STEP-BY-STEP
Organize food vendors for a special event
Get health approval to hold a special event where vendors sell or give away food or beverages.
Food Safety- As the event organizer, you need to submit all documents no less than 2 weeks before the event.
- This permit is not needed for private parties or corporate events when all attendees are licensed professionals, like doctors or teachers.
- Nonprofit sponsors may be eligible for an exemption
- Cases where your permit is free or you don't need a food permit
Fill out your sponsor application
Organize your food vendors
Anyone who sells food or beverages at your event needs to have or get a permit. This includes pre-packaged foods and alcoholic beverages.
You will need to collect and submit paperwork from every vendor to the health department.
Prepare a site map
You need to have a plan for potable water, electricity supply, and handwashing.
Get details on site plan requirements.
Once you have all your vendors, prepare a site map of the event that shows:
- Each food vendor booth or food truck
- Restrooms
- Water sources and grey water disposal (if applicable)
Send your application packet to the Health Department
Your application packet should include:
- Your sponsor application
- Completed vendor applications
- Event site map
- A list of your vendors
Environmental Health BranchAttention: Temporary Events program
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
Wait to hear back from the Health Department
City staff will follow up with you on any next steps after you've sent it your application.