Long Beach Recovery Act to fund business assistance program during first year of ordinance.

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach, through the Long Beach Recovery Act, is funding a sidewalk vending support program, “Sidewalk to Success,” to help ease the financial burden for small businesses in the first year of the City’s recently approved Sidewalk Vending Ordinance which went into effect late February 2024.

The City Council approved the development of a sidewalk vending support program to cover the costs of the required business license and health permit fees for operating in the first year and provide reimbursements for the first year of insurance costs. Under the Sidewalk to Success Program, all costs will be covered at the time of the application, with the exception of insurance costs, which will be covered through a reimbursement process for an amount not to exceed $450. A second phase of the program is being developed that will provide up to 40 free food vending carts to sidewalk vendors who apply and meet eligibility requirements; actual carts available will depend on the type of carts and program participation. Details on eligibility and how to apply will be shared later this summer once established. 

“Small businesses play a vital role in the expansion of economic development for our City,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The new Sidewalk Vending Support Program will provide small business owners support and resources to safely serve their Long Beach customers.”

The Sidewalk to Success Program is now available for businesses. All applicants who apply for a sidewalk vendor business license and permit between Feb. 26, 2024, and Feb. 26, 2025, will not have to pay the $300 fee. During this time period, all applicants who also require a health permit and/or plan check will not have to pay the associated fees. All sidewalk vendors will be required to obtain general liability insurance coverage, which is required to be issued a business license. The City will reimburse each approved sidewalk vendor applicant up to $450 for the cost of this coverage upon receipt of the actual cost that is submitted by the vendor between Feb. 26, 2024, to Feb. 26, 2025. The goal of the program is to support sidewalk vendors who are interested in and are eligible to participate in the program. The actual number of vendors and financial support provided may vary depending on the applicants. Depending on the program’s participation levels and outcomes, additional funding may need to be explored.  

More information about the program, including how to apply for a sidewalk vendors business license and how to obtain a health permit from the Long Beach Health Department, is available at longbeach.gov/sidewalkvending. Additionally, the Health Department can be reached at 562.570.4132 for questions on health permits, and the Financial Management Department can be reached at 562.570.6211 for questions on business licenses.

The City’s Inclusive Business Navigators, a program also funded by the Long Beach Recovery Act, provides free business coaching and advising services to Long Beach small businesses. Through this program, the City partners with four community-based organizations to help guide sidewalk vendors through the business license and health permit process, assistance in obtaining the required insurance, among other business assistance and resource needs. Contact information for Inclusive Business Navigators is available at longbeach.gov/biznavigators, or contact BizCare for a direct referral by calling 562.570.4BIZ (4249) or 4Biz@longbeach.gov. Business assistance is available in English, Spanish and Khmer.

The City previously announced a sidewalk vending support program in January 2023 after the Long Beach City Council approved a new sidewalk vending ordinance with a 9 to 0 vote. The ordinance aligns with California’s Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946), which decriminalized sidewalk vending. The City’s sidewalk vending ordinance was developed at the direction of City Council, following extensive outreach.

Sidewalk to Success is made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery. The program also aligns with Goal 4 of Long Beach’s Racial and Reconciliation Initiative to improve health and wellness in the City by eliminating social and economic disparities where health outcomes are significantly below city averages.

Long Beach Implements New Rules for Street Vendors

Earlier this year, in an effort to support entrepreneurial and business development opportunities in the city while protecting public health, safety and ADA access, during its Jan. 23, 2024, meeting, the Long Beach City Council approved with a 9 to 0 vote a new sidewalk vending ordinance. This action creates a clear path for those who would like to sell food from compact mobile food operations, more commonly known as food carts, or other merchandise.

“As we grow Long Beach, it’s imperative to find ways to expand business opportunities in the city,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This new ordinance will open a new avenue of opportunities for small businesses while prioritizing public health, accessibility and safety.”

The new ordinance, which will go into effect on Feb. 23, 2024, aligns with California’s Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946), which decriminalized sidewalk vending. The City developed its own sidewalk vending ordinance, at the direction of City Council, following extensive outreach. A sidewalk vendor is a person who sells food or merchandise on a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path from a pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack or other non-motorized conveyance, or from one’s person. Food vendors are required to obtain a health permit from the Health Department.

A comprehensive handbook and other educational materials will be available by the time the ordinance is in effect. The City is also creating a multi-pronged educational campaign to alert current and potential sidewalk vendors of the new ordinance and the associated requirements, as well as financial assistance opportunities.

"The fruition of this long-awaited ordinance is a significant and historical milestone in the City of Long Beach," said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, who first brought forward the item in hopes of creating a clear pathway for street vendors to be able to obtain a business license so they can thrive while keeping their customers safe. See Ordinances here

Julian Lucas, is a photographer, a purveyor of books, and writer, but mostly a photographer. Don’t ever ask him to take photos of events because he will charge you a lot of money. Julian is also the owner and founder of Mirrored Society Book Shop, publisher of The Pomonan, founder of Book-Store, and founder of PPABF.