SERVICE

Apply for a street vending permit on Port property

Sell merchandise or prepackaged food on Port property which includes some piers, and some north and east waterfront areas.

What to know

Cost

$111

Your payment will be due after we’ve approved your permit.

Timeline

It takes 14 days to process a vending permit application.

What to do

1. Decide if this is the right permit for you

Make sure that you want to sell on Port property. 

You will not be able to sell anywhere else with this permit.

See detailed map of Port vending locations

If you want to sell anywhere else in the City (not on Port property), apply for a street vending permit

2. Check if you are eligible to apply for this permit

To be eligible for this permit, you must have: 

  • A registered business 
  • An active seller’s permit 
  • A Mobile Food Facility 1 permit from DPH (if you want to sell prepackaged food)

If your business is not registered yet, complete your business registration first.

3. Learn what you can sell

With this permit you can sell: 

You are not allowed to sell: 

  • Alcohol 
  • Any food that is not prepackaged 
  • Art (you must go to Arts Commission program) 

If you want to sell non-prepackaged food at the Port, you must apply for a Mobile Food Facility Permit

If you aren’t sure if you are allowed to sell what you want, contact us: streetvendorpermit@sfdpw.org

4. Prepare your information

We will ask you about:    

You will also need to submit a picture of yourself. You can take a picture from your phone and upload that. 

You must agree that you own the things you are selling, and that the information you put in the application is true. 

5. Start your application

It usually takes about an hour to fill out the application.  

After you submit your application, we will email you a copy of your application and information about what to do next.

6. Staff reviews your application

We will contact you if we need any additional information or have questions about your application. 

The application process can take up to 14 days.

7. Pay your permit fees

If we approve your application, we will send you a bill. 

The bill will include: 

  • Port Street Vending permit fee: $100 (per year) 
  • Board of Appeals surcharge: $11 

Each person must have their own permit and the permit holder must be present at all times.

8. Enter the monthly lottery for a chance to vend at certain Port vending locations at certain times (optional)

Certain locations are only available via a monthly lottery. Learn how the lottery works.

You can apply for the monthly lottery after you have been approved as a vendor on Port property.

The monthly lottery form will ask you to select the locations where you want to vend.

Get help

Phone

Additional info

If you need help with your business, get in touch with the Office of Small Business.