Organize food vendors for a special community event

Get health approval to hold a temporary public event where vendors sell or give away food or beverages.

What to do

1. Review your site

Before you confirm an event location, view the Office of Small Business guide to hosting temporary events and pop-ups.

Make sure you already have approval and the necessary permits to host your event at this location.

Once confirmed, you need to have a plan for potable water, electricity supply, and handwashing.

Get details on site plan requirements.

2. Fill out your sponsor application

You'll give your contact information and general information about the event.

Download and complete the sponsor application.

3. Organize your food vendors

Anyone who sells food or beverages at your event needs to get a permit. This includes pre-packaged foods and alcoholic beverages.

You'll collect applications from all vendors and submit them to the health department.

To get started, direct your vendors to fill out forms for their concessionaire permit.

4. Prepare a site map and vendor list

Once you have all your vendors, prepare a site map of the event.

This must include the location of:

  • Each food vendor booth or food truck
  • Restrooms
  • Water sources and grey water disposal (if applicable)

5. Send all documentation to the health department

Send all documentation to the health department.

Your application packet includes:

  • Your sponsor application
  • Completed vendor applications
  • Event site map
  • A list of your vendors

Department of Public Health

Environmental Health Branch
Attention: Temporary Events program
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
View location on google maps

6. Wait to hear back

We'll follow up with you on any next steps after you've sent it your application.

To prepare for your appointment, review the fee worksheet.

Get other permits as needed

Get other permits as needed

You may need permits or approvals from other city agencies for the following cases:

Cooking, open flame, generator use

SF Fire Department
415-558-3303

Sidewalk use

SF Department of Public Works
415-554-5810

Alcohol sales

State ABC
415-356-6500

Public property use

SF Police Department
415-553-1115

Park property use

SF Recreation and Parks
415-831-5500

Body modification (body art) permits

SF Public Health
415-252-3971

Recycling, composting, trash

Recology
415-554-3434

Special cases

Situations where a permit is free or not needed

Situations where a permit is free or not needed

Get help

Phone

Kyle Chan

Senior Environmental Health Inspector

Aron Wong

Senior Environmental Health Inspector

Department of Public Health

Environmental Health Branch
Attention: Temporary Events program
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
View location on google maps

Last updated September 4, 2024