Pier entrance. Roaming sidewalk vending is not allowed in residential areas between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Please review the administrative regulations for additional time and place restrictions on sidewalk vending.

Before purchasing food from a sidewalk vendor, what should the public look for?

Eat safe! Every sidewalk vendor selling food or beverages (e.g. fruit, ice cream, churros, hot dogs, juice) is required to secure a Los Angeles County Public Health permit. County Public Health inspects each cart and establishment serving food or beverage to ensure that all health and safety measures are followed including proper refrigeration, food handling, and cooking temperatures.

Before purchasing a food or beverage, look for the City’s “V” permit and a County Public Health permit. Every approved cart in Los Angeles County should display a Letter Grade and a certification sticker indicating that it is a permitted food facility.

If a vendor does not have the proper permit, please call 3-1-1 and file a report with Los Angeles County.

Why is it important to purchase food or beverage from a vendor with a health permit?

Food safety is a serious public health concern. Meats, cheeses, or hotdogs kept in cardboard boxes without refrigeration can make you sick. Cross-contamination with raw food and fruit, unclean food preparation practices can cause food poisoning, which can lead to hospitalization. It is critical for the health and safety of the public that food or beverages only be purchased by a vendor with the proper health permits.

If you see a vendor without a public health permit selling food, please contact 3-1-1 and file a report with Los Angeles County.

Why should the public only buy products from licensed and permitted vendors?

The City has 150 sidewalk and other licensed vendors operating across Santa Monica. The permitting or licensing process is designed to ensure safe operations. In particular, unpermitted food vendors are operating without proper equipment to ensure food is safely stored, prepared, and handled. The public can play a role in ensuring health and safety by only purchasing food and goods from permitted vendors.

Why should sidewalk vendors have any restrictions? Doesn’t the state law decriminalize sidewalk vending?

SB946, passed in 2018, allows vendors to operate on public sidewalks and pedestrian paths and also allows local restrictions directly related to health, safety, or welfare concerns. The City’s primary focus is the health and safety of the public, which includes compliance with all city, state and federal laws. The state law removes criminal penalties for sidewalk vendors violating a city’s sidewalk vending ordinance, so that only administrative citations are allowed for such violations. All vendors must be permitted and licensed and comply with all city ordinances, state, and federal laws, including laws governing food safety.

For more information, go to santamonica.gov - Vending in Santa Monica.