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 citation — issued by LAPD — differs from an administrative or health citation.
Under California law and L.A.’s vending rules, vendors generally face fines — not arrest or jail — for local violations, while Health Department citations, not under Bass’s jurisdiction, typically address food safety and sanitation issues.
The move has angered permitted vendors, who say they are being forced to shoulder costs and regulations that operators without permits can avoid.
Anthony D’Eugenio, owner of Big Dix’s Hot Dogs — a licensed food vendor — blasted Bass’ decision as “shameful” and a slap in the face to vendors who follow the rules.
“Bass is pandering to stay in office,” D’Eugenio, who has operated his West Hollywood cart for five years, told The Post. “Why is it that only brick and mortars have to abide by high scrutiny?”
D’Eugenio, 55, said he pays $750 annually for his permit on top of costs for a business license, insurance, tax permits and a commissary.
“They punish hardworking people and reward criminals,” he said.
D’Eugenio called the policy “insulting” and suggested the restaurant industry consider suing the city.
“It’s insulting to me when somebody right across the street from me does what I do and charges more money than I do with complete immunity,” he said.
Bass’ embrace of the vendors puts her at odds with Councilwoman Nithya Raman, her political opponent in the mayoral race.
Raman has argued that the city should make it easier for vendors to obtain permits and enter the legal system rather than leaving large numbers of operators outside it.
“I think we need to make sure it’s easy for people to get these permits,” she said.
D’Eugenio, however, said Raman’s efforts to work with vendors on permitting gave Bass an opportunity to go even further.
“Nithya Raman got a spot engaging with street vendors about getting them certified, so Bass one-upped her by saying, ‘We’re not going to issue citations,’” D’Eugenio said. “This is all politically driven at hardworking people’s expense — not theirs, the merchants.”
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