The City of Los Angeles Sidewalk Vending program is a partnership between CID, the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity, and the BusinessSource Center operator Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods (ICON). The program consists of three parts: technical assistance, a subsidy for Department of Public Health permit fees, and access to food vending carts.
This program was established to help sidewalk vendors navigate the City of Los Angeles and obtain the tools and resources needed to conduct business. Many vendors operate on tight budgets and may lack the cash flow to cover all of the necessary items needed to start or expand their business. CID, along with our partners, hope to fill this gap.
The goal of the program is to assist sidewalk vendors who are in need of FREE resources to establish, retain, or stabilize their businesses.
To apply for this program, visit
https://opportunity.lacounty.gov/sidewalkvendingcarts
Additional information about this program can be found below.
Technical Assistance
The CID provider, Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods (ICON), is managing the program and will provide technical assistance to eligible sidewalk vendors. Technical Assistance includes resources and services such as:
- Business and Financial Assessment
- One-on-one technical assistance
- Permit Application Preparation and Follow-up:
- City of LA Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC)
- State Seller’s Permit
- Food Handlers Permit
- LA County Department of Public Health Permit
- DEO Compact Mobile Food Operator (CMFO) Subsidy application
- City of LA, StreetsLA Vending Permit
- Regulatory and Compliance Consultation Services
- Educational Workshops
- Business Resources
- Access to Capital
Food Cart Distribution
EWDD has partnered with the County of LA Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the LA County Department of Public Health (DPH) to make sidewalk vending carts available to eligible sidewalk vendors. Selected applicants will receive a FREE cart and a subsidy to pay a portion of DPH permit fees, subject to availability.
Approved food vending carts covered by this program include:
Reheating and serving precooked proteins
Prepackaged hot foods, like hot dogs and tamales
Fresh fruit and snack foods
Prepackaged ice cream and frozen treats
Apply
To apply for the City of Los Angeles Sidewalk Vending program, visit the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity website at https://opportunity.lacounty.gov/sidewalkvendingcarts.
Resources
BusinessSource Centers are located across Los Angeles and offer business owners and entrepreneurs with a variety of free services and programs, such as one-on-one consulting, business education and workshops, and access to capital.
The City of Los Angeles StreetsLA provides resources on how to obtain vending permits. For information on the City of LA StreetsLA Vending Program regulations, visit the StreetsLA website.
Retailers operating a business in California must register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) and pay the state's sales tax, which applies to all retail sales of goods and merchandise except those specifically exempted by law. To view your tax and fee records, visit the CDTFA website.
The California Retail Food Code (SB972) provides health and sanitation standards for retail food facilities by the State Department of Public Health. This law requires food facilities, except temporary facilities, owners, or employees to successfully pass an approved food safety certification examination from an accredited food protection manager certification organization, except as specified. To obtain a food handler certification, visit the LA County Public Health website.
All individuals or entities conducting business activities within the City of Los Angeles are required to apply for and obtain a Business Tax Registration Certificate with the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance. To renew or request cancellation of a Business Tax Registration Certificate, visit the Office of Finance website.
The LA County Sidewalk Vending Program supports and advances permitted sidewalk vending within LA County. This program provides a pathway for micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses to access sidewalk vending registration, educational workshops, technical assistance, low-cost vending carts, and legal aid. Per the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, all sidewalk vendors are required to register with the DEO for a Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate, which allows vendors to operate in LA County.
The California Retail Food Code (CRFC) established a new retail food facility known as Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO). CMFOs may conduct limited food preparation in accordance with the CRFC. Sidewalk vendors selling food can obtain their CMFO permit at a reduced rate of up to 75% of total permitting costs, including inspections. Visit the DEO website to learn more about the subsidy criteria.
- Permitting Frequently Asked Questions:
Compact Mobile Food Operations Frequently Asked Questions | Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health