November 6, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Westside Street Vendors Given Legal Pathway

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.

Just last year, the City of Los Angeles legalized the practice in many areas, meaning for much of the Westside, street food will be in ample supply.

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

L.A. County Election Results: Preliminary Counts as of 4:00 a.m. Wednesday Morning

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Westside Residents Weigh on Representatives, Ballot Measures, Judges and More As of 4:00 a.m., voters in Los Angeles County weighed...

Culver City Municipal Election Results as of Wednesday, November 6 at 1:21 a.m

November 6, 2024

November 6, 2024

Preliminary Results in the Latest Election for Culver City as Votes Are Tabulated In the latest results from the Culver...

Police Seek Suspect in Vandalism of Jewish-Owned Businesses in L.A.’s Pico-Robertson Neighborhood

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

Authorities Investigate Series of Early Morning Attacks as Hate Crime Police are actively searching for a suspect accused of vandalizing...

Driver Arrested in Culver City for Narcotics Possession and Unregistered Firearm

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

Early Morning Traffic Stop Reveals Suspected Drugs and Loaded Gun A traffic stop early Friday morning led to the arrest...

High Alert: L.A. County Braces for Extreme Fire Weather and Powerful Winds

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

Residents Urged To Prepare as Red Flag Warning Goes into Effect  The Los Angeles County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, and...

The Willows: 30 Years Going Strong

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

Founded in 1994, The Willows Community School, located in Culver City, California, is a Developmental Kindergarten through 8th grade non-profit, co-educational...

Election Day Freebies and Discounts: Where to Eat, Drink, and Watch Election Results

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

From Free Doughnuts To Watch Parties, How To Unwind With Election Night Deals With this election day being one of...

Early Morning Call From Community Leads to Burglary Arrest in Culver City

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Police Respond To Suspicious Activity Call, Arrest Suspect With Pickaxe Culver City police arrested a man early Friday morning in...

Culver City Police Department is Prepared to Ensure Community Safety During Election Week

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Enhanced Patrols, Activated Emergency Center Ready, Culver City Voting Center is Open The Culver City Police Department has announced an...

Legendary Music Icon Quincy Jones Dies at 91 in Bel Air

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Celebrated Musician, Producer Leaves an Indelible Legacy By Dolores Quintana Legendary musician, music producer, film and television producer, composer of...

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Lays Off Longtime Archive and Library Staff

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Downsizing and Restructuring Continue, Affecting Employees with Decades of Service By Dolores Quintana Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture...

LA County Opens 526 New Vote Centers for Early Voting, Announces Conditional Voting for Unregistered Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Metro LA Offers Free Rides on Election Day to Help Residents Get to the Polls Los Angeles County opened an...

New Aviation/Century Station Opens, Linking Metro’s C and K Lines

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Metro’s Newest Station Paves the Way for Future LAX Transit Center The new Aviation/Century Station officially opened this week, marking...

H5N1 Detected in LA County Wastewater, Health Officials Urge Precautions for Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Los Angeles County Investigates Low-Level H5 Avian Flu Detected in Wastewater The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is...

Two Events in Culver City This Weekend: Bike Registration and Dance Performance

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

Put the Brakes on Bicycle Theft and Enjoy an Evening of Dance and Interactive Art The Culver City Police Department...