Increasing Equity in LA’s New Street Vending Permit Program to Increase Quality of Life for Vendors
Street vending has been a part of the economic and social fabric of Los Angeles since the 19th century. However, it remained in the shadows until the City Council decriminalized it in 2017, reducing the penalty for street vending from a misdemeanor criminal offense to an administrative fine. This was the culmination of a street vendor organizing effort which started due to the burden of fines on vendors and the heightened risk of deportation faced by vendors with criminal records. Since then, groups continued organizing to push for a fully legalized vending permit system which would allow vendors to operate “above ground.” In order to understand how the rules and regulations of the Los Angeles ordinance affect current street vendors, this research employs three methods: participant observation, mapping, and comparative study.
