Tougher Health Enforcement Shuts Down Street Kitchens

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) - With the start of the six-month Sidewalk Vending Pilot Program by Santa Barbara County agencies a combined coordinated enforcement has reduced the number of illegal operations.

An outreach and warning period was followed by enforcement.

Areas included Highway 246 and Highway 154 in the Santa Ynez Valley and also in Orcutt. There were also efforts in the City of Santa Barbara with oversight by inspectors including from the County Health Department and Environmental Health Services Division (EHS).

Seven outreach events between April 3 and October 3, 2026, resulted in 1,156 pounds of contaminated food discarded or impounded, 13 sets of equipment impounded, and 13 Notices of Violation (NOVs).

The California Highway Patrol and Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department have also been involved.

Highway vendors moved or ceasing operations after receiving 66 warnings and citations. In some cases there have been fire concerns over open flames and hot grease.

The County’s Public Information Officer, Kelsey Buttitta executed a comprehensive education campaign— including a Safe Sidewalk Vending website, bilingual materials, PSAs, newsletters, media engagement, and social media — to inform the public and guide vendors toward compliance.

When contaminated food or equipment was found it was impounded, stored or discarded.

Another outreach effort is expected to take place later this month.

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