The Council does hereby find and determine as follows: (1) the City is confronted with serious and unique traffic and parking problems; (2) the City is primarily a residential community, surrounded by other residential, business, and manufacturing centers; (3) any hindrance of the flow of such vehicular traffic causes delay, traffic congestion, accidents, and imminent peril to both life and property within the City; (4) the sale of any commodity from a vehicle or to a person in a vehicle on any major traffic arterial in said City peculiarly adds to the local traffic congestion, delay and hazard to life and property; (5) strict enforcement of traffic laws alone is insufficient to cope with the situation; it is not possible to employ sufficient police officers adequately to control such unique traffic problems, not only because of the present personnel shortage, but particularly because of the fluctuating volume of such vehicular traffic; it is therefore necessary to remove and prevent, so far as is possible, all factors which contribute to or cause any interference with or hindrance of the movement of vast numbers of motor vehicles in the City.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020)
The ordinance codified in this chapter is adopted pursuant to the authority granted to the City of Paramount by Section 22455 of the California Vehicle Code, which permits local authorities to regulate the type of vending and the time, place, and manner of vending from vehicles upon the street in order to promote public safety.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020)
For the purpose of this chapter, the words, terms, and phrases shall be defined as set forth herein, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning is intended. Words, terms, and phrases used in this chapter that are not specifically defined shall be construed according to their context and the customary usage of the language.
City.
The City of Paramount.
Food or food products.
Any type of edible substance or beverage.
Ice cream truck.
That vending vehicle more particularly described under Section 12.42.110.
Mobile food vendor.
Person who operates or assists in the operation of a vending vehicle.
Planning Department.
The City of Paramount Planning Department.
Planning Director.
The City of Paramount Planning Director.
Public property.
All property owned, leased, or controlled by the City, including, but not limited to, buildings, parks, pathways, parkways, sidewalks, roadways, streets, public alleys, and parking lots.
Public roadway.
That portion of the street, which is improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel.
Street block.
All property abutting upon one side of a street between intersecting and intercepting streets, or between a street and a railroad right-of-way, waterway, terminus or dead end street, or City boundary. An intercepting street shall determine only the boundary of the block on the side of the street which it intercepts.
Vending vehicle.
Any self-propelled, motorized device or vehicle by which any person or property may be propelled or moved upon a highway, excepting a device moved exclusively by human power, such as a vending cart operated by a sidewalk vendor pursuant to Chapter 12.40 (Sidewalk and Park Vending Program)of the Paramount Municipal Code, or which may be drawn or towed by a self-propelled, motorized vehicle, from which food or food products are sold, offered for sale, displayed, bartered, exchanged, or otherwise given.
Vend or vending.
To sell, offer for sale, display, barter, exchange, or otherwise give food or food products from a vending vehicle.
Vendor.
A person who vends, including an employee or agent of a vendor.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1196, 2/25/2025)
A mobile food vendor, vending vehicle, or ice cream truck is prohibited to remain or park on public property, or on a public roadway unless specifically permitted under the express provisions of this chapter.
Exceptions. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the use of mobile food vendors or ice cream trucks by the City in any City-sponsored special event.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020)
A. 
Vending shall be permitted by a mobile food vendor only within the commercial and industrial zones in the City and only at the location authorized in an approved mobile food vendor permit.
B. 
No mobile food vendor or vending vehicle shall remain on a public roadway during non- operating hours as set out in subsection C of this section. Overnight parking of a mobile vendor vehicle on a public roadway is prohibited.
C. 
No vending shall be permitted by a mobile food vendor except between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday, and only at the location authorized in an approved mobile food vendor permit.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1196, 2/25/2025)
No person shall stop or park a vending vehicle on a public roadway within 500 feet of any school property boundary in the City between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on regular school days. This prohibition will not apply if the Superintendent of the School District or authorized designee gives the mobile food vendor written permission to park on school property. The mobile food vendor shall provide a copy of that authorization to the City within five days of its receipt.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020)
Any mobile food vendor must have, at all times, the following licensing and insurance requirements:
A. 
A valid business license issued by the City for the specific operating location in the City. The mobile food vendor shall submit all necessary documentation for business license application review.
B. 
As part of its application for a business license, the mobile food vendor shall submit and maintain the following insurance and licensing documentation:
1. 
A certificate of commercial general liability insurance in an amount not less than $1,000,000 with a signed endorsement to the policy satisfactory to the City. The certificate of insurance shall name the City, City Council, Commissions, officers, employees, and agents as additional insured.
2. 
A valid California driver's license or California commercial driver's license, whichever is required under State law.
3. 
A valid vehicle registration for the vending vehicle used for mobile food vending.
4. 
A food handling permit or satisfactory certificate of completion of a food safety course. An individual who has a food handling permit or certificate of completion of a food safety course must be present at all times when the vending vehicle is open.
5. 
A valid California reseller's permit.
6. 
A valid permit issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
C. 
Mobile Food Vendor Permit. A mobile food vendor wishing to locate a vending vehicle within the public roadway or private property shall also obtain an approved mobile food vendor permit from the Planning Department prior to operating in the City.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1196, 2/25/2025)
Subject to the requirements set forth in Section 12.42.070 above, a mobile food vendor may locate its vehicle in the public roadway so long as the mobile food vendor adheres to the following standards and conditions:
A. 
No mobile food vendor shall stop or park a vending vehicle on a public roadway for the purpose of selling, giving away, displaying, or offering for sale any food or beverage product except for a period of time not to exceed five hours on any one street block provided the vending vehicle is not stopped or parked within 500 feet of licensed restaurant establishments, including cafes and tea shops; schools; public park concession stands; or approved City-sponsored special events.
B. 
No tables, chairs, or other food preparation equipment may be used outside of a vending vehicle stopped or parked on a public roadway.
C. 
All signs shall be attached to or a part of the vending vehicle. Signs with digital displays can change messages no more frequently than every 10 seconds. Scrolling, flashing, rotating, pulsating, moving, or blinking digital displays are prohibited. The intensity of digital illumination shall be static between messages. One digital sign is permitted per vending vehicle.
D. 
The vending vehicle is in full compliance with all parking and California Vehicle Code provisions which apply to the location at which it is parked.
E. 
The vending vehicle shall not be parked or stopped during a time on a public roadway subject to restrictions, including, but not limited to, street sweeping hours and residential permit parking districts, established under the Paramount Municipal Code.
F. 
The vending vehicle does not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
G. 
Vending is prohibited on the exposed street and/or traffic side of the vending vehicle.
H. 
The mobile food vendor shall not distribute any item from the vending vehicle in a manner that causes any person to stand in that portion of the public roadway that is between the vehicle and the center of the public roadway.
I. 
The mobile food vendor shall not encroach onto a public sidewalk with any part of its vending vehicle or any other equipment related to the operation of its business.
J. 
All licensing requirements under Section 12.42.070 must be in the possession of the mobile food vendor and in a visible and conspicuous location always during the operation of the vending business during which it operates within the City.
K. 
All food products sold or provided from the vending vehicle shall comply with all applicable food labeling requirements established by the State of California, and the mobile food vendor must obtain all required permits, including without limitation, health permits, to sell or provide such items.
L. 
No mobile food vendor shall engage in vending unless the mobile food vendor maintains a clearly designated litter receptacle in the immediate vicinity of the vending vehicle, marked with a sign requesting use by patrons. Prior to leaving the location, the mobile food vendor shall pick up, remove, and dispose of all trash generated by the mobile food vendor's operation located within a 100-foot radius of the mobile food vendor's location.
M. 
The vending vehicle shall not operate within 100 feet of any street intersection controlled by a crosswalk, traffic light, or stop sign.
N. 
The vending vehicle shall not operate within 100 feet of a bus stop.
O. 
No mobile food vendor shall stop, park, or cause any food vehicle to remain on a public roadway, except pursuant to the order of a lawful authority or for making emergency repairs to the vehicle; in no event shall any person sell or give away any food or beverage project from a vending vehicle while such repairs are being made.
P. 
Restocking of a mobile vendor's vehicle is prohibited on a public roadway or alley.
Q. 
No mobile vendor's vehicle shall attach to or receive any utilities from private or public property.
R. 
No additional exterior lighting other than that required by the California Vehicle Code may be installed or operated on a mobile vendor's vehicle.
S. 
The mobile food vendor shall not discharge any liquid (e.g., water, grease, oil, etc.) onto or into public roadways, storm drains, catch basins, or sewer facilities. All discharges shall be contained and properly disposed of by the mobile food vendor.
T. 
All mobile food vendors' vending vehicles shall be inspected and approved by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department Vehicle Inspection Program prior to the City's issuance of the business license and from time to time thereafter in the discretion of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department. At a minimum, all cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors shall be protected by a UL 300-listed automatic fire extinguishing system. A Class K fire extinguisher shall be provided within each vending vehicle at an accessible location. All fire protection equipment shall be properly maintained and serviced at intervals required by the California Fire Code.
U. 
A minimum distance of 100 feet shall be maintained between: (1) a mobile food vendor and another licensed mobile food vendor; and (2) a mobile food vendor and a licensed sidewalk vendor to promote unhindered pedestrian access, minimize congestion, and adhere to safety regulations.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1196, 2/25/2025)
A mobile food vendor may locate its vehicle within private property as long as the mobile food vendor adheres to the following standards and conditions:
A. 
Property Owner Authorization. A property owner or legally authorized representative authorizes the mobile food vendor in writing and provides the Planning Department a copy of the written authorization prior to the mobile food vendor obtaining a business license and mobile food vendor permit at the proposed location. Unless a business owner is a legally authorized representative of a property owner, business owner authorization is insufficient for property owner authorization.
B. 
An approved mobile food vendor permit issued by the Planning Director or designee who shall determine whether a permit shall be issued based upon the following objective criteria:
1. 
The number and precise locations of food vendor vehicles that have been previously permitted for a single property or parcel;
2. 
The number and precise locations of food vendor vehicles that have been previously permitted at surrounding properties;
3. 
An assessment of uses surrounding the proposed location of a food vendor vehicle; and
4. 
Any previous violations by a mobile food vendor of the provisions of this chapter and/or other chapters of the Paramount Municipal Code.
The decision of the Planning Director or designee to issue or deny a permit shall be final.
C. 
No mobile food vendor shall stop or park a vending vehicle on private property for the purpose of selling, giving away, displaying, or offering for sale any food or beverage product except for a period of time not to exceed six hours on any location within a single private property provided the vending vehicle is not stopped or parked within 100 feet of schools, public park concession stands, or approved City-sponsored special events.
D. 
Only one table and one chair designated for individuals with disabilities may be used outside of a vending vehicle stopped or parked on private property. No other food preparation equipment may be used.
E. 
Signs shall remain entirely on private property. Signs with digital displays can change messages no more frequently than every 10 seconds. Scrolling, flashing, rotating, pulsating, moving, or blinking digital displays are prohibited. The intensity of digital illumination shall be static between messages. One digital sign is permitted per vending vehicle.
F. 
Days and Hours of Operation. No mobile food vendor or vending vehicle shall remain on private property during non-operating hours. Overnight parking of a mobile vendor vehicle private property with the sole exception of a licensed and authorized vending vehicle storage facility. No vending shall be permitted by a mobile food vendor except between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday; provided, however, the Planning Director or designee shall retain the authority to further restrict or modify the hours of operation of a mobile food vendor at a location on private property with written findings to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
G. 
No mobile food vendor shall stop or park a vending vehicle within the required property setbacks or driveway areas of properties on which they are temporarily located.
H. 
No mobile food vendor shall stop or park a vending vehicle in required off-street parking areas in a manner so as to impede ingress, egress, and parking on private property as determined following review of the precise parking location by the Planning Director or designee.
I. 
The vending vehicle is in full compliance with all parking and California Vehicle Code provisions which apply to the location at which it is parked.
J. 
The vending vehicle does not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
K. 
The mobile food vendor shall not encroach onto a public sidewalk or public roadway with any part of its vending vehicle or any other equipment related to the operation of its business.
L. 
All licensing requirements under Section 12.42.070 must be in the possession of the mobile food vendor and in a visible and conspicuous location always during the operation of the vending business during which it operates on private property.
M. 
All food products sold or provided from the vending vehicle shall comply with all applicable food labeling requirements established by the State of California and the mobile food vendor must obtain all required permits, including, without limitation, health permits, to sell or provide such items.
N. 
No mobile food vendor shall engage in vending unless the mobile food vendor maintains a clearly designated litter receptacle in the immediate vicinity of the vending vehicle, marked with a sign requesting use by patrons. Prior to leaving the location, the mobile food vendor shall pick up, remove, and dispose of all trash generated by the mobile food vendor's operation located within a 100-foot radius of the mobile food vendor's location.
O. 
No mobile food vendor shall stop, park or cause any food vehicle to remain on any private property, except pursuant to the order of a lawful authority or for making emergency repairs to the vehicle; in no event shall any person sell or give away any food or beverage project from a vending vehicle while such repairs are being made.
P. 
No person shall stop, park, or cause a vending vehicle to remain on any private property for the purpose of selling, giving away, displaying, or offering for sale any food or beverage product to any person other than the owner of such property or his, her, or their agents, customers, or employees; in no event shall any person stop, park, or cause a vending vehicle to remain on any vacant lot or undeveloped parcel of land for the purpose of selling, giving away, displaying or offering for sale any food or beverage product, other than allowed by a special event permit issued by the City.
Q. 
Restocking of a mobile vendor's vehicle is prohibited on private property.
R. 
No mobile vendor's vehicle shall attach to or receive any utilities from private property.
S. 
Additional exterior lighting other than that required by the California Vehicle Code may be installed or operated on a mobile vendor's vehicle only with first obtaining Planning Director written authorization provided the lighting increases safety without subjecting neighboring occupants to direct lighting.
T. 
The mobile food vendor shall not discharge any liquid (e.g., water, grease, oil, etc.) onto the private property or into public roadways, storm drains, catch basins, or sewer facilities. All discharges shall be contained and properly disposed of by the mobile food vendor.
U. 
All mobile food vendors' vending vehicles shall be inspected and approved by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department Vehicle Inspection Program prior to the City's issuance of the business license and from time to time thereafter in the discretion of the Los Angeles County Public Health Department. At a minimum, all cooking equipment producing grease laden vapors shall be protected by a UL 300-listed automatic fire extinguishing system. A Class K fire extinguisher shall be provided within each vending vehicle at an accessible location. All fire protection equipment shall be properly maintained and serviced at intervals required by the California Fire Code.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1196, 2/25/2025)
A. 
Any use of amplified sound-making devices, including vehicle horns, to advertise, draw attention to, or announce the presence of any mobile vendor shall comply with the limitations and provisions set forth in the Paramount Municipal Code. No amplified sound making devices shall be used for such purposes upon any public roadway immediately contiguous to any property zoned for residential use within the City.
B. 
Non-amplified sound making devices shall not be used while the vending vehicle is stopped, parked, or otherwise in a stationary position, on any public roadway in an area zoned for residential use within the City; and such sounds shall not be audible for a distance of more than 200 feet in an area zoned for residential use within the City.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020)
For purposes of this section, "ice cream truck" means any motor vehicle requiring a license from the California Department of Motor Vehicles from which is sold, given away, displayed or offered for sale, at retail, any frozen dairy or waterbased food products, including shaved ice or iced snow cone products. In addition to all the requirements of this chapter applicable to mobile food vendors and vending vehicles as set forth hereinabove, ice cream trucks shall be subject to the following additional requirements:
A. 
Place of Operation—Stopping.
1. 
Sales from ice cream trucks shall be limited to the following locations:
a. 
Public roadways in residential zones that have speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less.
b. 
Public roadways and other public property directly associated with a City-sponsored event provided the ice cream truck operator has first obtained written authorization from a City official.
c. 
Public roadways with sufficient width to allow other vehicles to pass safely while the ice cream truck is stopped.
d. 
No ice cream truck shall stop or park on a public roadway for the purpose of selling, giving away, displaying, or offering for sale any product except for a period of time not to exceed one and one-half hours on any one block on a street within a residential zone.
2. 
No sales shall be made while an ice cream truck is parked within 75 feet of any intersection with any public street or streets as measured along the traveled way.
3. 
No sales shall be made from an ice cream truck which is within 200 feet of another ice cream truck which has already stopped to vend.
4. 
An ice cream truck's standard warning flasher shall be in operation immediately upon the truck stopping to vend and cease operation as the truck begins to move after vending.
B. 
Hours of Operation. Sales from ice cream trucks shall be limited to the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or one-half hour after sunset, whichever occurs first.
C. 
Noise Restrictions.
1. 
No person shall use, play, or employ any sound, outcry, amplifier, loudspeaker, or any other instrument or device for the production of sound from an ice cream truck when the ice cream truck is stationary.
2. 
No person shall use, play, or employ any sound, outcry, amplifier, loudspeaker, or any other instrument or device for the production of sound from an ice cream truck after 6:00 p.m. or one-half hour after sunset, whichever occurs first.
3. 
No person shall use, play, or employ any sound, outcry, amplifier, loudspeaker, or any other instrument or device for the production of sound from an ice cream truck in such a manner as to create a violation of any of the Noise regulations under the Paramount Municipal Code.
D. 
Restrictions on Riders. No one other than one driver and one additional person shall be allowed to ride on an ice cream truck that is in operation. The additional person may be:
1. 
An employee of the ice cream truck business owner, if said employee is an individual other than the driver;
2. 
The ice cream truck business owner if the owner is an individual other than the driver; or
3. 
A trainee.
E. 
The ice cream truck business operator shall maintain each ice cream truck in such condition that:
1. 
All doors, windows, hood, and trunk shall open and close securely;
2. 
The inside of the ice cream truck shall be clean and free of litter and trash;
3. 
There is a trash receptacle that shall be made accessible to the public when sales occur in which patrons can place package wrappers and trash;
4. 
The exterior of the ice cream truck shall be clean and in good repair, and not have any peeling, dents, rust, scratches, or missing components;
5. 
Advertising decals and price lists shall be placed only on the vending side of ice cream trucks and shall use a maximum area of 24 square feet.
F. 
The ice cream truck business owner shall have and maintain in clean operating condition on each ice cream truck, the following safety equipment:
1. 
Signs painted or mounted on the front and back of each truck using black four-inch-tall letters on a yellow background with a black one-inch border around each sign. The sign on the front and back of each truck shall read "CHILDREN CROSSING" and be eight inches high by 48 inches wide. An additional sign or signs shall be painted or mounted on the rear of each truck above the first sign and shall read "WARNING" in English and Spanish using the same size letter and paint requirements.
2. 
Standard warning flashers.
3. 
Any other safety equipment required by the California Vehicle Code.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020)
Mobile food vending vehicles and ice cream trucks shall be used for no purpose other than those purposes permitted by this chapter, unless the health officer has approved in writing some other proposed use of such vehicle.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020)
The owners, managers, or operators of any mobile vending vehicle or ice cream truck are responsible for the violation of any provisions of this chapter by their servants, agents, or employees.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020)
A. 
Mobile food and ice cream truck vendors shall comply with all applicable State and local laws.
B. 
Mobile food and ice cream truck vendors shall comply with all applicable State and local laws, ordinances, and regulations, including, without limitation, State food labeling and preparation requirements, fire codes and regulations, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and regulations.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1196, 2/25/2025)
A. 
A violation of the provisions of this chapter other than failure to possess a valid business license as required under Section12.42.140 is punishable by administrative citations as follows:
1. 
An administrative fine of $100.00 for a first violation.
2. 
An administrative fine of $200.00 for a second violation within one year of the first violation.
3. 
An administrative fine of $500.00 for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.
4. 
Appeal of an administrative citation under this section shall be in accordance with the appeal procedures in Section 1.08.090 of the Paramount Municipal Code.
B. 
Vending without a business license issued by the City of Paramount is punishable by administrative citations as follows:
1. 
An administrative fine of $250.00 for a first violation.
2. 
An administrative fine of $500.00 for a second violation within one year of the first violation.
3. 
An administrative fine of $1,000.00 for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.
4. 
Upon proof of a valid business license issued by the City of Paramount, any administrative fines imposed under this subsection for vending without possessing a copy of the business license shall be reduced to the administrative fines set forth in subsection A respectively.
C. 
The proceeds of any administrative fines assessed pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in the treasury of the City.
D. 
Each day any violation of any said provision of this chapter shall constitute a separate offense.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020)
Any mobile food or ice cream truck vendor vehicle operated contrary to the provisions of this chapter is deemed to be unlawful and is hereby declared a public nuisance. The City Attorney or City Prosecutor may commence any civil action or proceeding, for the abatement, or removal in the manner provided by law, and may apply to such court as may have jurisdiction to grant such relief as will abate or remove such vending vehicle and restrain and enjoin any person from operating as a mobile food or ice cream truck vendor contrary to the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 1137 § 2, 2020; Ord. 1196, 2/25/2025)