Santa Barbara County's six-month Sidewalk Vending Pilot Program, which operated from April to October, successfully enhanced public health, improved roadway safety, and supported permitted vendors and restaurants that adhere to regulations, the county stated. The program was initiated after the Board of Supervisors adopted a Sidewalk Vending Ordinance on March 3. This ordinance was a direct response to growing public health and safety concerns arising from unpermitted food vending in the unincorporated areas of the county, specifically citing risks such as foodborne illnesses, unsanitary conditions, and obstructions on sidewalks and roadways.
Environmental Health Services (EHS), part of the County Health Department, led an interdepartmental team that also included staff from Public Works and the Sheriff’s Office. This team organized events in the unincorporated Santa Maria area and the Santa Ynez Valley, targeting locations where unpermitted vendors were known to operate. Through these focused events, the county achieved several key outcomes.
The program resulted in the removal of 1,156 pounds of contaminated food, which vendors either discarded voluntarily or was impounded. Additionally, 13 sets of cooking equipment were impounded, and 13 Notices of Violation were issued to vendors not adhering to regulations.
Beyond direct enforcement, the county also collaborated with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to address safety hazards specifically related to roadside vending along State Routes 154 and 246. The CHP conducted social media outreach, issued warnings, and gave lawful orders to vendors. Officials reported that these actions, backed by the possibility of further enforcement, led to strong voluntary compliance from vendors.
In June and July alone, the California Highway Patrol issued 66 warnings and citations, prompting vendors to relocate or cease their operations. Following these efforts, Environmental Health Services reported a significant decrease, observing very few unpermitted roadside vendors in unincorporated areas since July. Jason Johnston, director of Environmental Health Services, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, "Collaboration with the California Highway Patrol is essential to protecting public health and ensuring safe conditions along our roadways."
To complement its enforcement efforts, the county launched a bilingual public awareness campaign in both English and Spanish. This campaign aimed to help residents identify permitted vendors and to guide vendors toward compliance with county regulations. Components of the campaign included a Safe Sidewalk Vending webpage, which provided a vending guide and agency contacts, along with a bilingual brochure distributed to vendors and community partners. The county also sent monthly newsletters to 39,000 recipients.
A public service announcement titled "Before You Take a Bite, Take a Look" urged residents to verify that vendors displayed a valid health permit. This PSA proved highly effective, becoming one of the County’s top-performing social media posts, garnering more than 72,000 views and 250 shares.
While the six-month pilot program has concluded, the county confirmed that the work will continue. Environmental Health Services will maintain its regular operations, which include responding to community complaints about unpermitted vendors. Under the county’s ordinance, approved sidewalk food vendors are permitted to sell low-risk, preapproved items, such as fruit and other prepackaged or simple foods, from small carts or stands on paved sidewalks. Vendors must prominently display a valid county health permit.
Conversely, certain activities remain prohibited. These include large pop-up setups, open-flame cooking, the sale of raw meat or other high-risk foods, and vending in streets, roadways, medians, or bike lanes. Residents who encounter unpermitted food vending can report it to Environmental Health Services. The Santa Barbara office can be reached at 805-681-4900, and the Santa Maria office at 805-346-8460. Reports can also be submitted online via the County reporting form. When reporting, residents should include the location, date and time, and a description of the vending operation. Vendors seeking information on how to operate legally can find permitting details on the county’s Safe Sidewalk Vending webpage.
