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Public Works Mobile Food Facility location permit (public street vending): San Francisco restaurant guide

SF Public Works — Bureau of Street-Use & Mapping

What it is

The permit for the specific curb location where a truck or cart sells on a public street; requires a 30-day notice to neighbors, a possible hearing, and DPH, SFFD, insurance and business-registration prerequisites.

When a restaurant needs it

Selling from a truck or cart on a public street (private-lot vending needs the property owner's consent and DPH instead).

How to apply

File the Public Works application with photos, a site plan and menu, pay half the fees, complete the 30-day mailed notice and 10-day posting; after tentative approval you have 90 days to deliver the BAN, $2,000,000 liability insurance naming the City, DMV registration, DPH Certificate of Sanitation and SFFD certificate, then pay the balance.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
Per the Public Works permit fee schedule and Mobile Food Fee Schedule; half due at filing, balance at issuance; no refunds
Processing time
30-day notice plus up to 90 days to satisfy conditions; hearing if objections
Renewal
Annual
Who files
The operator applies.

Good to know

Location rules: 75 ft from restaurant entrances, 500 ft from middle schools and 1,000 ft from high schools on school days, 10 ft (trucks) / 15 ft (carts) sidewalk width. Contact mobilefood@sfdpw.org or (628) 271-2000.

Official source

Public Works — mobile food facility permits

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.