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

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. 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. 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. 7). , and vending is prohibited within 25 feet of an intersection, traffic control device or fire hydrant, and within three feet of a curb edge.