Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant

The Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant Program is a funding initiative offered by the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in collaboration with Inclusive Action for the City (IAC). The program supports sidewalk vendors operating within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County by helping them meet the requirements of the County's Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, which became effective in August 2024. The program provides financial assistance to cover necessary permitting and compliance-related expenses to support vendors transitioning into the formal economy. Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the grant program distributes over $1 million in direct support to qualifying sidewalk vendors. Grants range from $500 to $5,000 per recipient and are distributed on a rolling basis starting March 7, 2025. Vendors may apply during defined rounds of funding; currently, Round I closes on May 2, 2025, and Round II on June 27, 2025. Additional rounds may be announced depending on funding availability and program needs. To be eligible, applicants must be self-employed sidewalk vendors who vend food or merchandise and operate no more than one cart. They must operate solely in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, maintain residence within the county, and either already possess or be in the process of acquiring a Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC). Businesses must have started prior to March 2023 and experienced financial losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2019 and March 2023. Income must not exceed $100,000 per household, and vendors must not have received prior ARPA-funded COVID-19 recovery grants from any government source. Additionally, vendors must have a clean record or show clear corrective efforts regarding health and safety violations. Eligible uses of grant funds include costs related to licensing and registration at the County, State, and Federal levels, card processing equipment, permits from the Department of Public Health (e.g., CMFO or MEHKO), training certifications, compliant vending equipment, commissary leases, and business setup expenses like tables and umbrellas. Applicants must adhere to a tiered fund usage structure, completing Tier 1 compliance requirements before advancing to Tier 2. Applicants are evaluated based on eligibility criteria and other considerations, such as engagement with Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) partners and steps taken toward compliance. Required application materials include government-issued ID, a California State Seller’s Permit, SSN or ITIN, proof of business start date, and location validation. Food vendors must also attend a Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) workshop. Support is available through the DEO Office of Small Business, which offers consultations and multilingual assistance. An information session is scheduled for March 27, 2025, at the Quartz Hill Library to help vendors understand program requirements and application procedures. Contact DEO at (844) 432-4900 or email osb@opportunity.lacounty.gov for more information. The Department’s main contact address is 510 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020.