Vending in Santa Monica

Program Overview

The Santa Monica City Council unanimously adopted a vending ordinance and approved a comprehensive vending program that complies with state law, protects public safety and health, and gives opportunities for those who are looking to vend lawfully and safely. The City presented the ordinance at the April 9, 2019 Council meeting. The vending ordinance went into effect immediately.

The Business License Unit is accepting sidewalk vendor and vehicle vendor applications. Both sidewalk and vehicle vendors that sell food must have a Los Angeles County public health permit before the City can issue a vending permit.

SIDEWALK VENDORS sell food or merchandise on a public sidewalk or pedestrian path

VEHICLE VENDORS sell on a public street, roadway, or highway from inside a vehicle

How to Apply

The information below provides a general overview of the agencies that you may need to contact before you begin your vending business in Santa Monica:

  1. Choose a business name. If you will be using a name other than your given name or the name of your LLC or corporation, you must file a Fictitious Business Name with the Los Angeles County Clerk.
  2. Food vendors only - Contact the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health to apply for your public health permit.
  3. Contact the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to apply for your seller’s permit.
  4. Once you complete the steps above, you may apply for a Santa Monica business license and vending permit.

When the Business License Unit deems the application is complete and payment is received, the application will be routed to the appropriate City departments for review. Once the appropriate approvals are received, a business license certificate and a vendor permit will be issued.

Applications

Please choose the appropriate application packet for your operations:

Sidewalk Vending Application Packet - English

Sidewalk Vending Application Packet - Spanish

Vehicle Vending Application Packet

Non-City Contacts

Filing Type Agency Name Website Phone Number
Fictitious Business Name Los Angeles County Clerk https://www.lavote.net/ (800) 201-8999

Public Health Permit

(food vendors only)

County of Los Angeles

Department of Public Health

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/SSE/Vehicle_Inspection/vip.htm

 (888) 700-9995

California Seller's

Permit

California Department

of Tax & Fee Administration

 http://www.cdtfa.ca.gov (310) 342-1000
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