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.
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…