Port Street Vendor Permit

To apply for a street vendor permit in the Port’s jurisdiction, submit to Public Works the following:

• Apply for a street vendor permit. Electronic copies (PDF) of the application materials may be sent to StreetVendorPermit@sfdpw.org.
   

• Submit all required documents:
  • San Francisco Business Registration
  • California Seller’s Permit
  • Photo of yourself
  • Department of Public Health (DPH) Certificate of Sanitation and Decal (for food vending)
  • San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) Inspection Report and Decal (for food vending)
  • Certificate of Insurance (COI) – Submit a COI as evidence of general commercial liability coverage and language that complies with Public Works-BSM’s requirements as identified in the Sample COI.
     
• Payment of Fees – The permit will not be approved until all fees have been paid. The fee is calculated on per-block face, per-day basis and includes SFMTA parking meter fees when applicable. See the San Francisco Public Works Fee Schedule. 

All vending stalls are available on a first come first served basis. Please see this detailed map of all locations.

The following nine locations will be subject to a lottery that will occur monthly: 

• Pier 45 (A-1, A-2)
• Pier 43 (B-1, B-2, B-3)
• Powell & The Embarcadero (C-1, C-2)
• Pier ½ (G-1, G-2)

These vending stalls will be subject to a lottery which will occur monthly. There will be more information forthcoming when we schedule our first drawing.

Street Vendor permittees in the Port’s jurisdiction must maintain the following clearances:

• Vending is restricted to non-motorized conveyances, stands, or pushcarts.
• Vending equipment must be no more than 10 feet in length, depth, and height, including wheels, axles, umbrellas, tents, or canopies.
• Umbrellas, tents, or canopies must be made of a sturdy and safe material and must be attached and anchored to the vending equipment in such a way that sudden bursts of wind will not dislodge them.
• Vending equipment must not lean against or attach to a permanent building or structure.
• Vending equipment must be self-contained and have no connection to external power, piping, or plumbing.
• Food and merchandise must be securely fastened to or secured within the vending equipment.
• Food or merchandise must not be displayed directly on streets, sidewalks, pathways, piers, wharfs, grass, landscaping, or other structures.
• Mobile vendors are prohibited from vending any harmful or dangerous items, noise-making devices, or items that are prohibited by law, such as alcohol, cannabis, and firearms.

Sidewalk Clearances

• Minimum clearance is 16 feet on the Embarcadero Promenade or 6 feet elsewhere on the Port property.
• No Street Vending near Oracle Park Special Event Area defined by SFMTA two hours before and after the event unless vendor has written consent from SFMTA.
• Stationary Vending equipment needs to be parallel to the curb, with the longest side of the vending equipment parallel to the curb.
• Mobile Vendors should not make excessive noise and cannot use speakers, amplifiers, musical instruments, or other noise-making devices.
• Equipment cannot be chained or fastened to the sidewalk, street furniture, fence, rail, bench, bike rack, tree, pole, sign, or other publicly owned objects.