SERVICE
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 know
Give yourself plenty of time:
You must submit all documents no less than 2 weeks before the event.
- Documents include your sponsor and vendor applications, and site plan with vendor locations.
- We do not accept applications less than 1 week before the event
When you need this
- If food will be given away or sold to the public at community event, like at a street fair or art show
- This permit is not needed for private parties or corporate events when all attendees are licensed professionals, like doctors or teachers.
- Nonprofit sponsors may be eligible for an exemption.
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.
2. Fill out your sponsor application
You'll give your contact information and general information about the event.
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
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
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
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
Supporting information
Special cases
Situations where a permit is free or not needed
Get help
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
Temporary events program
ehtempevents@sfdph.orgPartner agencies
What to know
Give yourself plenty of time:
You must submit all documents no less than 2 weeks before the event.
- Documents include your sponsor and vendor applications, and site plan with vendor locations.
- We do not accept applications less than 1 week before the event
When you need this
- If food will be given away or sold to the public at community event, like at a street fair or art show
- This permit is not needed for private parties or corporate events when all attendees are licensed professionals, like doctors or teachers.
- Nonprofit sponsors may be eligible for an exemption.
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.
2. Fill out your sponsor application
You'll give your contact information and general information about the event.
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
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
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
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
Supporting information
Special cases
Situations where a permit is free or not needed
Get help
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
Temporary events program
ehtempevents@sfdph.org