Long Beach Municipal Code Div. 3 General Operating Conditions and Locations

A. All Mobile Food Facility operators must comply with all applicable provisions of the Long Beach Municipal Code, including, but not limited to:

1. Title 3, Title 5, Title 8, Title 21, and Title 22;

2. Chapter 8.63 - Polystyrene Food Packaging;

3. Chapter 8.80 - Noise;

4. Chapter 9.37 - Nuisance;

5. Section 16.08.420 - Disposal of refuse;

6. Section 16.12.260 - Sanitation (Pacific Ocean Areas); and

7. Section 16.16.140 - Park Playgrounds - Adults not accompanying children ages 12 and under prohibited.

B. All Mobile Food Facility operators must comply with and are subject to:

1. The California Health and Safety Code;

2. Applicable provisions in the Americans with Disability Act;

3. The California Vehicle Code.

C. Minors - Any minor(s) assisting with or engaged in Mobile Food Facility operations shall be accompanied by a Mobile Food Facility operator with a valid Mobile Food Facility permit. Any and all actions of the minor(s) related to Mobile Food Facility operations, including any violations committed by the minor(s), are attributable to the permitted Mobile Food Facility operator.

D. Set-up and equipment - all Mobile Food Facility operators shall abide by the following provisions:

1. Shall provide no more lighting than necessary for inside food preparation, menu illumination, and shielded, downward-facing customer lighting reasonably required for safe circulation and shall not create a nuisance or use high-intensity or flood-style lighting that creates glare onto adjacent properties, rights-of-way, or traffic.

2. If utilizing flashing lights, a Mobile Food Facility operator shall abide by the California Vehicle Code.

3. Shall not use red and blue flashing signs. Any other flashing sign used in vending must not be facing a highway or traffic.

4. Shall not set up tables, chairs, umbrellas, canopies or signage in the public right-of-way, unless expressly permitted through a City-issued special event permit, or if vending on private property with the property owner's consent and in compliance with all applicable State food safety and transportation regulations and local permitting requirements.

5. Shall not hang or affix any items to above ground structures, fences, gates, trees or onto public or private buildings.

6. Shall not use an electrical outlet or power source that is owned by the City or another person other than the Mobile Food Facility operator without prior written authorization.

E. Sound and Noise - Mobile Food Facility operators shall abide by the following provisions:

1. Shall not use amplified or non-amplified sound-making devices in conjunction with Mobile Food Facility operations, such as speakers, microphones, public address systems, bells, and chimes.

2. Notwithstanding subsection (1), ice cream truck operators may only use sound-making devices while the vehicle is in motion. Ice cream truck operators shall not use, play or employ any sound, outcry, amplifier, loudspeaker or any other instrument or device for the production of sound from an ice cream truck while the ice cream truck is stationary.

3. The City has the discretion to set reasonable restrictions in the business license terms and conditions on the type and use of any amplifier, loudspeaker, or any other instrument or device for the production of sound utilized on an ice cream truck in order to prevent a disturbance of the peace.

F. Sales and Operations - Mobile Food Facility operators shall abide by the following provisions:

1. Shall not organize customer queuing in a manner that interferes with or obstructs the free passage of pedestrians.

2. Shall not dispense food to customers in the street. Customers must receive food on the sidewalk if the vehicle is parked in the right-of-way.

i. If the Mobile Food Facility is parked in a diagonal/angled parking space in the street, the adjacent parking space must be available as a designated customer area if needed to prevent customers from standing in the active travel lane of a street, with all applicable parking fees paid on all utilized parking spaces. A temporary barrier shall be provided to buffer the active parking areas from any customer queuing areas. The customer queue should be directed toward the sidewalk, not into the roadway. No more than two diagonal/angled parking spots should be utilized for a single Mobile Food Facility vending operation.

3. Shall not rent merchandise to customers.

4. Shall not display merchandise or food that is not available for immediate sale.

5. Shall not vend food or merchandise that requires verification of a minimum age for purchase, such as alcoholic beverages (as defined in LBMC Section 9.02.020), tobacco, tobacco products, cannabis, or firearms.

6. Shall not vend non-food merchandise, except for small, temporary, or promotional items that are directly related to the business and secondary to the primary sale of food.

G. Maintenance and Environmental Safety - all Mobile Food Facility operators shall abide by the following provisions:

1. Pick up, remove, and dispose of all trash or refuse which consists of materials originally dispensed from the truck within a 50-foot radius of the truck.

2. Provide litter receptacles of sufficient capacity, to be changed as necessary, and which is clearly marked with a sign requesting its use by patrons.

3. Not empty their trash into public or City trash receptacles.

4. Not dispose of items or materials onto or into the curbs, gutters, streets, drains, storm drain system, or onto any other public or private property. Items include, but are not limited to, food debris, hot coals, ashes, grease, and any water or rinse residue used for their operations, such as cooler water, ice, or food preparation water.

5. Not allow grease, oil, or other food-related residues to accumulate or stain public streets, sidewalks, or parking areas. Operators are responsible for cleaning any grease spills or stains resulting from their operations and may be subject to fines or cleanup fees if the City is required to perform or coordinate the cleaning.

H. Interference with Municipal Services - all Mobile Food Facility operators shall abide by the following provisions:

1. Shall not adversely affect the City's ability to perform municipal functions or furnish City services.

2. Shall not interfere with the performance of duties by police officers, firefighters, lifeguards, emergency medical personnel, or other City employees acting in the line of duty.

(ORD-26-0011 § 1(Exh. A), 2026)

A. Business License Parking Benefit - Mobile Food Facility operators that possess a City of Long Beach Mobile Food Facility business license and permit and are in good standing without any outstanding fees or fines may:

1. Extend the posted parking time limits in metered stalls by up to twice the designated duration, with a cap of 4 hours provided that the meter is paid for the entire period of occupancy. For meters in Downtown Dining and Entertainment District as defined by Chapter 5.72.210, Mobile Food Facility operators may utilize a metered stall for up to 8 hours provided that the meter is paid for the entire period of occupancy.

2. Vend while occupying up to two on-street stalled or marked parking spaces, of which all parking fees must be paid.

B. Permitted Locations for Operation.

1. Mobile Food Facility operators may vend on any public right-of-way that meets the definition of a Street as defined in this Chapter.

2. Mobile Food Facility operators may vend in available parking spots in the Shoreline Aquatic Park Surface Lot at 212 Golden Shore on a first-come first-serve basis, if adhering to all parking, ordinance, and safety regulations and during times when the lot is not restricted for special events.

3. Mobile Food Facility operators may vend in select City park parking lots as described in section 5.37.090(C).

4. Mobile Food Facility operators may vend in the appropriate dedicated portions of parking along Ocean Boulevard as described in section 5.37.090(D)(3).

C. Park Parking Lot Program for Mobile Food Facilities - Mobile Food Facility operators may participate in a Mobile Food Facility Park Parking Lot Program.

1. Under this program, select parks will have designated spots for up to five Mobile Food Facility operators specifically for Mobile Food Facility operations, with the exception of Granada Beach, which shall only have up to two designated spots. These designated spaces may be used by permitted operators on a first-come, first-serve basis during permitted vending hours.

2. Mobile Food Facility operators are prohibited from vending in any other parking spaces within the park parking lot or from reserving designated Mobile Food Facility spaces by parking their vehicle(s) outside of operating hours.

3. Access to designated Mobile Food Facility spaces may be temporarily restricted during City sponsored special events or as determined by the City for operational needs.

4. The City parks participating in this program and the number of designated spots at each participating park parking lot shall be designated by the Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine or his or her designee, who may also choose to pause or stop the program depending on safety or capacity circumstances. The City shall publish and maintain the list of designated parks and spots on a public facing website.

D. Exclusive Parking for Mobile Food Facilities on Public Rights of Way.

1. Parking spaces exclusively for Mobile Food Facilities on public rights of way shall be set forth according to Chapter 10.24.060 "Exclusive Parking for Mobile Food Facilities on Public Rights of Way".

E. Event Specific and Concessionaire Restrictions.

1. Mobile Food Facility operators may not vend within 500 feet of any concessionaire that has signed an agreement for concessions with the City that exclusively permits the sale of food or merchandise by the concessionaire.

2. For permitted swap meets, permitted certified farmers' markets, and areas designated for a temporary special permit (collectively "events") where the Mobile Food Facility operator is not contracted to vend, the following also applies:

i. For events with less than five thousand (5,000) attendees and where it is a limited venue and access and egress is not a factor, Mobile Food Facility operators may not vend within two hundred fifty (250) feet of the event.

ii. For all other events, Mobile Food Facility operators may not vend within five hundred (500) feet of the event.

iii. The vending restrictions described above apply as follows: (1) For permitted swap meets or permitted certified farmers' markets during the limited operating hours of the certified farmer's market or swap meet, (2) for an area designated for a temporary special permit: during the limited duration of the temporary special use permit.

iv. For areas designated for a temporary special permit, when applicable, Mobile Food Facility operators specifically permitted to operate in the area are granted the same notice, business interruption mitigation, or other right provided to affected businesses or property owners under the City's temporary special permit, rules, and regulations.

v. The City may impose additional restrictions to preserve the ingress and egress of Special Event related traffic.

F. Operating Hours - Mobile Food Facility operators may operate in the public right-of-way only during the following hours, based on the location of vending activity:

1. Non-residential/mixed use blocks - operations may occur between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. with the exception of the Downtown Dining and Entertainment District where operations may occur between 7:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.

2. Residential blocks - operations may occur between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

3. School areas - Notwithstanding the aforementioned operating hours, no Mobile Food Facility operator may vend within one block of any school grounds from Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. of said days, unless expressly permitted or invited by the school.

4. Park parking lots - Mobile Food Facility operations in approved City park parking lots, as part of the Mobile Food Facility Park Parking Pilot Program, may occur during official park operating hours, but in no case later than 10:00 p.m.

G. Pedestrian Path of Travel/Access - Mobile Food Facility operators shall abide by the following provisions:

1. Shall provide for a minimum five-foot uncovered pedestrian path of travel that must be available at all times, and eight (8) feet in areas identified as High Volume or Very High-Volume Pedestrian Zones as designated by the City's Traffic Engineer or Designee.

2. Shall operate in a way which will not obstruct or interfere with the free flow of pedestrian path of travel or vehicular traffic, including but not limited to, access to or from any business, public building, or dwelling unit.

H. Traffic Safety and Visibility - Mobile Food Facility operators shall abide by the following provisions:

1. Shall not operate in any location that obstructs traffic signals or regulatory signs.

2. Shall not operate within Vehicle Height Restricted Areas, which have been so posted with appropriate signs by the City Traffic Engineer, if the MFF exceeds the designated height limit.

3. Shall not operate within a marked bus zone/stop and Metro stop.

4. Shall not operate within ten (10) feet in front of or ten feet behind a marked bus zone or Metro stop as measured linearly along the curb from the sign marking the bus zone or Metro stop.

5. Shall not operate within a curb zone with yellow, white, red or blue markings, or valet parking zones.

6. Shall not operate within a green curb zone during restricted times/hours established by LBMC section 10.26.010.

7. Shall not operate within 15 feet of any fire hydrant, fire lane, Fire Department Connection (FDC), or Fire backflow preventer.

8. Shall not operate within 20 feet of a driveway, alley approach, intersection, marked crosswalk, curb cutout /ADA Curb Ramp or other access ramp designed for individuals with disabilities, fire escape or emergency exit.

9. Shall not operate within 50 feet of any railroad crossing.

10. Shall not operate within 100 feet of the vehicle entrance of any fire station, police department, hospital, lifeguard tower, lifeguard headquarters, or any other emergency response structure or path.

11. Shall not operate on any slope greater than five percent or where wheels must be cramped to the curb.

12. Shall not operate within 25 feet of any beach access point or pier.

13. Shall not obstruct the free and easy access to and departure from any portion of any public landing, pier or wharf within the marinas.

14. Shall not operate or remain parked overnight on any public street or parking lot between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. per California Vehicle Code.

(ORD-26-0011 § 1(Exh. A), 2026)

A. Mobile Food Facility operations may operate on private property according to the provisions outlined under Title 21 and Title 22 of the LBMC.

(ORD-26-0011 § 1(Exh. A), 2026)

A. Mobile Food Facility events on private commercial property require a Mobile Food Facility Event Permit issued by the Director of Financial Management or his/her designee, pursuant to the provisions of this Section. If the intended event has entertainment included, then an Occasional Event Permit is required.

B. A Mobile Food Facility Event Permit shall not be issued for any premises or location for more than three consecutive days and issued at least 15 calendar days apart.

C. Applications for Mobile Food Facility Event Permits will be accepted for consideration only if the following requirements have been met. Failure to meet any of these requirements will render the application non-responsive. Non-responsive applications will not be processed:

1. The application shall be submitted no more than thirty (30) business days and no less than ten (10) business days prior to the event.

2. The applicant shall pay the filing fee, as established by resolution of the City Council, at the time the application is filed with the City.

3. All parties to the application must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

4. The application must be accompanied by lease/rental agreements, security contracts, and any other supporting documentation as required by the Director of Financial Management.

D. A Mobile Food Facility Event Permit shall be issued by the Director of Financial Management only after he/she has determined the following:

1. The peace and quiet of the neighborhood will not be disturbed.

2. Adequate security, as determined by the Director of Financial Management, has been afforded.

a. Where professional security services have been required, a written contract must be obtained and submitted to the Director of Financial Management no less than five (5) days prior to the scheduled event.

b. The contract must contain such information as the Director of Financial Management may require, including, but not limited to:

i. The event location;

ii. The date and specific hours of the event;

iii. The number of guards assigned; and

iv. A statement that the guards will be uniformed or non-uniformed and armed or unarmed.

c. The security contract must be signed by the permit applicant and by a duly authorized representative of a private patrol operator, as licensed by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, who is in possession of a Long Beach City business license, issued pursuant to Chapter 3.80 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

3. That all prerequisite requirements of other agencies or departments have been met.

4. In making a determination of whether or not to issue a Mobile Food Facility Event Permit, the Director of Financial Management may inspect the premises and site at which the event is to take place. The Director of Financial Management may also consider prior complaints, police service calls and other relevant information related to prior events on the premises.

E. A Mobile Food Facility Event Permit for a nonprofit fundraising event shall not be approved unless and until a charitable solicitation permit has been obtained pursuant to Chapter 5.28 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

F. Where a promoter has been engaged to market, advertise or conduct the event, said promoter must obtain a City business license prior to approval of the occasional event permit. If the event is a charitable event, then the promoter must also comply with all applicable requirements of Chapter 5.28 of the Long Beach Municipal Code.

G. As a condition of Mobile Food Facility Event Permit issuance, the permittee agrees to reimburse the City:

1. Whenever excessive police services, as determined by the Director of Financial Management, are required as the result of any incident or nuisance arising out of or in connection with the permitted event; and

2. For costs associated with the removal of signs posted in connection with the event, whether or not the signs had been permitted by any City department, as outlined in Chapter 21.44 of the LBMC.

H. In no event shall the issuance of a Mobile Food Facility Event Permit by the Director of Financial Management be construed as permission to disturb the peace. Permits may be denied or revoked by the City if it is determined that the event sponsor or any agent, employee or associate of any such event organizer has willfully made any false or misleading statement in an application or has not fully complied with the requirements of this Chapter or has violated any of the provisions of this Chapter or the provisions of any other applicable law, rule or regulation.

(ORD-26-0011 § 1(Exh. A), 2026)