The annual neighborhood coordinated light display in the Seaside Ranchos area of Torrance is not a city-sponsored nor a city-sanctioned event. However, the City of Torrance does have an obligation to address public safety concerns due to the high traffic of visitors.
The City will be enforcing the Food Vending Code for sidewalk vendors as well as the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance and violations of the Cottage Food Ordinance for homeowners in the neighborhood.
The City will be enforcing the Food Vending Code for sidewalk vendors as well as the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance and violations of the Cottage Food Ordinance for homeowners in the neighborhood.
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Vending Without a Valid
Sidewalk Vending Permit 
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Vending With a Valid Sidewalk
Vending Permit but Violating the City's Municipal Code 
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Cottage Food Fines
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SEASIDE HOLIDAY LIGHTS
COTTAGE FOOD AND VENDING FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
What are cottage food operations?
California has two classes of Cottage Food Operations (CFOs):
- Class A CFOs
- Class B CFOs
What can I sell from my home?
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is responsible for maintaining the Approved Cottage Foods List and may add or delete food categories. Notice of any change, the reason for the change, and the nature of the change is posted on the CDPH’s Cottage Food Operations webpage. Questions about the Approved Cottage Foods List may be submitted to [email protected].
Does the cottage food ordinance allow sales from my residential driveway?
Direct sales are not allowed from an attached garage, accessory residential structure, or any place outside of the residential home. However, during the period of December 8, 2023 to January 1, 2024, cottage food sales will be allowed within the front yard of the property from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm ONLY. Staff will be monitoring and evaluating activity during the 2023 Holidays in order to determine if modifications need to be made to the City’s Cottage Food Ordinance.
What are the lAbeling requirements for cottage food products?
All Cottage Food products must be labeled per the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The minimum label requirements include:
- The Cottage Food Business Name and phone number
- The common name of the food product or an adequately descriptive nameIngredients listed in descending order of predominance by weight
- Allergen statement if the product contains ANY of the Big 8 Food allergens: Wheat, Milk, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Eggs, Soy, Fish, Shellfish
- The net quantity (count, weight, or volume) of the food product, stated in pounds and grams
- The words “Made in a Home Kitchen” in 12-point font
- The Registration (Class A) or Permit (Class B) number
- The city, state, and zip where the CFO is located
- The words “Issued in Los Angeles County”
DO I NEED TO MAKE A LABEL FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL COTTAGE FOOD PRODUCT?
Yes. Every Cottage Food product must have its own label including all the information specified in the previous FAQ.
WHAT IS A SIDEWALK VENDOR?
“Sidewalk vendor” includes “roaming sidewalk vendor”* and “stationary sidewalk vendor.”** A sidewalk vendor is a person who sells food or merchandise from a:
- Pushcart
- Stand
- Display
- Pedal-driven cart
- Wagon
- Showcase
- Rack or other non-motorized conveyance
- Or upon a public sidewalk or other pedestrian path.
WHAT TYPE OF LICENSES AND PERMITS ARE REQUIRED TO BECOME A SIDEWALK VENDOR?
All sidewalk vendors in the City of Torrance must have a:
- City-issued Sidewalk Vendor Business License,
- County of Los Angeles Public Health Permit (if selling food/drinks), and
- California-issued Seller’s Permit.
WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE I CAN SIDEWALK VEND?
Roaming sidewalk vending is prohibited in areas with no sidewalks or with extremely narrow sidewalks (six (6) feet wide or less). Stationary sidewalk vending is prohibited in areas zoned residential.
WHEN CAN I SIDEWALK VEND?
Hours of Operation:
- Non-Residential Neighborhoods: 8:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.
- Residential Areas: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
SIDEWALK VENDING DON’Ts
- No person may intentionally and deliberately obstruct the free movement of anyone on a public right-of-way or other public place, or any place open to the general public. Any person that obstructs or impedes the free passage of pedestrians or public travel, after being requested to immediately move by a police officer, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor (Torrance Municipal Code Section 45.1.4)
- Sidewalk vendors may not vend within five hundred (500) feet of a permitted event for the duration or within operating hours of such an event. Permitted events include but are not limited to farmer’s markets, swap meets, or any temporary special permits like filming, parades, sporting events, festivals, carnivals, or outdoor concerts.
What is the difference between last year's event and this year's?
The City now has the ability to issue administrative citations to anyone in violation of the City's Municipal Code
When did the City start imposing fines on illegal street vendors and homeowners that do not have the proper permits or food licenses?
The City has had the ability to write Administrative Citations since January 2023.
Did the City educate vendors on the ordinance ahead of this year's event?
The City has provided education of Senate Bill (SB) 946, Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, and AB 1616, the California Homemade Food Act since 2021.
Is this the first year Cottage Food ordinance violators are being fined?
This is the first year that Cottage Food Ordinance violators will be fined during the Sleepy Hollow Lights Display. The City has continued to provide educational outreach of the ordinances to the Sleepy Hollow area since 2021.
Will these fines be imposed Citywide or just for the Sleepy Hollow Lights Display?
The City enforces and issues administrative citations Citywide.
When did the Street Vendor ordinance go into effect?
The ordinance was adopted on October 22, 2019 (Ordinance No. 3851).
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Check out this Safe Sidewalk Vending Guide. Learn all about the process of obtaining a Sidewalk Vending Permit and some of the regulations to help you operate safely and successfully.
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