Long Beach's Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles food trucks & mobile vendors a little differently. In Long Beach, California, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Vending Zones
Long Beach Municipal Code § 5.73.120 bans stationary sidewalk vending outright in residential zones and layers numeric buffers on every other block, 500 feet from freeway ramps, 100 feet from fire and police stations, 25 feet from beach access points, and 20 feet between two stationary vendors, plus a 4-foot minimum clear path, 5 feet in high-volume pedestrian zones.
Key details: Residential zones: Stationary vending prohibited entirely. Freeway ramp buffer: 500 feet. Fire/police/hospital buffer: 100 feet. Beach access buffer: 25 feet. Vendor-to-vendor spacing: 20 feet.
Location violations are enforced through the administrative citation process in Chapter 9.65, with fines set by Section 5.73.160: $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each additional violation, with permit revocation possible on a fourth violation. Equipment used in a locational violation can also be impounded under Section 5.73.150 if the vendor refuses to relocate when ordered by an enforcement officer.
Food Truck Permits
Food trucks in Long Beach need a city business license and LA County Health Permit per LBMC Ch. 5.37. The city's sidewalk vending ordinance (LBMC Ch. 5.73, effective Feb 2024) regulates roaming vendors in residential areas from 8 AM to 8 PM or sunset.
Key details: Business License: Required. Health Permit: LA County required. Code: LBMC Ch. 5.37, Ch. 5.73. Residential Hours: 8 AM - 8 PM or sunset.
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
A vendor selling food from a pushcart, stand or other nonmotorized conveyance on a Long Beach sidewalk needs a health permit from the City's own Department of Health and Human Services in addition to the base sidewalk vendor permit. Municipal Code § 5.73.030(B) requires that health permit for all food sidewalk vending except very small prepackaged-food operations.
Key details: Health permit issuer: LB Dept. of Health and Human Services. Small-vendor exception: ≤25 sq ft, prepackaged food only. Max operating footprint: 100 sq ft. Residential hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. (or sunset if later). School-zone ban: 7 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays, 1 block.
Sidewalk vending of food without the § 5.73.030(B) health permit is punishable under the California Health and Safety Code per § 5.73.160(D), separate from the Chapter's own graduated fine schedule for other violations, which runs from a $100 administrative fine for a first offense up to $500 for repeat offenses within a year, plus permit revocation on a fourth violation (§ 5.73.160(A)).
The Bottom Line
Long Beach's food trucks & mobile vendors rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Long Beach is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Long Beach can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.