Illegal Street Kitchens in Santa Barbara County Face New Crackdown
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. — Santa Barbara County officials are forming a special task force to crack down on illegal street kitchens.
The move comes after months of complaints from residents, restaurant owners, and elected leaders, who say unlicensed food vendors are undercutting local businesses.
Photos presented to county officials showed food service violations, including questionable storage areas. County inspectors reported that hot food items tested did not meet proper health standards, while many cold food items also failed inspections.
According to county documents, many of the street kitchens are operated out of vans transported from the Los Angeles area.
A report from Gina Fischer, chief of staff for Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, highlighted ongoing frustrations with enforcement. Efforts to shut down the illegal kitchens or confiscate their equipment have been largely ineffective.
County officials said that if they seize food and equipment, they must store it—but lack the space to do so. They also noted that vendors often relocate, leaving one area only to return elsewhere.
The issue has been reported in Santa Barbara, the Goleta Valley, Lompoc, and the Santa Ynez Valley.
Bea Molina, with the Milpas Eastside Business Association, said she has dealt with the problem for eight years with little government support.
Officials said enforcement efforts are often unsuccessful because vendors fail to sign forms or provide required information. The District Attorney’s Office suggested that some workers may be involved in human trafficking operations as a way to pay off debts.
Supporters argue that street vendors offer lower prices and extended hours compared to traditional restaurants.
Some licensed businesses report losing hundreds of dollars in sales each night due to the competition from unregulated food vendors.
The county task force will include agencies such as the Health Department, Fire Department, and Sheriff’s Office. Officials will review findings and report back in six months.
