Getting permitted for street vending in Sonoma County

In 2018, former governor Jerry Brown signed the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, decriminalizing street vending. In Sonoma County, 219 vendors hold a county permit.
photo credit: Amaray Alvarez/KRCB
A street vendor selling fruit and other products in
Rohnert Park in July 2024.

Sidewalk vending isn't as common in Sonoma County as it is in other parts of the Bay Area, but it's growing. Finding a new stand that sells your favorite treats or trying new foods can be fun. But who is able to operate a food stand? And what rules do they have to follow?

KRCB’s Amaray Alvarez speaks to sidewalk vendors about their day-to-day operations, and the Sonoma County Environmental Health department about the permitting process.

“Frutas El Pariente, muchísimas gracias. Te lo agradezco…”

That's the husband behind Fruitas El Pariente,a fruit cart in Rohnert Park. The name translates to “Fruit from Family.”

The husband-and-wife team sell fruit cups, raspados, flavored aguas and more. Their inventory changes depending on what they have available. They asked us not to identify them by name because they are currently unpermitted.

The couple say they take turns running the cart---out selling all week, taking one day off to rest.

The vendor told us his wife starts her day early to prepare everything:

“Tenemos los deliciosos raspados de fruta, de miles naturales, de vainilla, coco, taminido, fresa, nanche, lemon, mango, piña y chicle..."

He's listing their homemade syrup flavors… They currently have over 10. The pair even make their own chamoy---fruit sauce---it's a family recipe. He tells us the nanche flavor is one of his favorites. It’s a cherry-like fruit from his home state of Michoacán in Mexico.

Street vending is common in California, especially in and around large cities. Sometimes vendors choose to have a stand or food truck because it’s less expensive than running a restaurant. Sometimes it's the only way to make money for those who are undocumented.

State laws now support street vending.

In 2018, former governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 946 , also known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act. The bill decriminalizes street vending. This means people cannot be arrested for operating a food stand or truck.

It also requires local authorities to adopt sidewalk vending programs.

“This is a growing need in our community and we see it as an opportunity for people to enter into the food business, but we want to make sure it's done in a healthy and safe manner,” said Christine Soko, the director of Sonoma County Environmental Health.

In Sonoma County, those who have stands and food trucks must have a health permit, issued by environmental health services. Soko said there are currently 219 permits issued for this type of vending in Sonoma County.

Permits vary depending on if you have a stand, cart or food truck. And what type of food you are preparing to sell. The permitting process can be costly, ranging from $500 to $1,000 dollars. And permits need to be renewed every year.

But in Sonoma County, some permits come with a fee waiver or subsidy to help with the cost. Like the fruit stand mentioned earlier.

When asked about what happens to those who aren't permitted, Soko said department staff start by educating vendors.

“If it's just a small amount, we would allow them to go ahead and take it home and consume it themselves,” Soko said. “If we come back and we see them operating again, we generally would do a stronger outreach message. Enforcement can go all the way to confiscating the food, confiscating the cart and the materials that go with it.”

Soko said when the food is confiscated, multiple agencies then get involved, including the fire department, code enforcement and police officers.

Sonoma County Environmental Health has hosted two workshops to teach vendors about the permitting process, and Soko said the department is planning to schedule more.

“We've noticed this need,” Soko said. “We've noticed there's a lot of people that know how to make some type of food and they want to share it and they want to figure out how to and the best way through that process.”

Soko encourages those who are interested in getting a food vending health permit to visit the county’s website; you can find that by searching Sonoma County Food Safety Program. Or come into the office for assistance, located on 5th Street in Santa Rosa.

As for Frutas El Pariente, the vendors told KRCB News they are working to apply for their health permit. They also said they are grateful for support from their community….and that business is good.

Reporting in Rohnert Park, I’m Amaray Alvarez, KRCB Sonoma County News