### **Santa Monica Officials Crack Down on Unpermitted Food Vendors Near Pier**
SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica Code Enforcement officers, in coordination with Santa Monica Police officers and firefighters, conducted an enforcement operation on Saturday, December 11, 2021, targeting unpermitted food vendors operating near the Santa Monica Pier. As part of the sweep, officials **confiscated food and issued multiple citations** for violations of city regulations. Santa Monica Fire Chief Wolfgang Knabe was present during the enforcement action.
### **Pier Safety and Enforcement Efforts**
The Santa Monica Pier is a globally recognized landmark, and city officials have implemented strict regulations to preserve its historic wooden structure. Unpermitted food carts using butane and propane pose **significant fire hazards**, prompting periodic enforcement efforts by **Santa Monica Code Enforcement, the Los Angeles County Health Department, and the Santa Monica Police Department.** These operations aim to address **fire risks, improper grease disposal, and unsanitary food service conditions** on and around the pier.
Before ramping up enforcement, city officials **spent months educating and warning unpermitted street vendors** about local vending restrictions and safety requirements. Despite these efforts, unauthorized vending has remained a concern.
### **Street Vending Regulations and Safety Measures**
Under Santa Monica law, street vending is **prohibited on and around the pier,** except for vendors licensed under the city's existing vendor cart program. Vending is also restricted in **other high-traffic areas** such as:
- **Third Street Promenade**
- **Palisades Park**
- **Santa Monica Beach**
To operate legally, all vendors must obtain a **City of Santa Monica business license** and, if selling food, a **Los Angeles County Department of Public Health permit.**
### **Restrictions on Combustible Fuels**
A new **ordinance passed on August 24, 2021,** further tightened regulations on street vending safety. The law prohibits the **use of combustible fuels**, including **propane, butane, kerosene, charcoal, and wood**, within **25 feet of the pier**. Any vendor using these fuels **without a permit from the Fire Marshal** is subject to citations and possible **impoundment of combustible materials**.
Violations of the ordinance may result in **infractions, misdemeanors, or administrative citations.**
### **City’s Continued Efforts to Balance Safety and Entrepreneurship**
Santa Monica continues to balance **public safety with economic opportunities** for vendors. While unauthorized vending remains a challenge, the city encourages vendors to operate legally in designated sidewalk vending areas, such as **Colorado Avenue between the Expo Light Rail Line (4th Street) and Ocean Avenue.**
City officials say enforcement efforts will continue to ensure compliance with **public health, fire safety, and vending laws**, preserving the Santa Monica Pier as a safe and welcoming destination.