Eligible sidewalk vendors operating in the city and county of Los Angeles could receive a free, health-code-compliant food vending cart as part of the $2.8 million investment, officials announced Monday.

The new Sidewalk Vending Cart Program has been launched by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department to make more than 280 free vending carts available for vendors who meet legal requirements. 

Through the same program, some eligible vendors can have the first two years of the $604 vending registration certificate fees waived. They will also receive a $100 discount in the third year. 

For food vendors who need to obtain the compact mobile food operation permit, which could cost between $126 to $592 per year depending on the type of food they sell, they could receive a 75% fee subsidy under the program.

After the state decriminalized safe sidewalk vending and created a regulatory framework with SB 946 in 2018, officials had hoped low-income entrepreneurs could start strengthening their livelihood. But critics have said the costs of annual operating permits and code-compliant carts posed financial barriers for vendors.

Among the 281 vending carts to be given away for free, 180 are designated for vendors operating in the unincorporated areas of the county, and 101 are set aside for the city of LA neighborhoods.

The carts, which are made by three manufacturers, will meet public health standards with different functionalities, including hot-holding, cold-holding, cut-fruit and grill models.

Who’s eligible:

  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must live in LA County
  • Must operate in unincorporated LA County of the city of LA
  • Must be self-employed as a sidewalk vendor
  • Earn less than $75,000 annually
  • Must commit to full compliance with public health and safety regulations

How to apply

  • Click here to apply
  • Applications are reviewed every month for eligibility and cart type
  • Vendors in highest-need areas would be preferred. Others could be selected by lottery
  • It could take up to 12 weeks to be approved and receive a free cart