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

A. All sidewalk vendors must comply with all applicable provisions of the Long Beach Municipal Code, including, but not limited to:

1. Chapter 8.63 - Polystyrene Food Packaging;

2. Chapter 8.80 - Noise;

3. Section 16.08.420 - Disposal of refuse;

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

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

B. All sidewalk vendors vending food must comply with and are subject to:

1. Title 8 of this Code; and

2. The California Health and Safety Code.

C. Hours of operation. Sidewalk vending may only be conducted during the following hours of operation:

1. Permissible roaming sidewalk vending in residential areas may occur between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., or between 8:00 a.m. and sunset, whichever is later.

2. Permissible sidewalk vending in non-residential areas, excluding areas zoned as parks, may occur between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. or during the operating hours imposed on other businesses on the same block, whichever is least restrictive.

3. Permissible sidewalk vending in areas zoned as parks may occur between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and the closing time of the park or, if there is no designated closing time, at sunset.

4. Notwithstanding the aforementioned operating hours, no sidewalk vendor may vend within one (1) 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.

D. All sidewalk vendors must operate in a space no larger than one hundred (100) square feet.

E. All sidewalk vendors must maintain adequate trash containers in or on their sidewalk vending conveyance or self, such that any trash generated by the sidewalk vending and/or the customers of the sidewalk vendor can be properly collected and disposed of by the sidewalk vendor.

F. All sidewalk vendors must clean up all trash and debris related to their sidewalk vending within a ten (10) foot radius around their vending area. No sidewalk vendor shall use a public trash receptacle to dispose of their trash.

G. All sidewalk vendors shall immediately clean up any food, grease, fluid, or items related to their sidewalk vending that falls onto public or private property.

H. Any set up of tables, chairs, canopies, and/or umbrellas must be for the sole use of the sidewalk vendor. Any umbrella must have a minimum height of eight (8) feet and must be secured. Stationary sidewalk vendors may set up one (1) canopy for the sole use of the sidewalk vendor, not to exceed ten (10) feet by ten (10) feet and must abide by the following: the canopy must be properly secured and must have a cane-detectable barrier between each of the legs of the canopy. If using a canopy, a stationary sidewalk vendor shall maintain a minimum four (4) feet of clear, uncovered sidewalk/pedestrian path width as a path of travel, and five (5) feet in areas identified as High Volume or Very High Volume Pedestrian Zones as designated by the City's Traffic Engineer and Director of Public Works. Sidewalk vendors may not set up tables, chairs, umbrellas or canopies for customer use.

I. All sidewalk vendors must comply with all applicable laws relating to the employment of minors. Any minor assisting with or engaged in sidewalk vending shall be accompanied by a sidewalk vendor with the required valid license and permit(s). Any and all actions of the minor related to sidewalk vending, including any violations committed by the minor, shall be attributable to the sidewalk vendor.

J. All sidewalk vendors must comply with all posted parking restrictions, including when using motorized vehicles to load or unload sidewalk vending conveyances, equipment, materials, or personnel.

K. No sidewalk vendors shall drive onto or otherwise stage any motorized vehicle on any curb, parkway or sidewalk to load or unload sidewalk vending conveyances, equipment, materials or personnel. No sidewalk vendors shall use any motorized vehicle to drive onto sidewalks, pedestrian paths, pathways, turf, or sandy areas.

L. Stationary sidewalk vendors shall not use amplified or non-amplified sound-making devices in conjunction with their sidewalk vending, such as speakers, microphones, public address systems, bells, and chimes.

M. Roaming sidewalk vendors shall not use amplified or non-amplified sound-making devices in conjunction with their sidewalk vending, with the exception of bells and chimes.

N. Sidewalk vendors may not use red and blue flashing signs. Any other flashing sign used in sidewalk vending must not be facing a highway or traffic.

O. Sidewalk vendors may use a private property owner's utilities (e.g., water or power) only if the sidewalk vendor has prior authorization from the private property owner and use of the utilities does not present a safety hazard (e.g., tripping hazard) or accessibility challenge.

P. All sidewalk vendors shall not:

1. Leave their sidewalk vending conveyance, equipment, food, and/or merchandise unattended.

2. Store their sidewalk vending conveyance, equipment, food, and/or merchandise on public property.

3. Rent merchandise to customers.

4. Solicit sales by travelling door-to-door on private property.

5. Hang or affix any items to above ground structures, fences, gates, trees, or onto public or private buildings.

6. Display merchandise or food that is not available for immediate sale.

7. Vend food or merchandise that requires verification of a minimum age for purchase, such as alcoholic beverages (as defined in Section 9.02.020 of this Code), tobacco, tobacco products, cannabis, or firearms.

8. Vend any controlled substance, drug, or pharmaceutical.

9. Vend vaping or drug paraphernalia.

10. Vend adult-oriented material.

11. Vend animals.

12. Vend counterfeit, stolen, or illegal goods.

13. Vend weapons, including but not limited to, knives, guns, explosive devices, BB devices, or imitation firearms.

14. 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 sidewalk vending, such as cooler water, ice, or food preparation water.

15. Adversely affect the City's ability to perform municipal functions or furnish City services.

16. Interfere with the performance of police, firefighter, lifeguard and/or emergency medical personnel services.

17. Obstruct the free and easy access to and departure from any portion of any public landing, pier or wharf within the marinas.

(ORD-24-0002 § 1, 2024)

A. Stationary sidewalk vendors shall maintain a minimum four (4) feet of clear sidewalk/pedestrian path width as a path of travel, and five (5) feet in areas identified as High Volume or Very High Volume Pedestrian Zones as designated by the City's Traffic Engineer and Director of Public Works.

B. Sidewalk vendors shall not vend:

1. On any public property that does not meet the definition of a "sidewalk" or "pedestrian pathway," as defined by this Chapter, unless otherwise authorized by this Chapter.

2. On any private property, unless authorized by the owner of the private property and the vendor has secured an administrative use permit. This includes any City-owned property subject to a lease agreement, including, but not limited to, the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Shoreline Village, the Pike Outlets, Rainbow Harbor Esplanade, Rancho Los Alamitos, Rancho Los Cerritos, municipal golf courses and community gardens.

3. At a protected habitat or mitigation areas, including but not limited to, Colorado Lagoon, DeForest Park and Wetlands, El Dorado Nature Center, Golden Shore Marine Reserve, Jack Dunster Marine Reserve, Los Cerritos Wetlands, Sims Pond, and Willow Springs Park and Wetlands.

4. On any sidewalk or other pedestrian path with a slope greater than five (5) percent or where signage indicates that wheels must be cramped to the curb.

5. In any location where the sidewalk vending obstructs traffic signals or regulatory signs.

6. To any customer in an unparked vehicle, including a vehicle that is stopped in traffic.

7. On any sidewalk, roadway or adjacent shoulder within five hundred (500) feet of a freeway off ramp or on ramp.

8. Within eighteen (18) inches of the edge of a curb.

9. Within five (5) feet of an above ground structure.

10. Within five (5) feet of a bus stop or Metro stop.

11. Within ten (10) feet of a driveway, alley approach or marked crosswalk.

12. Within ten (10) feet of an ATM or outlined shared e-scooter or bike parking.

13. Within fifteen (15) feet of a commercial outdoor dining area, sidewalk dining area, permanent parklet, or location with a valid encroachment permit.

14. Within fifteen (15) feet of a street intersection.

15. Within fifteen (15) feet of a loading zone, ADA curb/ramp/curb cut, parking space, or access ramp designed for individuals with disabilities.

16. Within twenty-five (25) feet of a beach access point.

17. Within fifty (50) feet of a railroad crossing.

18. Within twenty-five (25) feet of a Los Angeles County waterway and/or flood control fencing.

19. Within one hundred (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.

20. Within one hundred (100) feet of a posted sidewalk or street closure, unless otherwise permitted.

C. Stationary sidewalk vendors shall not vend:

1. In areas zoned as exclusively residential.

2. Within twenty (20) feet of any detached or freestanding single-family home located in a mixed-use zone (i.e., area zoned as both residential and commercial).

3. Within ten (10) feet of an entrance or exit to a building/ structure/facility, fire escape, or emergency exit.

4. Within fifteen (15) feet of a Fire Department connection, fire hydrant, fire lane or any fire backflow preventer.

5. Within twenty (20) feet of another stationary sidewalk vendor.

D. Roaming sidewalk vendors shall not vend:

1. Where they block the entrance or exit to a building/structure/ facility, fire escape, or emergency exit.

2. Where they block a Fire Department connection, fire hydrant, fire lane or any fire backflow preventer.

E. Sidewalk vendors vending food shall not vend within fifteen (15) feet of a public restroom.

F. Sidewalk vendors may vend in a parkway, so long as the vending only occurs on areas where plants are not present, no damage is done to the parkway landscaping, it is safe to vend in the parkway, and all other requirements under this Chapter are met.

G. For permitted swap meets, permitted certified farmers' markets, and areas designated for a temporary special permit (collectively "events"), the following also applies:

1. For events with less than five thousand (5,000) attendees and where limited venue access/egress is not a factor, sidewalk vendors may not vend within two hundred fifty (250) feet of the event.

2. For events with more than five thousand (5,000) attendees and where limited venue access/egress is not a factor, sidewalk vendors may not vend within five hundred (500) feet of any entrance or exit to the event or within two hundred fifty (250) feet of the perimeter of the event.

3. For all other events, sidewalk vendors may not vend within five hundred (500) feet of the event.

4. The vending restrictions described above in subparagraphs (1) through (3) to paragraph G of this Section, apply as follows:

a. For permitted swap meets or permitted certified farmers' markets: during the limited operating hours of the certified farmer's market or swap meet.

b. For an area designated for a temporary special permit: during the limited duration of the temporary special use permit.

5. For areas designated for a temporary special permit, any notice, business interruption mitigation, or other right provided to affected businesses or property owners under the City's temporary special permit are also provided to any sidewalk vendors specifically permitted to operate in the area, if applicable.

H. In areas zoned as parks, the following also applies:

1. Stationary sidewalk vendors are not permitted to operate within five hundred (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. Sidewalk vendors are not permitted to operate within fifteen (15) feet of any City monument, statue, memorial, or art installation.

3. Stationary sidewalk vendors may vend within the space ten (10) feet off of a pedestrian, bike, or shared use path, measured perpendicular to the path, so long as it is safe to do so, customers do not queue on the path, the vendor is not within five hundred (500) feet of a concessionaire that has signed an agreement with the City that exclusively permits the sale of food or merchandise by the concessionaire, and all other requirements under this Chapter are met.

4. Sidewalk vendors shall not use any motorized vehicle to drive onto pathways, turf or sandy areas.

5. Sidewalk vendors shall take appropriate care to not damage turf, irrigation or any other infrastructure while engaging in sidewalk vending.

6. Roaming sidewalk vendors may vend on greenspace or sandy areas, but shall not interfere with any sporting events or the free use of any designated sport play areas or open recreation space and shall not approach spectators who are watching a sporting activity to vend food or merchandise.

(ORD-24-0002 § 1, 2024)

In residential zones only, minors under age of eighteen (18) vending on public sidewalks or other pedestrian paths for a temporary use or selling products for a recognized 501(c)(3) charity for the purpose of fundraising shall be exempt from the requirements of this Chapter. Access and accessibility provisions still apply.

(ORD-24-0002 § 1, 2024)