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.
|
Vending Without a Valid
Sidewalk Vending Permit 
|
Vending With a Valid Sidewalk
Vending Permit but Violating the City's Municipal Code 
|
Cottage Food Fines
|
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.
Watch the September 24, 2024 City Council Meeting - Item 9H
Watch the September 24, 2024 City Council Meeting - Item 9H
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 will continue to issue administrative citations to anyone in violation of the City's Municipal Code. Direct sales are not allowed from an attached garage, accessory residential structure, or any place outside of the residential home. Direct sales are only allowed from the home between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily.
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?
The City have been issuing citations since December 2023.
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).
CAN I DISTRIBUTE FREE FOOD FROM MY RESIDENCE?
No, you cannot distribute free food from your residence without a Cottage Food Permit from the County of Los Angeles. The City’s Cottage Food Ordinance prohibits the direct sales, exchange of goods for money, during the specified hours of 5:01 p.m. – 8 :59 a.m. and from an attached garage, ADU, or place outside of the residential dwelling unit.
Can I sell food items from my home during the Holiday Lights Display?
Residents may sell food from their home between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. provided they comply with all requirements of the City of Torrance's Cottage Food Home Operations and/or Sidewalk Vending Ordinances.
Fines for Cottage Food Ordinance non-compliance
According to the Cottage Food Ordinance, the fines for non-compliance are:
• $100 - 1st Violation
• $200 - 2nd Violation
• $500 - 3rd and each Subsequent Violation
• $100 - 1st Violation
• $200 - 2nd Violation
• $500 - 3rd and each Subsequent Violation
May a Cottage Food Operator sell cottage foods that were produced in another home kitchen or establishment?
Homeowners and all participants need a Cottage Food Permit. Per the County, if a resident is selling foods that originated from another kitchen, then each of those homes would need their own, respective Cottage Food Permit.
Fines for vending without a valid sidewalk vending permit?
- $250 - 1st Violation
- $500 - 2nd Violation
- $500 - 3rd and each Subsequent Violation
Fines for vending with a valid sidewalk vending permit but violating the City's vending ordinance?
- $100 - 1st Violation
- $200 - 2nd Violation$500
- 3rd and each Subsequent Violation
How do I report a vendor violation?
To report violations of vendors not following the requirements of the City Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, please contact Code Enforcement at (310) 618-5990 or via email at [email protected]. Additionally, to report complaints regarding unpermitted street food, please also contact the County’s Public Health Mobile Food Program at (626) 430-5500 or file a complaint online at https://ehservices.publichealth.lacounty.gov/servlet/guest?service=0&formId=4&saveAction=5. It is helpful to report details about the problem, such as:
- Exact location of the food sales
- Day and times of operation and
- Description of what the vendor is doing
Is the holiday light display a City event?
No. The annual neighborhood coordinated light display in the Seaside Ranchos area of Torrance is not a city-sponsored nor a city-sanctioned event. The City has no role in coordinating or planning this resident-led event. The decision to do, or not to do, these displays is entirely upon each of the homeowners and the City is not in any way involved in that decision-making process. The City has no role in coordinating or planning the displays, including when the dates and times that the lights are turned on/off. Also, the City cannot shut down or prevent the light display from occurring.
What has the City done to reduce traffic congestion and improve public safety?
- Temporary “No Stopping” signs are placed on one side of the street in the Seaside Ranchos neighborhood during the holiday lights display from 5:00pm-10:00pm to allow for emergency vehicle access.
- Provide twenty (20) additional trash bins and coordinate additional sanitation pick-ups as needed.
- Provide two (2) illuminated light boards to assist with traffic control and inform visitors of parking restrictions.
- Placed permanent Stop Signs at busy intersection(s) to help appease traffic congestion.
- Create informative webpage to be added to the City of Torrance website.
Are there restroom facilities available during the holiday lights display?
No. The holiday light display is not a city-sponsored nor city-sanctioned event. The City has no authority to regulate whether the event occurs or not. The City does not pay for or provide this type of amenity for a non-city sponsored/sanctioned event.
Where can I park my car?
You may park your vehicle and walk through the Holiday Lights Display rather than driving through the neighborhood, should you choose to.
There are temporary NO STOPPING signs placed on some residential streets from 5:00-10:00pm for the duration of the Holiday Lights Display. No stopping or parking will be allowed where these signs are posted. This is for safety reasons, to ensure that emergency vehicles may access the neighborhood, if needed.
If there is availability, you may choose to park your vehicle within the neighborhood where NO STOPPING signs are not posted. There is no designated parking lot for this event and there are no designated drop-off/pick-up locations.
Visitors’ cooperation in complying with all posted traffic signs and traffic laws is greatly appreciated.
There are temporary NO STOPPING signs placed on some residential streets from 5:00-10:00pm for the duration of the Holiday Lights Display. No stopping or parking will be allowed where these signs are posted. This is for safety reasons, to ensure that emergency vehicles may access the neighborhood, if needed.
If there is availability, you may choose to park your vehicle within the neighborhood where NO STOPPING signs are not posted. There is no designated parking lot for this event and there are no designated drop-off/pick-up locations.
Visitors’ cooperation in complying with all posted traffic signs and traffic laws is greatly appreciated.
Can I drive through the neighborhood?
You may drive your street legal vehicle through the Seaside Ranchos neighborhood to view the lights, should you choose to. Non-street legal vehicles, including golf carts, are not allowed to be driven.
Please do note that all traffic laws must be followed and will be enforced, including having children in car seats and ensuring that all passengers in your vehicle are wearing proper seatbelts.
Please do note that all traffic laws must be followed and will be enforced, including having children in car seats and ensuring that all passengers in your vehicle are wearing proper seatbelts.
Can residents place traffic cones or other traffic control devices in front of their residences to “reserve” parking?
Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) Section 61.2.3 contains language about authority to place (or cause to be placed) traffic control devices. Traffic cones are considered a traffic control device falling under the City’s authority. A resident or individual placing cones in the public right of way to prohibit parking is not allowed, unless authorized by a permit via Public Works or Community Development.
Please be aware that if traffic cones are in the public right of way, City staff may confiscate the traffic cones.
Please be aware that if traffic cones are in the public right of way, City staff may confiscate the traffic cones.
|
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.
|
