A new county program offers more than 280 health-code-compliant carts, lowering barriers for low-income vendors navigating new vending rules across Los Angeles.
For thousands of sidewalk vendors across Los Angeles County, selling food has long been a pathway to self-employment—but also a legal gray area shaped by rising costs, complex permits, and uneven enforcement. Now, county officials are making a tangible bet on formalization over punishment.
Los Angeles County has launched the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program, an initiative that will distribute more than 280 free, health-code-compliant food carts to eligible low-income vendors. The goal is straightforward: help vendors meet health and safety standards, comply with updated regulations, and keep their livelihoods intact in a city where street vending is both an economic engine and a cultural fixture.
The program is administered by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), in coordination with the City of Los Angeles and community-based partners that work directly with vendors. Officials say the carts—designed for hot food, cold food, and other vending needs—remove one of the biggest financial hurdles vendors face when trying to operate legally.
A Shift From Enforcement to Support
Over the past several years, Los Angeles has moved to formally regulate sidewalk vending, requiring permits, inspections, and compliance with public health rules. While advocates have long supported regulation that protects consumers, many vendors—especially those operating on thin margins—have struggled to afford compliant equipment or navigate the bureaucracy.
“This program recognizes that compliance costs money,” said one county economic development official involved in the rollout. “If we want vendors to follow the rules, we have to make it realistic for them to do so.”
By providing carts at no cost, the county is signaling a policy shift: investing in micro-entrepreneurs rather than pushing them out of public space.
How the Program Works
The county and city will distribute at least 280 carts, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis each month. In cases where demand exceeds supply, carts may be awarded through a lottery system, with priority given to vendors operating in high-need areas.
Beyond the equipment itself, partner organizations will provide hands-on support, including help with:
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Understanding permitting requirements
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Completing applications
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Navigating inspections
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Accessing language assistance
This wraparound approach is designed to reduce drop-off and ensure vendors can actually use the carts once they receive them.
Who Qualifies
To be eligible, applicants must:
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Be 18 or older
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Live in Los Angeles County
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Be self-employed as a sidewalk vendor
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Earn less than $75,000 per year from vending
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Operate in unincorporated LA County or the City of Los Angeles
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Commit to full health and safety compliance
County officials emphasize that the program is aimed at vendors who want to operate legally and sustainably, not as a temporary workaround.
Sidewalk vending plays a critical role in LA’s local economy, particularly in working-class neighborhoods where vendors provide affordable food and culturally familiar options. For many families, vending income helps cover rent, healthcare, and education costs.
By lowering compliance costs, the program may help stabilize small, family-run operations at a time when inflation and enforcement pressures are squeezing informal businesses.
How to Apply
Vendors can apply through the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity’s Sidewalk Vending Program website. Additional information is available through the City of Los Angeles’ Sidewalk Vending Program, managed by the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD).
For vendors weighing whether formalization is worth the effort, the message from county leaders is clear: the door is open—and the cart is waiting.
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