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
$111Your 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.
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:
- Merchandise (like clothes, electronics, or souvenirs)
- Prepackaged food (if you have the correct permit from DPH)
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:
- Your business name
- Your Business Account Number (BAN) (You must register your business to receive a BAN. Your BAN is a 7-digit number. You can look it up.)
- Your California Seller’s Permit
- What you will sell
- Where you want to sell
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.
Partner agencies
What to know
Cost
$111Your 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.
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:
- Merchandise (like clothes, electronics, or souvenirs)
- Prepackaged food (if you have the correct permit from DPH)
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:
- Your business name
- Your Business Account Number (BAN) (You must register your business to receive a BAN. Your BAN is a 7-digit number. You can look it up.)
- Your California Seller’s Permit
- What you will sell
- Where you want to sell
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.