Sidewalk Vendor Enforcement Protects Public Safety

Starting this week, the City of Santa Barbara’s Vendor Enforcement Team, led by the Fire Department and supported by bilingual City staff and law enforcement officers for safety, will be conducting inspections of sidewalk vending operations. The focus is on ensuring compliance with fire code regulations, as open flames, propane tanks, and grease create hazardous conditions that can escalate quickly, requiring emergency response and posing serious risks to public safety.

To address these concerns, City Fire is actively enforcing fire code violations related to unpermitted food vendors operating in public rights-of-way. In coordination with the City Attorney’s Office, the Fire Department is also leading criminal investigations into fire safety violations.

Key Vendor Requirements:

• Business Tax Certificate from the City of Santa Barbara
• Health Permit from the County of Santa Barbara Environmental Health Services
• Cart Specifications: Carts must be self-contained and not exceed 74 inches in length, 34 inches in width, or 80 inches in height. Gas-powered generators are prohibited.
• Prohibited Vending Locations: No vending within 5 feet of crosswalks/fire hydrants or 10 feet of driveways, bus benches, or transit shelters.

To help vendors meet these requirements, the City offers guidance and resources, including an information guide and direct assistance online, by phone, and in person. Vendors are encouraged to take advantage of these resources to ensure they are operating legally and safely.

The City urges residents and visitors to support licensed vendors, who contribute to the local economy and help sustain small businesses and families.

Before 2019, most sidewalk vending was prohibited in the City of Santa Barbara, but this changed because of State law, (Senate Bill 946) the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act.

For more information, visit Sidewalk Vending in Santa Barbara - SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SidewalkVending.