Street vendor permits in Bakersfield, CA — sometimes called sidewalk vendor licenses, mobile vendor permits, or peddler permits — are the licenses required to sell goods or food on public property.
BMC Chapter 5.45 (Sidewalk Vendors) requires a city-issued Sidewalk Vendor Permit for anyone selling food or merchandise from a non-motorized pushcart, stand, or display on a public sidewalk or pedestrian path in Bakersfield. The chapter implements California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946, Gov. Code 51036-51039) and is administered by the City Treasury Division.
Adopted under California SB 946 (2018), BMC Chapter 5.45 decriminalizes street vending while imposing health, safety, and welfare rules. Applicants file a Sidewalk Vendor Permit application with the Bakersfield Treasury Division (Business Tax) along with a non-refundable processing fee, a CA seller's permit (for merchandise) or Kern County Public Health Department permit (for food/MFF), proof of ID acceptable under SB 946 (including ITIN in lieu of SSN), and the application checklist. Permits are issued under BMC 5.45.030 and are subject to compliance with BMC 5.45.040 operating rules. Penalties for vending without a permit are non-criminal — only administrative fines as set by SB 946 (Gov. Code 51039) apply: $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for any third or subsequent violation in a one-year period.
BMC 5.45 violations are infractions punishable by administrative fine only under the SB 946 statutory schedule: $100 / $200 / $500 within a 12-month period. Sustained non-compliance can result in permit revocation under the chapter. Vending in a prohibited location or without ADA-compliant clearance is the most common citation issue.
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