July 5, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Street Vendors Given Legal Pathway

Street food legalized in certain parts of city

By Cailley Chella

Elote, mango, churros and other street treats are about to be in high supply in Santa Monica. The City mostly prohibited sidewalk vending, until now.

On Tuesday, April 9, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted to approve an emergency ordinance to immediately implement a sidewalk vending program that will create a legal pathway for vendors in spaces that were formerly restricted.

Former California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 946 last year, decriminalizing street vending in public spaces across California. The bill, also known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, left it up to local governments to decide what worked best for their area, and that is what the Santa Monica City Council feels they have done.

The new program will prioritize public health and safety as well as expand economic opportunity for lawful, permitted vendors.

Santa Monica Mayor Gleam Davis lauded the program Wednesday, saying she believes the law is fair for everyone.

“Santa Monica’s approach to sidewalk vending strikes an important balance that we hope will create an inclusive, safe, and successful business environment for vendors and customers, ensure public safety, and allow our public spaces to be enjoyed by all,” Davis said in a statement released by the City.

Key aspects of the program include requiring sidewalk vendors to obtain a business license and sidewalk vendor permit, requiring compliance with county and state regulations, including an L.A. County Health Permit for food vendors and California Seller’s Permit, and limiting vending activities in highly-trafficked areas that impose a risk to the public’s safety.

These restricted areas include the entire Santa Monica Pier, where all vending will be prohibited except the City’s existing license vendor cart program; the Third Street Promenade and Transit Mall; Santa Monica State Beach (includes the 1700 block of Ocean Front Walk); and Palisades Park (within 500 feet of the Ocean Avenue entrance to the Pier bridge), where stationary vending will be prohibited.

Street vending issues have existed within Santa Monica for decades. Activists across L.A. have been organizing for years to decriminalize and protect street vendors, while Hollywood launched a crackdown on street vendors in July of 2018.

There’s even a history of physical violence against the pavement salespeople. Most recently, a group of men attacked and robbed a street vendor near Exposition Park and an elotero was attacked in the summer of 2017. His food cart was destroyed in the attack.

Comprehensive public education and outreach in both English and Spanish has already begun and is expected to ramp up for the busy summer season.

Negin Singh, the Executive Director of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation said this issue is near and dear to her heart as her father, an immigrant to the U.S., had a store in Santee Alley where, she says, she basically grew up.

“We could create something that is incredibly beneficial not just for our vending community but for the millions of visitors…to come and be welcome by something that is so important to L.A,” Singh said.

Deputy City Manager and Policy Director Anuj Gupta said Santa Monica is dedicated to assisting street vendors in becoming legal.

“We’ll also encourage and facilitate lawful vending in desirable and permissible locations that are economically attractive, such as the Colorado Esplanade,” Gupta said in a statement from the City.

Permits for sidewalk vending in Santa Monica will cost $158 and applications will be available beginning in May 2019.

<>Related Posts

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Film Review: F1: The Movie

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWF1: THE MOVIERated PG-13155 MinutesReleased June 27th F1: The Movie will envelop you in a racecar. You will be...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...