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

Section 6405.2 makes it unlawful to operate as a Sidewalk Vendor, roaming or stationary, anywhere in Lakewood without a valid Sidewalk Vendor Permit issued under this Chapter, on top of any other permit the Code otherwise requires. Section 6405.3 routes the application to the City Manager or designee and requires a full, true name and California driver's license, ID card, or taxpayer ID number; a City of Lakewood business license under the "Peddler" designation; a Live Scan background check; a valid California seller's permit; a current photograph and address; a description of the food or merchandise, including a Food Handler Card or Certified Food Protection Manager certificate for food sales; proof of liability insurance; and an application fee set by City Council resolution to cover processing costs. Applications are worked in the order received, and the City may request supplemental information, which the applicant has seven business days to supply.

A permit is nontransferable, runs for 12 months, is issued to the person rather than the pushcart or wagon, and cannot attach to a permanent or proprietary location on any property in the City. Every permit must be displayed in plain view while vending. Denials and permit conditions can be appealed to the License and Permit Hearing Board. Notably, California Government Code Section 51038(c)(1)(D)(iii), part of the state Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, bars a local authority from requiring a sidewalk vendor to submit to a background check, Live Scan fingerprinting, or criminal-history inquiry as a condition of a vending permit, which puts Lakewood's own Live Scan requirement in direct tension with state law.