Mayor Karen Bass makes stunning move on illegal street vendors

Illegal street vendors are getting a free pass in Los Angeles — a slap in the face to brick-and-mortar businesses — after Mayor Karen Bass ordered cops to stop issuing criminal citations to vendors who flout the rules.Bass’ office told the California Post Thursday that the mayor “stands firmly with street vendors” and has directed the LAPD to stop issuing criminal citations to vendors.“Street vending is a quintessential part of L.A.’s world-class food scene and a livelihood for thousands of hardworking Angelenos.Supporting L.A.’s street vendors is more important than ever given ongoing attacks by ICE,” her office said.The administration is also working to dismiss criminal citations that were improperly issued, according to the mayor’s office, so vendors are “not left with criminal records for working to provide for their families.”The move comes as thousands of Angelenos sell food and other goods on city sidewalks, especially during major events.

The recently concluded 2026 World Cup saw scores of street vendors across the city, while the 2028 Olympics are expected to bring millions more visitors — and potentially more unpermitted vendors — to the city.An estimated 50,000 vendors operate throughout Los Angeles, while only 687 active vending permits were recorded as of September 2024 — only 53 of those permits were for food vendors.Los Angeles street vendors are required to obtain a Sidewalk & Park Vending Permit to sell food or merchandise on city sidewalks and in city parks.The permit must be renewed annually, and food vendors must also obtain a Los Angeles County Public Health permit, along with a California seller’s permit and a city Business Tax Registration Certificate, according to the L.A. Bureau of Street Services.Vendors can be cited for operating without the required permits or for violating rules governing where and how they operate, including certain sidewalk, safety and food-handling requirements.A criminal citat...