Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grants Program (United States)

Deadline: 2 May 2025

Are you a sidewalk vendor operating in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County? Were you impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Did you start your business prior to March 2023? If so, you may qualify for a Formalization Grant from the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to help your business get permitted and compliant with the County’s Sidewalk Vending Ordinance.

The County of Los Angeles Sidewalk Vending Ordinance became effective in August 2024. As such, sidewalk vendors must acquire a Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate to vend in the unincorporated areas of the County. In recognition of the financial barriers that exist for sidewalk vendors looking to participate in the formal economy, DEO launched the Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant Program.

Funding Information

This Grant Program is distributing over $1M to sidewalk vendors that operate within the Unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County through payments of $500 to $5,000 towards eligible permitting expenses, compliance-related costs, and specific business needs.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all grant program requirements in order to qualify. Please note that funding is limited, and meeting eligibility requirements does NOT guarantee a grant award. Requirements include:
- Self-Employed Sidewalk Vendor
  - Must be a Sidewalk Vendor that vends food or merchandize. Must also be self-employed and not operate more than one cart. Applicants that apply on behalf of an employer shall be disqualified.
- Geographic Boundaries
  - Must vend and operate a vending business on sidewalks in the unincorporated areas of the County and in accordance with the LA County Sidewalk Vending Ordinance. Applicant must live within LA County.
  - When using the district locator tool 1) write your address and 2) if results include the word “Unincorporated” it means the address provided is within the unincorporated area of LA County.
- Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC)
  - Must either have an existing Los Angeles County Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC) or seek to become permitted through the grant for a SVRC and any related requirements.
- Business Start Date
  - Must have started sidewalk vending business anytime prior to March 2023.
- Revenue Thresholds
  - Households with income above $100,000 are not eligible, regardless of the number of members in the household.
- COVID-19 Impact
  - Must have experienced financial loss and impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including loss of revenue during March 2019 to March 2023.
- Previous Awards
  - The grantee MUST NOT have received a COVID-19 recovery grant funded through ARPA from a local government agency, including the City of Los Angeles, the County of Los Angeles, or under the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.
- In Good Standing
  - Cannot have a record of repeatedly violating Health and Safety regulations. Business with a record may be reconsidered if able to prove significant effort towards addressing violations and meeting the requirements set forth by the SVRC and CA Health Code.