California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) preempts most local bans on sidewalk vending, allowing only objective health, safety, and welfare regulations.
California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, codified at Government Code sections 51036-51039, sharply limits how cities and counties can restrict sidewalk vendors. Local jurisdictions may not prohibit sidewalk vending in residential or commercial areas as a categorical matter. They may impose objective health, safety, and welfare regulations such as time, place, and manner restrictions, but must allow vending in most locations. Outright bans, perceived economic competition concerns, and most permit caps are preempted. SB 972 (2022) further amended the Retail Food Code to ease vendor compliance with safety standards. Violations of the act can be enforced only as administrative citations, not criminal penalties.
Cities enforcing prohibited bans face injunctive relief and attorney fees. Vendor citations exceeding allowed amounts must be reduced. Criminal enforcement against vendors is preempted.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Santa Maria, CA
Barking dogs in Santa Maria are addressed through the Good Neighbor Rules (Chapter 4-7) and animal control. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors is a n...
Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria regulates construction noise through Chapter 5-5. Construction in residential zones is generally restricted to daytime hours. Special permits may...
Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 5-5 regulates noise disturbances. Unnecessary, excessive, and annoying noises from all sources are prohibited. Residential...
Santa Maria, CA
Vehicles in Santa Maria driveways must not block sidewalks or extend into the public right-of-way. Driveway modifications require permits from the Public Wor...
Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Large commercial vehicles and heavy equipment must be stored in commercial or industri...
Santa Maria, CA
Santa Maria regulates on-street parking with time limits in certain areas. Vehicles must be currently registered and operable. The city enforces parking viol...
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