Street Vendor

A vendor under the Public Works Street Vendor Permit is a person or entity that vends merchandise, or pre-packaged food or drink, which may be sold from such structures as stands, tables, non-motorized carts or wagons and similar structures that are temporary and can be removed easily. Vendors may be stationary, meaning that they sell from one or more fixed location, or roaming, meaning that they move from place to place and stop only intermittently to complete a vending transaction.

Vending under the Public Works Street Vendor Permit does not include selling from motorized conveyances, or selling of food or drink that is not typically prepackaged. Vending of other food or drink falls under the Public Works Mobile Food Facility Permit governed by Article 5.8 of the Public Works Code
 

Street Vendor Brochure  (中文版)   (Versión en Español)

PROGRAM HISTORY

Vending of merchandise that is not for human consumption has historically been regulated by the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) under the SFPD Peddler Permit. In March 2022, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed legislation adopting Article 5.9 of the Public Works Code regulating vending for both merchandise and prepackaged food or drink. Public Works issued subsequent guidelines under Order 206,887, which were approved by Board of Supervisors resolution in July 2022.
 

HOW TO APPLY FOR A STREET VENDOR PERMIT

The City created an online portal for streamlined submissions and reviews of vendor applications. Applicants may visit this link to access the online application portal.

Applicants may also fill out the Street Vendor Permit application and email the following to Public Works via StreetVendorPermit@sfdpw.org:

• Street Vendor Permit Application
• San Francisco Business Registration 
• Photo of yourself 
• Department of Public Health (DPH) Certificate of Sanitation and Decal (for food vending) 
• San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) Inspection Report and Decal (for food vending) 

CHOOSING A LOCATION

Public Works encourages applicants to read through Public Works’ street vendor regulations outlined in Public Works Order 206,887. The following are key restrictions to consider in choosing a vending location to maintain the required clearances:
 

• A 6-foot unobstructed and accessible path of travel on the sidewalk, which may be increased in certain high pedestrian traffic areas 
• 8 feet from Arts Commission-approved Street Artist License holder locations 
• 7 feet from fire hydrants 
• 15 feet from bus zones or blue zones 
• 2 feet from the curb, when operating adjacent to existing on-street parallel parking 

Street Vendor permittees may not operate in the following areas without written permission from the Director of Public Works:

• Certified farmers markets or swap meets 
• UN Plaza or Hallidie Plaza 
• Areas covered by City-issued special event permits 

Street vendor permittees who are stationary, and not roaming, may not operate in exclusively residentially zoned areas.

Street vendor applicants seeking to operate in special jurisdictions, such property under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, Golden Gate National Recreation Area or other areas outside of Public Works' jurisdiction may be subject to additional conditions or requirements.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PORT STREET VENDOR PERMIT 

Apply for a street vendor permit under the the Port of San Francisco's jurisdiction and learn more here.

HEALTH AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS

Vendors selling prepackaged food or drink must also obtain appropriate permits from the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) for food vending and San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) when using an energy source, including but not limited to propane, butane or battery. Required health and/or fire permits must be obtained within 90 days after approval of a Public Works permit.

More information is available through the Public Health permit webpage and Fire Department permit webpage.
 

PERMIT FEES

Permit fees for the Street Vendor Permit are listed on the Public Works permit fee schedule.

Individuals applying for a permit may be eligible for an initial permit application fee waiver, and a 50% reduced renewal fee if their individual or family income is less than or equal to 200% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Poverty Guidelines.

Organizations classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code may be eligible for a 50% reduced initial application and renewal application fee if one of the following applies:

• The organization’s funding does not exceed $2.5 million annually
• The organization is a Community Benefit District (CBD) 
• The organization supports a cultural district
• The organization has a mission of supporting economic development or community vitalization.
   

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

• Article 5.9 Permit Regulations for Vendors
• Map of Street Vending Permits
• Public Works Fee Schedule
• Public Works Orders
• Permit Applications
• Register Your Business

APPEALS

Final decisions may be appealed to the City's Board of Appeals within 15 calendar days from the date of an approved or denied permit application. For further information, please contact the Board of Appeals in person at 49 South Van Ness, Suite 1475 or call (628) 652-1150.
 

CONTACT US

For additional questions regarding the Street Vendor Permit, we encourage you to reach out to our Street Vendor Permitting Team at StreetVendorPermit@sfdpw.org