Another Call for the Legalization of Los Angeles Street Vendors

Mark Vallianatos outlines the legal history and vehemently supports Los Angeles' estimated 10,000 street vendors selling everything from fruits to frozen treats.

2 minute read

October 16, 2014, 9:00 AM PDT

By Maayan Dembo @DJ_Mayjahn


In a recent The Los Angeles Times op-ed, Occidental College instructor and policy director of the Urban and Environmental Policy program Mark Vallianatos discusses the need for the city of Los Angeles to adopt a permit system allowing vendors to sell goods in sidewalks and parks. Indeed, Los Angeles is full of diverse cultures, each with their own unique dish and street food. However, according to Vallianatos, Los Angeles "is also the only one of the nation's 10 largest cities to completely outlaw sidewalk vending. At a time when the city is finally trying to develop a more vibrant urban core and make its streets more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists, the ban needs to be lifted."

Indeed, this lack of citywide permitting system is detrimental to the city, as it "deprives the city of tax revenue and licensing fees. And it potentially puts the public at risk, because vendors selling food on the black market have little incentive to familiarize themselves with and adhere to health codes."

Despite the city cracking down in 1980 on street vending, and then establishing certain zones in 1994, Vallianatos argues that "[i]t's time to create a citywide permit system to allow vendors to sell on sidewalks and in parks, with rules to allow pedestrian passage, to encourage safe and nutritious food and to collect sales taxes to help city finances. The city has considered enacting such a law a number of times but has not done so. And currently, the City Council is considering cracking down harder on vendors in public parks."

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 in The Los Angeles Times

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

SunRail passenger train at platform in Poinciana, Florida.

Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion

The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.

November 24, 2024 - Hoodline

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

CLose-up on black and white 25 mph speed limit sign.

Santa Monica Lowers Speed Limits

Posted speed limits will be reduced by 5 miles per hour on dozens of the city’s streets.

3 hours ago - Streetsblog California

Adult man talking to young woman across wooden garden fence with young girl standing next to him.

For Some, Co-Housing Offers Social and Economic Benefits

Residents of co-living developments say the built-in community helps ease the growing isolation felt by many Americans.

4 hours ago - NPR

View down San Francisco street with colorful residential buildings and high-rise downtown buildings in distance.

New Map Puts Bay Area Traffic Data in One Place

The Traffic Monitoring site uses community-collected speed and volume data to reveal traffic patterns on local roads.

5 hours ago - Streetsblog San Francisco

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.