A viral video showcasing crowded street vendors in the San Fernando Valley has ignited criticism from licensed vendors and restaurant owners who feel overwhelmed by permits and fees while illegal vendors seem to be thriving without consequence.
The footage, filmed around Sherman Way and Independence Avenue in Canoga Park, captures a bustling array of sidewalk stands with smoky grills and tables, resembling a lively night market.
“It’s crazy,” remarked the videographer. “The area for illegal street vending is packed tonight.”
Comments on the video highlighted a noticeable double standard. Although restaurants with coal-fired ovens face strict regulations in Los Angeles, many vendors are seen openly grilling with charcoal on public sidewalks late at night.
“I adhere to all the rules—health standards, inspections, permit requirements, everything,” said Anthony DeVgenio, owner of Big Dick’s Hot Dogs, a premium mobile hot dog cart in West Hollywood. “Meanwhile, unlicensed vendors are blatantly ignoring regulations.”
DeVgenio expressed frustration at the extensive and expensive requirements needed for legal operation, like hand-washing sinks, temperature controls, refrigeration, and regular inspections. Additionally, his cart must be stored indoors when not in use.
He mentioned losing a significant portion of his income to unauthorized vendors.
“I had to register my business, pass a background check, get a sales license, and obtain a tax ID. Setting all this up cost me a fair bit. I pay taxes and inspection fees, and yet I’m seeing half my profits go to those not following the rules,” he lamented.
DeVgenio noted that while city officials acknowledge his concerns, no substantial action has been taken. He feels the rules are inconsistently applied.
“They tell me everyone should have an equal shot,” he remarked, “but while I do everything by the book, some vendors operate unchecked. It’s not about race or gender for me. It’s simply about fair business practices.”
The City of Los Angeles and LA County recently introduced a $2.8 million Sidewalk Vending Cart Program, aimed at providing over 280 free health-compliant food carts to vendors who navigate the permitting process.
The program is designed to support low-income entrepreneurs who struggle with the costs of compliance with new state laws around street food businesses.
This initiative follows updates brought by California’s Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, which introduced new permits for mobile food operations.
County officials also subsidized some fees and offered grants to help cover costs. However, critics argue that many informal vendors bypass these requirements altogether while continuing to operate.
Conflicts over vending regulations are intensifying across Los Angeles. A prominent lawsuit involves a longstanding swap meet near Los Angeles City College, where the owners claim that City Councilman Hugo Sotomartínez is obstructing enforcement of sidewalk vending regulations due to a “personal vendetta.”
The swap meet, which has been in operation for nearly 30 years, transitioned many of its vendors to surrounding sidewalks during the pandemic and hasn’t fully regained those customers since reopening.
Co-owner Philip Dane shared that he contacted the LA Police Department multiple times concerning vendor issues but to no avail. Requests for temporary parking restrictions were also reportedly dismissed.
The city councilman hasn’t directly responded to the specific allegations but mentioned he’s looking for a solution that balances the needs of both vendors and the market. Soto Martinez, having been raised in a family of street vendors, has personal insights about how the city’s treatment of vendors affects families.
In contrast, some other cities are tightening their regulations. For instance, Santa Monica recently reinforced enforcement while simultaneously launching a low-cost sidewalk vending program offering permits for just $75 annually. This effort came after multiple incidents showcased unsafe practices by vendors.
“We cannot accept the dangerous behaviors we’ve seen happening around the pier,” City Councilor Lana Negrete stated, highlighting risks associated with unlawful sales. She noted that illegal activities had increased substantially.
“Why is no one addressing the unfairness to those who are paying for permits and abiding by the rules?”
