Guide to food permits for special events

Give yourself plenty of time to coordinate the event.

You'll be:

• planning and mapping your site
• organizing your food vendors
• collecting applications and fees
• overseeing food safety measures

To get started, go to organize food vendors for a special community event.

You’ll submit your application to the event organizer at least 2 weeks before the event.

For food or beverage booths:

Fill out the temporary food facility concessionaire application.

For mobile food facilities:

Fill out the mobile food facility concessionaire application.

If you do not already have a mobile food facility permit in San Francisco, you will be charged an extra fee.

To apply for an annual permit for temporary food facility booth, fill out the application and supplemental forms, then contact ehtempevents@sfdph.org with your application. 

Know the rules you need to follow, whether you're an organizer or a vendor.

Construction rules

Structural rules for temporary food booths

Handwashing station setup for temporary food booths

Operational rules for food trucks and other mobile food facilities

Handling food safely

Food handling rules for special events

Preparation checklist

There are some cases where your permit might be free or you don't need one.

View situations where you might get an exemption.

You may need permits or approval from other 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