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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<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Eyewitness News spoke with a few vendors on Friday, February 27, 2026<\/a>, to better understand the situation. Many vendors emphasized that obtaining permits and licenses was a challenge. <\/p>\n Code Enforcement Manager Jose Gonzalez said the city\u2019s first step with vendors is education. \u201cWhat we tend to do first is educate them on our ordinance,\u201d Gonzalez said.<\/p>\n Gonzalez said requirements depend on what a vendor is selling. \u201cIt\u2019s gonna dictate what type of license they need, what type of permit they need, and if they need any outside permits,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n According to Gonzalez, anyone conducting business within Bakersfield city limits must obtain a Bakersfield business tax certificate.<\/p>\n Additional permits may be required depending on the type of vendor.<\/p>\n For example, food truck vendors must also secure a Kern County health permit, along with any required city approvals. Vendors must also comply with \u201ctime, place, and manner\u201d regulations, which determine where and when they are allowed to operate. \u201cHow 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,\u201d Gonzalez said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Because each situation is different, Gonzalez encourages vendors to contact Code Enforcement<\/a>, the city\u2019s finance department, or the Kern County Public Health Department<\/a> before starting their business to ensure they meet all requirements.<\/p>\n In the Casa Loma area, Gonzalez said the location itself is the problem. \u201cThere\u2019s no curb, there\u2019s no sidewalk. So it’s not safe to walk,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He said vendors have been setting up in dirt areas, public right-of-way and in some cases private property.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n When it comes to this area, one of the city\u2019s primary concerns is emergency access. As a result, officials say vending activity in that specific area cannot continue. \u201cThe goal, as in for that Casa Loma area, is that all activity has to stop in that area,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n![\"Food](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/58ad513c-3383-402e-ac1a-6386f9acf99b-FoodVendors.JPG\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Food](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/336f3b49-50f1-45f2-83ec-8f6543fba30d-Foodvendors.png\"\/)
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