City officials in Huntington Beach are enforcing a crackdown on street vending, particularly in popular areas such as the beach, the pier, Pacific Coast Highway and the downtown district.
While sidewalk vending is permitted with a valid city-issued license, vendors are strictly prohibited from setting up shop on the sand, the pier, in nearby parking lots, or along certain high-traffic corridors.
The city’s sidewalk vending ordinance, which has been in place since 2019, requires anyone selling food, merchandise, or services in public spaces to first obtain a permit, or else violators could face steep consequences.
Vending in prohibited areas like the beach comes with a penalty of up to $1,000 per day, city officials confirmed.
A city spokesperson told KTLA’s Rachel Menitoff that the street vending ordinance is intended to prevent foodborne illness and address safety concerns associated with unpermitted food sales.
Leno Moreno, a local restaurant owner, supports the enforcement, saying it helps create a fair environment for businesses that comply with health and safety regulations.
“Now there’s a lot of those catering trucks. Some of them are legally operating, some of them are not legally operating, so it hurts a small business,” Moreno said.
Despite the rules, some residents and visitors believe the city’s approach may be too harsh.
Barbara Swanson, a Huntington Beach resident, said she’s bought fruit from street vendors and never experienced any issues.
“I have stopped on the corner to get fruit, and I’ve never gotten sick because it’s in ice. So, I’m all for it,” Swanson said. “I don’t have anything against it.”
Others said restricting vending on the beach hurts both vendors and beachgoers.
“For some people, that’s their livelihood,” said James Vanpelt, another Huntington Beach resident. “I mean, the beaches are so long. It would be convenient to go up and get a hot dog or slushy.”
Although California decriminalized sidewalk vending in 2018 through the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, the law allows cities to regulate when, where and how vendors operate.
The Huntington Beach Police Department said enforcement will include education and warnings. Officers will first explain the rules and ask for voluntary compliance before issuing citations.
The increased enforcement is already noticeable to some. “I don’t see anything wrong with that,” one local said. “It’s more competitive and now everybody is playing by the same rules.”
The city said its efforts are part of a broader push to manage public spaces while balancing health, safety and economic fairness.
