Public Right-of-Way
The “public right-of-way” generally refers to the street, sidewalk and parkway areas that are used by the public as a means of travel. This includes public streets in both residential and commercial areas. StreetsLA is responsible for strategically managing and maintaining much of the infrastructure in the City's public rights-of-way, and it’s our job to ensure they are safe and accessible for all users.
Mobility
California Streets and Highway Code Section 5610 requires private property owners to maintain sidewalks in front of their property, even though sidewalks are considered part of the “public right-of-way.” The City of Los Angeles does have a Sidewalk Repair Program managed by the Bureau of Engineering, meaning BOE identifies and designs locations for sidewalk repairs. Once a repair is designed, StreetsLA is contracted to construct the repair. StreetsLA is not funded to make on-demand concrete sidewalk repairs. Angelenos can use MyLA311 to report a sidewalk problem. The City may be able to fund and construct a sidewalk repair if the requester is disabled and the damaged sidewalk is affecting their mobility. For more information on sidewalks, or to connect with the Bureau of Engineering, please visit http://sidewalks.lacity.org or contact sidewalks@lacity.org.
Sidewalk Vending
Anyone who sells food or merchandise on City of Los Angeles sidewalks and City parks must obtain a Sidewalk & Park Vending Permit, which protects you as a vendor and ensures the health, safety and welfare of residents and visitors. Permits must be renewed every 12 months. In order to obtain a Sidewalk & Park Vending Permit, vendors must also obtain the following:
1. City of Los Angeles Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC)
2. State of California Sellers Permit
3. County of Los Angeles Public Health Permit (food vendors only)
Permit applications can be submitted in-person at these locations:
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES:
Public Works Building
1149 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90015
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
OPEN: Mon (7 AM–3 PM), Tues (7 AM–3PM),
Thurs (7 AM– 3 PM), Fri (7 AM – 3 PM)
VAN NUYS, SAN FERNANDO VALLEY:
Marvin Braude Building
6262 Van Nuys Boulevard
Van Nuys, CA 91401
AVAILABLE FOR WALK-INS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
OPEN: Tues (7 AM – 3 PM), Wed (7 AM – 3 PM)
Obstructions
Los Angeles Municipal Code 56.08 states that public access to streets and sidewalks in the City cannot be blocked by obstructions, which include overgrown vegetation, building materials, and other objects. Violators are subject to administrative fines beginning at $50 and escalating further if the violation is repeated.
StreetsLA does permit the placement of building materials in the public right-of-way, in relation to an active construction project. The application for a building materials permit can be found here.
Please use MyLA311 to report an obstruction in the public right-of-way.