Get approval to open a mobile food facility

The health permit and approvals you need depend on where you'll be located and how you'll prepare and sell food.

What to do

Know where you'll operate

Know where you'll operate

The steps for approval are different depending on whether you will have your mobile food facility on:

  • Public right-of-way
  • Private property
  • Private events only

Follow our directions specific to where you plan to operate.

Prepare to follow food safety

Prepare to follow food safety

To operate on public property

To operate on public property

To operate a mobile food facility on a public right-of-way, you need:

  • a public works permit
  • a health certificate of sanitation
  • to pay your license fees

You must also meet City construction codes and food safety rules and inspections.

Go to the steps to operate a mobile food facility on public property.

To operate on private property

To operate on private property

To operate a mobile food facility on private property, you need:

  • zoning approval for temporary use of the area
  • a health permit to operate
  • to pay your license fees

You must also meet City construction codes and food safety rules and inspections.

Go to the steps to operate a mobile food facility on private property.

Get help

Mobile Food Program

Danny Nguyen
Senior Health Inspector

Abel Simon
Senior Health Inspector

Email the team at mobilefood@sfdph.org

Or visit us at the Permit Center.

About

The Environmental Health Branch manages health permits and inspections for mobile food facilities to keep food safe for consumption. We're a part of the Department of Public Health.