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 HealthGet one on one help through the Office of Small Business with permitting, business registration, and general business counseling.
Check that your location meets requirements
We do not allow vending on Mission Street between 14th and Cesar Chavez Streets, except between 23rd and 25th Streets. All locations in that area are taken, and we are not issuing new permits. For more information, see Order 212523.
If you want to sell food on the sidewalk, carts/wagons must:
- Be on sidewalks at least 15ft wide
- Leave at least 6ft of the sidewalk clear for accessible path of travel
- Be 7ft from fire hydrants
- Be 12ft from bus zones or blue zones
- Be 2ft from the curb on streets with parallel parking
- Be 6ft from an entrance to any building
- Be 6ft from any trash cans, trees, bike racks, parking meters, utility boxes
- Be 500 feet away from public middle schools
- Be 1000 feet away from public high schools
You can provide up to two back-up locations on your application in case your preferred location is unavailable or does not meet the above requirements.
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 may be used to store the cart, if approved.
If you use a Commissary outside of San Francisco, you will need verification that it is permitted by a different County Health Department.
If you run a permitted Cottage Food Operation and want to sell the food you make as a licensed CFO from a cart, you may be eligible to store your cart at home.
Note: Prepacked non-hazardous foods and whole uncooked fruits and vegetables do not need a health permit if vendors occupy an area of 25 square feet or smaller. However, they still need to register with the Department of Public Health, complete an exemption form, and still require a permit for their location on the sidewalk.
Set up your business
Follow the step by step guide to setting up your business to get your San Francisco Business Registration Certificate and a CA Seller's permit.
List your Commissary location (Step 2) as your business address.
Please wait 24hrs for after business registration before submitting the CMFO health application.
Get your food safety certifications and plan for food safety
Food handler cards are required for any employee of a moderate or high risk Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFOs). Food handler cards are not required for low risk CMFOs.
Prepare your cart, wagon, etc.
Your cart needs to meet certain construction requirements based on what food you sell. Before you construct your cart/wagon, Health Inspectors can review your plans. Contact mobilefood@sfdph.org or visit the Permit Center.
Your cart will be inspected after you submit your CMFO permit application.
Apply for a Compact Mobile Food Operation health permit
CMFO permit and license fees, including plan check fees, are waived according to BOS File 250967. Business registration fees for CMFOs still apply.
The 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 Permit (application link will be available soon)