Sidewalk Vending Lottery

On September 12, 2022, the Santa Monica City Council adopted an amendment to Chapter 6.36 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code, creating a "buffer zone" in Palisades Park that would allow for stationary sidewalk vending in the area located between 100 and 500 feet of the Pier. This area is a desirable area as there is significant pedestrian traffic, creating ideal economic opportunities for vendors. To foster economic opportunity for all sidewalk vendors, the City is implementing a Palisades Park Stationary Sidewalk Vending Lottery Pilot Program, allowing vendors the opportunity to have exclusive use of one of the 13 vending spaces for the duration of each of the sidewalk vending lottery drawing periods.

Santa Monica’s Sidewalk Vending Program supports a vibrant, inclusive, and well-regulated vending environment that enhances the public experience while ensuring access, safety, and fairness in the use of public space. The program includes a weekly lottery for stationary vending locations, allowing permitted vendors a chance to operate in some of the most iconic areas of the city.

The most current Palisades Park Stationary Sidewalk Vending Lottery Administrative Rules and Regulations can be found here:

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FAQ

How does the lottery work?

All vendors interested in participating in the lottery must submit a sidewalk vending lottery application. This application is valid for the entire licensing year.

Each Wednesday afternoon, 13 vendors will be selected randomly and assigned to one of sidewalk vending spaces. The selected vendors will have exclusive use of that space from Sunday morning through the following Saturday evening.

If a selected vendor holds multiple licenses, they may choose to have any of their employees use that space as long as that person can show that they are working for the selected vendor.

Who is eligible to enter the lottery?

Any sidewalk vendor that has a valid Business License may enter the lottery. License holders may only enter once, regardless of how many licenses they hold.

Where are the designated sidewalk vending spaces?

There are 13 designated stationary sidewalk vending lotter spaces that are marked beginning just north of the canon in Palisades Park. The Sidewalk Vending Lottery Rules and Regulations contains a map showing the locations of the spaces.

What if I am chosen and cannot use the space during one or more days of the peiord?

If you are unable to use the space during one or more of the selected days, then your designated space must remain unoccupied. No other vendor that was not selected for that space may use it.

I was not chosen for the lottery but a space is not being used. Can I use it?

No vendor may use or occupy any designated sidewalk vending lottery space that they were not selected for.

I no longer want to participate in the lottery. How can I remove my name?

If you wish to withdraw from the lottery, please use the link to the Palisades Park Stationary Sidewalk Vending Lottery Withdrawal form above.

Is there a cost to enter the lottery?

There is no cost associated with entering the lottery.

Someone else is using the space that I was selected for. How do I report this?

If a vendor is occupying a Stationary Sidewalk Vending space that they were not selected for, please contact Code Enforcement at 310-458-4984 or send an email to code.enforcement@santamonica.gov.

On weekends, please contact the DART Team at 310-487-8908.

I have questions that aren't answered here. Who can I talk to?

If you have questions, feel free to contact the Santa Monica Code Enforcement Division at 310-458-4984 or send us an email at code.enforcement@santamonica.gov.