Ensuring Safe and Legal Sidewalk Vending in Santa Barbara

As we celebrate upcoming community events, it’s crucial to understand and adhere to the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance that took effect on April 9, 2022. T

his ordinance ensures that both stationary and roaming vendors can operate safely while maintaining public health and access.

By supporting only authorized vendors, we protect public health, safety, and our local businesses.

Let’s work together to keep our celebrations safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Read more here.

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30 Comments

  1. Maybe the City should have made more of an effort to secure the SBCC area again so we don’t have only ONE area for hundreds of thousands of people to jam in to for the biggest Fiesta of our history.

    And I guarantee I’ll be eating all the “illegal” food I can find! Nothing like suspicious street meats on a hot day!

  2. Appreciate the attempt by the city to deal with this serious issue in a light manner but the food purveyors that occupy sidewalks and what not without inspection of their sanitation are a real threat to public safety and a seriously unfair competition with vendors/restaurants that comply with the rules, pay their staff fairly, pay taxes and behave safely.

    • RHS – how are they a threat to public safety? No one is being forced to eat their food. There are many other options. Anyone and everyone knows (or should know by now) that they are taking a risk when eating fruit or bacon wrapped street dogs off a cart. I’ve never heard of anyone being forced to eat their food.

      As for unfair…..well, capitalism.

        • AHCHOO – buying a hot dog off a greasy cart does not have the same expectations of quality and food safety as sitting down to a meal at a nice restaurant.

          Where does the permitting and regulation end? Do you want to require lemonade stands and bake sales to have permits and health inspections?

          The energy spent complaining about street vendors is ridiculous. That’s my point. Don’t like em, don’t buy food from them.

            • RUBY – it’s not unwholesome necessarily. I and others have eaten plenty off these carts and never been sick. I HAVE been violently ill with food poisoning (far above a 3/10 pain level) from some local restaurants with great ratings.

          • I see your point, but prepared meats have more potential for food-borne contaminants than does lemonade. Also, there was a mention of cart workers pouring used grease in storm drains, and having unsafe cooking devices. Then there is the issue of location; should we not have rules to say people can’t randomly decide to plop their food cart in front of my house or business?

            • AHCHOO – fair point. Unlawful actions like that should be ticketed or prevented. But plenty restaurants (I’ve been in the kitchen of many around town) violate disposal and cleanliness laws all the time.

              My point is, we shouldn’t be banning or calling the cops on these small time guys trying to make some money. If you see them pouring grease, yeah report it. But leave them alone to sell delicious greasy dogs and fruit to those willing to take a chance!

      • Really, SACJON you have gone off the deep end here. The reason travelers take diarrhea tabs with them to “third world” destinations is because they do know that the food is risky. We are trying to be a safer place. And you do not speak to the unfairness of such competition with vendors who comply with the rules, pay ;their taxes, pay their leases, pay their employees fairly. I am surprised and disappointed at our apparent and vigorous knee jerk defense of this. (Maybe you would condone street dentists with the caveat: Buyer Bewre?)

        • Do you really need a sign telling you that street meat might be sketchy? LOL

          I did speak to the unfairness: capitalism. So a street dog guy brings in a couple hundred bucks on a good night. So what? Maybe local restaurants should make an effort to compete. Stay open later, provide other options, charge less… etc etc etc. Capitalism.

          • AHCHOO – once again, that’s not what I’m saying. Yes, clean restaurants can make you sick. They also have far more resources and expectations to uphold.

            A single dude with a hot dog cart is just trying to make a buck. I don’t think people should get so upset about it. Don’t like it, don’t eat it. If it bothers you to see them, close your eyes or walk the other direction.

            That. Is. All.

            Not saying you are, but it’s really funny to see those who are notedly conservative and anti-government regulation being those who usually complain the most about these food vendors.

            Live and let live. It’s not a big deal.

            • I am just trying to follow the reasoning for the regulations. I think another factor is that the carts are mobile, and thus if people were to report getting sick from it, or seeing an unsafe practice (e.g., open flames), the cart could pop up in various locations, and would not be easily traceable. (But I’ve never complained about a food cart. Nor am I conservative!)

              • ACHOO – I know, I said “not saying you are.”

                I get that some regulation could benefit. I agree. What I oppose though is the constant complaining about them, the calling the cops on them and all this other crap I see from people here (not necessarily you) and Facebook, Nextdoor, etc.

                Again, if you don’t like it, don’t eat. People need to stop trying to force regulations that would put them out of business or just be “feel good” permits that really don’t increase public safety (eg, requiring an expensive, yet useless business permit which has no health requirements, forcing them off State St., etc).

                If you see a food cart pouring flaming oil into a storm drain, yes… say something quick! But man, some people spend all day complaining about these guys and I don’t see the fuss.

                I think we’ve covered it.

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