Pomona adds more rules for sidewalk vendors, launches outreach program

At its most recent meeting, the Pomona City Council amended current street vendor rules and implemented additional regulations.

Under the new guidelines, street vendors must have the following to sell food or merchandise in Pomona: a city business license; sidewalk vending permit for vending equipment such as push carts or wagons; liability insurance; a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Food Handler Certificate; and permit for sidewalk vendors selling food.

Vendors must also follow spacing guidelines and not obstruct the safety of pedestrian traffic, under a pair of urgency ordinances adopted by the council unanimously on Monday, Oct. 25.

The new rules were prompted in part by a 2022 traffic accident in which a driver turned a vehicle and jumped a curb, injuring 12 people and killing at least one person as they waited for food sold by a street vendor, city officials said in a report to the council.

The city conducted a survey in June and found 114 vendors throughout Pomona, but only 24 were operating legally, according to the report.

City officials said those operating illegally could face fines of more than $1,000 after violating the street vending rules three or more times in one year.

More than 20 audience members, both in support and opposed to the regulations, spoke at the council meeting.

Joe Draper of J & J’s BBQ and Fish House restaurant said he has to pay taxes and fees associated with health permits for his business and found it unfair that vendors operating illegally are not held to the same standard.

“I appreciate that the council is considering brick-and-mortar businesses because I had begun to lose confidence in the city,” Draper said. “I do believe everyone has a right to make a living whether street vendors or brick-and-mortar.”

Those who opposed the ordinances voiced concerns over fairness and accessibility for street vendors.

“By imposing such strict regulations such as limiting them to a certain area or limiting operating hours, we risk excluding those individuals from the local economy,” Anissa Smith said during the meeting. “Strict regulations could force vendors out of business entirely, resulting in a loss of livelihood and loss of diversity in local commerce.”

In addition to adopting the ordinances Monday, the city approved spending an additional $16,000 for code enforcement services to provide four officers with overtime hours for vendor outreach efforts.

The outreach program will include educational materials for vendors provided online and in person.

The city and the health department will also hold an informational workshop, inviting vendors to learn about new regulations and how to apply for permits.

The new ordinances allow stationary vendors to operate only from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. and they cannot operate on any sidewalk less than 9 feet wide. They are also restricted from vending directly to vehicles or people within them.

Vendors may not use open-flame portable generators or propane grills, and they cannot provide seating if they are using the sidewalk for that space.

Distance restrictions from places such as the farmers market, the Pomona Fairplex, and special events will also be enforced.

Vendors will also be prohibited from vending in parks and in the eight-block downtown area between West First Street and West Fourth Street, an area popular with nightclubs and late-night events.

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According to the city, code enforcement officers have issued more than 1,000 citations since 2019, 300 of which were issued in 2024 alone.

Of the 300 citations issued this year, 72 have been paid, the city said. Unpaid citations total $487,000, officials said.

The city said it will begin enforcing the new rules on Nov. 18.

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