Downey, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (2026)

Section 6544.2 requires a sidewalk vending permit before anyone "engage[s] in, conduct[s], or carr[ies] on the business of sidewalk vending," whether roaming from place to place or stationed at a fixed spot, with exemptions only for certified farmers' markets, swap meets, and events already covered by a temporary special permit. The Section 6544.3 application goes to the Public Works Department with a non-refundable fee set by City Council resolution and must include the applicant's identity, whether the vendor will roam or stay stationary, a description of the food or merchandise and any cart (with height, width and depth), a map of the proposed route or location, proposed hours and days, a current Downey business license, a California seller's permit, proof of a Los Angeles County Health Permit and food-handler certification for food vendors, and proof of at least $2,000,000 in comprehensive liability insurance naming the City as additional insured.

Fingerprints go to the Chief of Police for a background check tied to disqualifying convictions. The Director of Public Works has 15 days to flag an incomplete application and up to 60 days after completeness to decide, and under Section 6544.4 must approve the permit unless the applicant has a disqualifying felony or moral-turpitude conviction within five years, a controlled-substance felony, a Penal Code Section 290 registration requirement, or unpaid fines from an earlier violation. Permits expire one year after issuance (Section 6544.6) and cannot be transferred (Section 6544.7).

Section 6544.9 sets citywide operating rules: vendors must display their permit and business license on the cart or their person, roaming vendors must move continuously except to complete a sale, roaming vending in residential areas is barred between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., and vending is prohibited within 25 feet of an intersection, traffic control device or fire hydrant, and within three feet of a curb edge.