Street vendor permits in Riverside, CA β sometimes called sidewalk vendor licenses, mobile vendor permits, or peddler permits β are the licenses required to sell goods or food on public property.
Riverside regulates sidewalk vending under RMC 5.94, implementing CA SB 946. Vendors need a city permit plus a county health permit for food. Penalties are administrative, with ability-to-pay reductions.
California Senate Bill 946 (codified at Government Code Sections 51036-51039) legalized sidewalk vending statewide and restricts how cities may regulate it. Riverside adopted Chapter 5.94 of the Municipal Code to comply. Every sidewalk vendor in Riverside must apply for a sidewalk vendor permit through the Finance Department, provide a California seller's permit number (CDTFA), a tax identification number, and certification from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health for any food sales. A vendor cannot be required to operate from a fixed commercial location, and the city cannot ban sidewalk vending outright. Violations of Chapter 5.94 are punishable only by administrative fines: a first offense is up to $100, second is up to $200, third up to $500 within a year, and vending without a permit triggers a separate schedule up to $1,000. Under Government Code 51039, a vendor may request an ability-to-pay determination that may reduce a fine by up to 80 percent. Fines cannot be converted into misdemeanor or infraction convictions. The city may revoke or deny a permit for repeated serious violations, but must provide a notice-and-appeal procedure.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Riverside code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Riverside, CA
Riverside has no city ordinance restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private property. California Civil Code Β§4710 limi...
Riverside, CA
Riverside has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to rig...
Riverside, CA
Riverside has no city ordinance setting installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Lights are permitted year...
Riverside, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Riverside require permits through the Community & Economic Development Department: a building permit for the structure, a mechan...
Riverside, CA
Riverside has no city-specific ordinance regulating residential backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens at single-family homes. Operation is gov...
Riverside, CA
Riverside adopts the California Fire Code under RMC Title 16. CFC Β§308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (charcoal, wood) and propane tanks larger tha...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle vendor permits.
See how Riverside's vendor permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.