California SB 946 (Gov. Code §§ 51036-51039) decriminalized sidewalk vending statewide; cities may regulate but not ban outright. Riverside requires a Sidewalk Vending Permit and follows time/place/manner rules consistent with SB 946.
California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946, 2018; Gov. Code §§ 51036-51039) bars cities from imposing outright prohibitions on sidewalk vending and limits cities to objective health, safety, and welfare regulations. Cities may not require operators to give up vending rights as a condition for other permits, may not bar vending in parks except for narrow exceptions (e.g., where the City has an exclusive concession agreement and the prohibition is limited to that concession area). Riverside issues a Sidewalk Vending Permit through the City Finance Department; applicants need (1) a Riverside business tax certificate, (2) a California Seller's Permit if selling taxable goods, (3) a Riverside County DEH Mobile Food Facility permit if selling food, and (4) general liability insurance per city schedule. Operators must keep a clear path of at least 4 ft on the sidewalk (ADA — 28 CFR Part 36 Appendix A § 403.5.1), may not vend within 18 inches of a curb, may not vend in roadways, and must follow city sign and noise ordinances. Per SB 946, criminal penalties for unpermitted vending are prohibited — enforcement is by administrative fine: up to $100 first violation, $200 second, $500 third within one year (Gov. Code § 51039(a)). Selling food without a county DEH permit is, separately, a misdemeanor under California Health & Safety Code § 114387.
Administrative fines under Gov. Code § 51039: $100/$200/$500 escalating, or $250/$500/$1,000 if vending without a business license, with the ability to waive the fine on proof of inability to pay. Health-permit violations are misdemeanors under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 114387.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Riverside, CA
Riverside requires a building permit for fences and walls taller than 6 feet, and for all retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from footing bottom to top of...
Riverside, CA
Riverside requires fences to be structurally sound, set back appropriately from property lines and public right-of-way, and to preserve sight-distance at dri...
Riverside, CA
Livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs are permitted only in Riverside's agricultural (A) and rural-residential (RR, RC) zones on parcels m...
Riverside, CA
In Riverside, a building permit is required for any accessory structure over 120 square feet under California Building Code Section 105.2 and RMC Title 16. S...
Riverside, CA
Riverside Code Enforcement generally opens a case within 1-3 business days of an Engage 311 report. Routine inspections typically happen within 5-10 business...
Riverside, CA
Commercial filming in Riverside requires a permit from the Riverside Film Office at least five business days in advance, with $1M general liability naming th...
See how Riverside's sidewalk & mobile vending rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.