Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grants
Grant Amount
Up to $5KOpen date
May 2, 2025Application Deadline
June 27, 2025
About This Grant
The Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant Program, launched by Los Angeles County’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), aims to assist sidewalk vendors in the unincorporated areas of the County. The grant helps vendors formalize their businesses by providing financial support to meet the requirements of the County’s Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, which became effective in August 2024. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered in partnership with Inclusive Action for the City (IAC).
- Round I Deadline: May 2, 2025
- Round II Deadline: June 27, 2025
Additional rounds may be added, subject to funding availability.
How You Can Use the Funds
- Funds can be utilized for various business formalization and compliance requirements:
- For All Vendors (Food and Merchandise):
- Licensing costs (County, State, or Federal agencies) like a CA State Seller's Permit or DBA/Fictitious Name.
- Purchase of mobile sale-processing technology (e.g., Point-of-Sale systems). - For Food Vendors Only
- Permits such as Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) or Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO).
- Certifications like food handler or food manager training.
- Purchase of vending equipment approved by the LA County Department of Public Health (e.g., fire extinguishers, approved vending carts).
- Commissary space lease under the California Food Code. - General Setup Costs
Tables, umbrellas, and carts required for business, limited to program provisions. Note: Funds must be spent in a tiered hierarchy—requirements of tier 1 usage must be completed before moving on to tier 2.
Documents Required
- A Government-Issued ID (e.g., Driver’s License, Passport, or Matricula).
- California State Seller’s Permit.
- SSN or ITIN for tax and identity verification.
- DBA/Fictitious Name Filing if the business name does not include the applicant's last name.
- Proof of vending location, confirmed to be in unincorporated LA County
- Applicant’s phone number and home address (must also be in LA County).
- Evidence of meeting the revenue threshold and demonstrating COVID-19 financial impact.
- A detailed expenditure plan for how funds will be used for eligible purposes.
- Food Vendors Only: Proof of participation in a CMFO workshop.
Eligibility Requirements
- Sidewalk vendor must be self-employed and sell food or merchandise, operate alone, and not manage more than one cart. Employer applications will be disqualified.
- Must be based in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and adhere to the County's Sidewalk Vending Ordinance.
- Must have or seek to obtain Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC).
- The business must have started vending prior to March 2023.
- Annual household income must not exceed $100,000.
- Must demonstrate financial loss and impact due to COVID-19 between March 2019 and March 2023.
- Applicants cannot have received COVID-19 recovery grants through ARPA from local government agencies (e.g., City or County of Los Angeles).
- Cannot have a recurring history of violating health and safety regulations. Past violators may still apply with proof of significant corrective efforts.