The Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD), in partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the BusinessSource Center operator Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods (ICON), will soon launch the Sidewalk Vending Program, composed of three parts: technical assistance, a permit subsidy for Department of Public Health (DPH) permit fees, and access to food vending carts.
This program was established to help sidewalk vendors navigate and obtain the necessary tools and resources to conduct business in the City of Los Angeles. 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. EWDD, 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.
This program was established to help sidewalk vendors navigate and obtain the necessary tools and resources to conduct business in the City of Los Angeles. 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. EWDD, 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.
Technical Assistance
The EWDD 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:
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:
Approved food vending carts covered by this program include:
Integrated Cart Blueprint
(cooked proteins, i.e. for tacos, prepared at a commissary)
Hot Holding Cart
(i.e., hot dogs or tamales)
Fruit Cart
(fresh fruit)
Paleta Cart
(ice cream or other frozen treats)
Resources
City of Los Angeles BusinessSource Centers
The City of Los Angeles’s 10 BusinessSource Centers provide business owners and entrepreneurs with various business services to succeed in their business ventures, including but not limited to one-on-one consulting, business education and workshops, and access to capital. Find your nearest BusinessSource Center page to learn more.
City of Los Angeles StreetsLA
The City of Los Angeles StreetLA provides resources on how to obtain vending permits. For information on the City of LA StreetsLA Vending Program regulations, visit the StreetsLA website.
State Sellers
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.
Food Handler Certification
The California Retail Food Code (SB972) provides for the regulation of health and sanitation standards for retail food facilities by the State Department of Public Health. This law generally requires food facilities, except temporary food facilities, to have an owner or employee who has successfully passed an approved and accredited 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.
Business Tax Registration Certificate
AAll 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.
LA County Sidewalk Vending Program
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.
LA County Department of Public Health Permit
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 - Food Vending Updates:
Sidewalk Food Vending | Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health
Coming Soon!
For more detailed information on How to Apply for this program, check back soon!
