Earlier editions: 2026-07
Article 5 — Sanitation and Health
Santa Monica Municipal Code Ch. 5.06 Food Distribution on Public Property
Santa Monica Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Santa Monica
Cite as: Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 5.06 · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 5.06.010. Food distribution in public parks and on the City Hall lawn.¶
Persons and groups who wish to routinely distribute free meals and other food to needy people in Santa Monica are encouraged to participate in programs which provide meals indoors in conjunction with other services intended to help needy people find housing and jobs. Information on how to participate in such programs may be obtained from the Department of Community and Cultural Services.
Persons who serve or distribute food to the public in City parks or on the City Hall lawn must comply with:
(a) Applicable State health and safety standards regulating food service and distribution, including, but not limited to, the requirements of obtaining and displaying a valid permit from the Los Angeles County Department of Health for distributing food at a location approved by the City pursuant to State guidelines administered by Los Angeles County and guidelines adopted by the City;
(b) All applicable requirements of the City of Santa Monica’s Community Events Law; and
(c) The City’s Park Maintenance Code, which protects park facilities and foliage and ensures that the parks are a shared resource available to all members of the public.
| Information about all three of these laws is available from the Department of Community and Cultural Services. |
|---|
(Added by Ord. No. 2055 § 1, adopted 10/22/02; amended by Ord. No. 2117CCS § 1, adopted 2/24/04)
§ 5.06.020. Food distribution on public streets and sidewalks prohibited without City…¶
No person shall distribute or serve food to the public on a public street or sidewalk without City authorization in the form of a vending permit, use permit, outdoor dining license or community event permit. However, no permit or license shall be required for a noncommercial food distribution that does not interfere with the free use of the sidewalk or street by pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Any person violating this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars per violation, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(Added by Ord. No. 2055 § 1, adopted 10/22/02; amended by Ord. No. 2117 § 2, adopted 2/24/04)
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