Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant Program

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), in partnership with Inclusive Action for the City, has established the Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant Program to support sidewalk vendors operating in the unincorporated areas of the County. This initiative recognizes the financial and regulatory challenges faced by micro-entrepreneurs in the informal economy, particularly those who were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and aims to facilitate compliance with the County’s Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, which became effective in August 2024. Eligible sidewalk vendors can receive financial assistance ranging from $500 to $5,000 to help cover costs associated with becoming compliant with the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance. These expenses include obtaining the required Los Angeles County Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC), covering permit-related fees, licensing requirements, and purchasing necessary equipment. The program also provides targeted support for food vendors who may require specialized certifications and equipment, including CMFO and MEHKO permits, commissary leases, and food safety training. The structure of the grant requires adherence to a tiered funding model, wherein tier 1 requirements must be satisfied before funds can be used for tier 2 expenses. To be eligible for the grant, vendors must meet several criteria: they must be self-employed, operate only one cart, and vend within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. The business must have been established before March 2023, and the applicant must reside within the County. Additionally, the vendor must not have received previous COVID-19 relief funding from ARPA-related sources, including the City or County of Los Angeles or the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. Only households with an annual income of $100,000 or less are eligible, and applicants must demonstrate financial impact due to the pandemic, particularly between March 2019 and March 2023. Applications for the Formalization Grant opened on March 7, 2025, and are accepted on a rolling basis, contingent on the availability of funding. This means there is no fixed deadline, and the application window remains open until the allocated funds are exhausted. Prospective applicants are encouraged to ensure they operate in eligible unincorporated areas of the County, a determination that can be made using the County’s district locator tool. Required documentation includes a government-issued ID, California State Seller’s Permit, SSN or ITIN, and DBA/Fictitious Filing if applicable. Food vendors must also have attended a Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) Workshop. The selection process involves a thorough review of eligibility, along with scoring criteria set by the County. These include participation in Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) programs and demonstrated efforts toward regulatory compliance. While meeting eligibility requirements is necessary, it does not guarantee a grant award, as the process is competitive and based on both compliance readiness and funding availability. Support for applicants is provided through the DEO Office of Small Business (OSB), which offers consultation services via phone, email, and in-person visits. Those interested may schedule a meeting with an OSB Concierge for personalized assistance. The grant program serves as a crucial mechanism for integrating marginalized entrepreneurs into the formal economy while promoting public health and safety in sidewalk vending practices across Los Angeles County.