# Los Angeles street vendor policy and regulation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/los-angeles-street-vendor-policy-and-regulation > Updated: 2026-08-30T02:13:15.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has directed the Los Angeles Police Department to cease issuing criminal citations to unpermitted street vendors. The administration cited a priority to support vendors, particularly amid enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). To facilitate legal operations, the city has invested nearly $500,000 into the Sidewalk Vending Cart program, and the LAPD is reportedly working to dismiss citations issued in error. The policy shift has faced criticism from brick-and-mortar restaurant owners regarding unfair competition. Following the directive, public records revealed a dossier containing 9,746 public health complaints filed against street food vendors in Los Angeles County between 2023 and early 2026. These complaints include allegations of severe sanitary violations, such as pest infestations and improper food storage. Critics suggest the new policy may lead to unregulated food conditions, noting that many previous complaints were marked as “closed” or “canceled” without evidence of significant corrective action. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-30: Los Angeles street food vendors face 9,746 health complaints Nearly 10,000 health complaints in Los Angeles County reveal severe sanitary issues among street food vendors, amid a mayoral directive to stop issuing criminal citations to unpermitted sellers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-street-food-vendors-face-9746-health-complaints ### 2026-08-27: Los Angeles Mayor directs LAPD to stop citing unpermitted street vendors Mayor Karen Bass has ordered the LAPD to stop issuing criminal citations to unpermitted street vendors in Los Angeles, citing the importance of supporting local livelihoods. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/los-angeles-mayor-directs-lapd-to-stop-citing-unpermitted-street-vendors --- Cite as: Los Angeles street vendor policy and regulation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/los-angeles-street-vendor-policy-and-regulation