STEP-BY-STEP

Get permits to sell food from carts

Follow these steps to sell food from a cart (like a wagon or pushcart), known as a Compact Mobile Food Operation permit.

Environmental Health
Get one on one help through the Office of Small Business with permitting, business registration, and general business counseling.
1

Set up your business

Follow the step by step guide to setting up your business to get your San Francisco Business Registration Certificate.

2

Get your food safety certifications and plan for food safety

  • Get a Manager’s Food Safety Certification for yourself and/or an employee. This person is responsible for teaching other employees proper food handling.
  • Make sure all employees have a Food Handler Card. The SF Department of Public Health (DPH) offers a few options for obtaining this card. 
3

Consider where you will prepare and store food

You will need to store your cart at an approved location. These approved locations include:

  • A commissary
  • A permanent permitted food facility may serve as a commissary for carts that sell prepared food and maybe used to store the cart, if approved.

If you run a permitted Cottage Food Operation and want to sell the food you make from a cart, you may be eligible to store your cart at home.

Note: Prepacked non-hazardous foods and some whole uncooked fruits and vegetables do not need a health permit if vendors occupy an area of 25 square feet or smaller. They will still require a permit for their location on the sidewalk.
4

Get an approved cart, wagon, etc.

Your cart needs to meet certain construction requirements based on what food you sell.

5

Apply for a Compact Mobile Food Operation health permit

Your health permit application will ask:

  • What food you plan to sell
  • How food will be prepared at the commissary
  • How food will be prepared on your cart
  • How your cart will be serviced and cleaned
  • What nearby restroom you have access to when selling food

Apply for a Compact Mobile Food Operation permit

6

Get your street location approved with Department of Public Works

If you want to sell food on the sidewalk, you need a permit from the Department of Public Works.

Vendors must:

  • Be on sidewalks at least 12 feet wide
  • Leave at least 6 feet of the sidewalk clear for accessible path of travel
  • Be 7ft from fire hydrants
  • Be 15ft from bus zones or blue zones
  • Be 2ft from the curb on streets with parallel parking

Apply for a permit with Department of Public Works

or

Confirm your location on private property

To sell food on residential private property, you will need Planning Department approval.