BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Starting a street-vending business in Bakersfield begins with understanding the city’s rules and getting the right permits, but officials say some locations may be off-limits because of safety and traffic concerns. One of those locations is Casa Loma Drive.
The Bakersfield Police Department said on Sunday, February 22, 2026, BPD’s Impact Unit focused on an enforcement operation in the area of Casa Loma Drive and South Martin Luther King Boulevard in southeast Bakersfield in response to ongoing community concerns.
Bakersfield police and other agencies conducted an enforcement operation on Casa Loma targeting unauthorized street vendors who have been setting up weekly on private property. The operation ended in several citations. PHOTO: BPD
According to Bakersfield police, a large number of street vendors have been setting up weekly operations in the area on private property, creating congestion, traffic issues and trespassing violations. Police said the gatherings were leaving trash in the area once they dispersed.
Eyewitness News spoke with a few vendors on Friday, February 27, 2026, to better understand the situation. Many vendors emphasized that obtaining permits and licenses was a challenge.
Code Enforcement Manager Jose Gonzalez said the city’s first step with vendors is education. “What we tend to do first is educate them on our ordinance,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said requirements depend on what a vendor is selling. “It’s gonna dictate what type of license they need, what type of permit they need, and if they need any outside permits,” he said.
According to Gonzalez, anyone conducting business within Bakersfield city limits must obtain a Bakersfield business tax certificate.
Additional permits may be required depending on the type of vendor.
For example, food truck vendors must also secure a Kern County health permit, along with any required city approvals. Vendors must also comply with “time, place, and manner” regulations, which determine where and when they are allowed to operate. “How far they need to be from intersections. How far from schools? How far from other restaurants? There are a lot of restrictions when it comes to vending,” Gonzalez said.
In some cases, vendors may need to submit a plot plan showing where they intend to operate and provide written permission from a property owner if they plan to vend on private property.
Because each situation is different, Gonzalez encourages vendors to contact Code Enforcement, the city’s finance department, or the Kern County Public Health Department before starting their business to ensure they meet all requirements.
In the Casa Loma area, Gonzalez said the location itself is the problem. “There’s no curb, there’s no sidewalk. So it’s not safe to walk,” he said.
He said vendors have been setting up in dirt areas, public right-of-way and in some cases private property.
Gonzalez said officials have received complaints about traffic congestion, blocked roadways, and residents being unable to access their homes because cars were parked in front of their driveways.
He explained that when complaints are received, code enforcement officers first attempt to educate vendors about city ordinances and available permits. If compliance efforts fail, administrative citations, parking citations, or trespassing enforcement may follow.
When it comes to this area, one of the city’s primary concerns is emergency access. As a result, officials say vending activity in that specific area cannot continue. “The goal, as in for that Casa Loma area, is that all activity has to stop in that area,” he said.
Officials have suggested vendors consider relocating to areas that are properly zoned and equipped for vending, such as the Kern County Fairgrounds. According to Kern County swap meet vendor information, staff help guide vendors through the process, including explaining which permits are required, and are available to answer questions.
Interested vendors may contact them at (661) 397-1504. The Kern County Swap Meet is open on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. As well as on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Corazon Latino Bakersfield will also host a Small Business Day on March 14 at Belle Terrace Park. Gonzalez said the event will include representatives from finance, public health, and code enforcement to help vendors better understand the permitting process.