Santa Ana, CA Street Vending: Vendor Permits (2026)

California SB 946 (codified at Government Code Sections 51036 through 51039) prohibits cities from imposing blanket bans on sidewalk vending and limits local regulation to objective health, safety, and welfare concerns. Santa Ana adopted local vending regulations in SAMC Chapter 36 Article XIV. Every mobile food vendor and sidewalk vendor must obtain a Santa Ana business license under SAMC Section 21-5, secure approval from the Orange County Health Care Agency for food handling, and conspicuously display all required permits as mandated by SAMC Section 36-702(B)(2). Food vendors must also comply with the California Retail Food Code and may operate as a Compact Mobile Food Operation under SB 972 (effective January 2023). The City cannot require proof of citizenship or immigration status as part of the permit application, per both SB 946 and SB 635 (the Street Vendor Business Protection Act signed in October 2025). First-time violations carry an administrative fine of 100 dollars, second violations 200 dollars, and subsequent violations within one year 500 dollars. Criminal penalties for unpermitted sidewalk vending are prohibited under state law. The City and County have conducted joint enforcement operations, including a notable 2023 action that shut down over 100 unpermitted vendors selling food without health permits in Santa Ana.