Sidewalk Vendor Operating Requirements

Operating Requirements

Below is a summary of the sidewalk vendor operating requirements as stated in the Sidewalk Vendor Ordinance that was approved by City Council on July 13, 2021. To view the full requirements, please click the ordinance link above.

A. PERMIT & INSURANCE The sidewalk vending permit is valid for 12 months after being issued unless revoked or suspended, and may be renewed early, before expiration. Sidewalk vending permits are issued to persons, not pushcarts, wagons, or other nonmotorized conveyances. Sidewalk vending permits are nontransferable. Sidewalk vendors shall possess general liability insurance with coverage in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars related to all activities associated with sidewalk vending activities, with the "City of Chino Hills" named as an additional insured, and shall provide proof of current insurance upon request by a City official. All sidewalk vendors shall comply with the terms and conditions of the sidewalk vendor permit and shall not sell any food or merchandise that was not listed in the sidewalk vendor permit application.

B. ADA COMPLIANCE Sidewalk vendors must maintain a clearance of at least 48-inches upon every sidewalk or pedestrian path in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act;

C. PERMIT DECAL Each cart used by a sidewalk vendor must display a valid sidewalk vendor permit decal at all times, which shall be issued by the City, and if a vendor has no cart, then the vendor must display a valid sidewalk vendor permit decal on the person who is vending in plain view at all times;

D. DO NOT LEAVE UNATTENDED No pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack or other nonmotorized conveyance, or ancillary vending items or equipment or umbrellas may be left unattended or chained or fastened to any pole, sign, tree, or other object in the public right-of-way. Any pushcart, stand, display, pedal-driven cart, wagon, showcase, rack, or other nonmotorized conveyance in violation of this subsection will be confiscated in accordance with constitutional and other applicable law;

E. MERCHANDISE PLACEMENT Merchandise may not be placed directly onto the public right-of-way without a permit authorizing such placement;

F. SCHOOL DROP-OFF & PICK-UP AREAS Sidewalk vendors may not operate in School Drop-Off and Pick-Up Areas (CHMC 5.58.020.J), between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on days such schools are in session; Click here for policy and map.

G. 500 FEET RULE Sidewalk vendors may not operate within 500 feet of a certified farmer's market or swap meet, unless specifically permitted by the City;

H. PROIBITED SERVICES & MERCHANDISE Sidewalk vendors may not offer services or any illegal or counterfeit merchandise, animals, items that will exceed the surface area of sidewalk vending equipment, alcohol, drugs, medicine, chemicals, lottery tickets, weapons, alcohol, fireworks, cannabis or cannabis products, industrial hemp products, adult-oriented material, tobacco, tobacco-related products, or any product used to smoke/vape, or any other items that are deemed unsafe;

I. RESIDENTIAL ZONES Stationary sidewalk vendors may not operate in any of the City's residential zones;

J. CITY-OWNED PARKS WITH CONCESSIONS Stationary sidewalk vendors may not operate within any City-owned park when there is an operative agreement between the City and a concessionaire for the exclusive sale of food or merchandise by the concessionaire, except for pre-approved vendors at City-sponsored events; mobile sidewalk vendors may not operate within one hundred feet of such a concessionaire, except for pre-approved vendors at City-sponsored events.

K. FOOD VENDING Any stationary sidewalk vendor that stores, prepares, packages, serves, vends, or otherwise provides food must follow all applicable ordinances and regulations and obtain all permits required by the Division of Environmental Health Services (of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

L. HEIGHT & SAFETY RESTRICTIONS No sidewalk vendor shall erect any equipment or object that exceeds nine feet in height, and all temporary structures or objects that are erected must be firmly affixed to a cart or objects with sufficient weight so that they are structurally sound and not subject to toppling over or falling due to weather conditions or not being structurally sound are prohibited in order to avoid injury to pedestrians or vehicles due to falling objects from wind or other causes.

M. PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY RESTRICTIONS Sidewalk vendors may not operate on public rights-of-way:

1.    Within fifty (50) feet of the curb returns at the intersections listed below:

a.    Butterfield Ranch Road and Shady View/SR71 off ramp

b.    Chino Hills Parkway and Carbon Canyon Road/Rustic Drive

c.    Chino Hills Parkway and Chino Hills Marketplace

d.    Chino Hills Parkway and Peyton Drive

e.    Chino Hills Parkway and Pipeline Avenue

f.    Chino Hills Parkway and Ramona Avenue

g.    Grand Avenue and Peyton Drive

h.    Peyton Drive and Eucalyptus Avenue

i.    Soquel Canyon Parkway and Pomona Rincon Road

j.    Soquel Canyon Parkway and Los Serranos Country Club Drive/ Butterfield Ranch Road;

2.    Within one hundred (100) feet of the curb returns at the intersections listed below:

a.    Grand Avenue and Boys Republic Drive

b.    Chino Hills Parkway and Eucalyptus Avenue

c.    Chino Hills Parkway and Grand Avenue

d.    Carbon Canyon Road and Canyon Hills Road

e.    Chino Avenue and Peyton Drive;

3.    Within 5 feet of the outer edge of a driveway or driveway apron;

4.    Within 5 feet of the outer edge of any alleyway;

5.    Within 5 feet of any fire hydrant, fire call box or other emergency facility;

6.    Adjacent to any marked loading zone or bus zone;

7.    Within a bus shelter in a marked bus zone;

8.    Within 18 inches from the edge of the curb;

9.    Within 15 feet of a curb return;

10.     Where placement impedes the flow of pedestrian traffic by reducing the clear space to less than 4 feet, or impedes egress from, access to, or the use of abutting property;

11.    Within 25 feet of the entrance or exit to any building;

12.     Within 50 feet of a freeway or highway exit or entrance;

13.    Within streets, except to cross legally at intersections or cross-walks without stopping;

14.     Within center medians or other areas between lanes of traffic; or

15.    Within areas of the parkway where vegetation and irrigation systems may be damaged.

N. CITY-OWNED PROPERTY Sidewalk vendors shall not operate on City-owned property, including, without limitation, publicly owned parking lots, except for sidewalks in public right-of-way, pedestrian paths in City parks and open space (only to the extent permitted and regulated by this chapter).

O. OTHER CITY PARK RESTRICTIONS Sidewalk vendors shall not operate within a City Park:

1.    Within 25 feet of an entrance or exit of a building; or

2.    Within 5 feet of any fire hydrant, fire call box, or other emergency facility.

P. VEGETATED AREAS Sidewalk vendors shall not place their carts on vegetated areas of parks or public right-of-way (parkways).

Q. CITY PROGRAMS Sidewalk vendors shall not operate within 50 feet of City programs, games, and City recreational programs operated outside in the City's parks including any activities permitted pursuant to Athletic Field Use License Agreements, provided that this prohibition shall only be effective for the duration of the event.