PRESS RELEASE

UPDATED: The below press release was updated on Nov. 11, 2022, at noon to accurately reflect the vote by the City Council.

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach invites the community to take the Sidewalk Vending Survey, now available at longbeach.gov/sidewalkvending, to provide their input on the future of sidewalk vending in Long Beach. Survey results will support the development of sidewalk vending regulations consistent with state regulations, including Senate Bill 946 (SB 946) and Senate Bill 972 (SB 972), and will additionally be informed by data, expert opinion and community input.

“We are committed to supporting sidewalk vendors and helping them integrate into the formal economy by engaging in thoughtful conversations with all stakeholders to help determine what sidewalk vending in Long Beach should look like,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We encourage residents to share their input through this survey.”

Through the development of a sidewalk vending ordinance, the City aims to support sidewalk vending entrepreneurial and economic development opportunities, while also addressing the needs and concerns of residents, business owners, sidewalk vendors and stakeholders through the revised regulations. The Sidewalk Vending Survey will capture community members’ general perspectives on sidewalk vending as well as information regarding the frequency, location and type of vending seen in Long Beach. Anyone who lives, works, studies and visits Long Beach is invited to participate in the survey.

Now through Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, community members may complete the survey online. Those without computer access can visit an open Long Beach Public Library location to take the survey at one of the available public computer labs or complete a paper survey. Both the online and paper surveys are available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog 

Findings from this survey will help inform the development of the sidewalk vending regulations in Long Beach. Information on survey findings and future community engagement opportunities will be available early next year.

Currently, sidewalk vendors operate throughout Long Beach selling a variety of food, merchandise and non-food services. SB 946 allows food and merchandise vendors to operate on public sidewalks and other pedestrian pathways and limits the City's ability to regulate these vendors. While these regulations are developed, sidewalk vendors must follow these requirements:

• Vendors must not operate in the street.
• Vendors with food operations must have a City health permit.
• Vendors providing non-food services and merchandise must have a special event vendor permit or business license and are typically not allowed on public property without special permission.
• Vendors must comply with applicable local, State, and federal law, including the California Retail Food Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
• Vendors participating in a special event, visit longbeach.gov/special-events-filming/ for more information on requirements.

Per City Council resolution adopted in May 2022, the City takes an education first approach whenever possible to gain compliance with sidewalk vendors as the City continues to develop its regulations. This approach typically involves education and warnings on the first two encounters before further enforcement action is taken on the third encounter. This is a temporary educational approach to assist food vendors gain compliance with these required laws. Sidewalk food vendors who continue to operate without a valid health permit will have their equipment confiscated and food discarded to ensure public health, and if there is an imminent health hazard per California Health and Safety Code, then immediate action will be taken.

The recommendation to develop a City Ordinance that supports sidewalk vending in Long Beach was originally brought to the Long Beach City Council in March 2022 by First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, which was approved by the City Council with an eight to one vote.

“District One has a rich history of sidewalk vendors selling through the residential areas providing options for residents,” said Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “We have an opportunity to connect with residents, business owners and sidewalk vendors and work together to create a sidewalk vending ordinance that supports the specific needs of Long Beach.”   

To stay connected about all matters related to sidewalk vendor policies and regulations, community members are also encouraged to complete the interest form. Those who submit an interest form will receive updates when available, including any upcoming community engagement opportunities and other key milestones.

For more information, visit longbeach.gov/sidewalkvending.

For additional questions, people may call 562.570.6211 or email lbbiz@longbeach.gov with the subject line, “Sidewalk Vending.”

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services, Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, 2 historic ranchos, 5 hospitals, 12 libraries, 5 golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov. Watch us on LBTV. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.