San Francisco, CA Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Filing fee
- $125 per application
- Notification fee
- $200 per location
- Inspection fee
- $383 first location
- Permit term
- expires after 7 years
- Issuing agency
- SF Department of Public Works
Summary
San Francisco requires every mobile food facility to hold a Public Works Department permit, with a $125 filing fee plus a $200 notification fee and $383 inspection fee per vending location.
Every person desiring a Mobile Food Facility permit pursuant to this Article 5.8 shall file an application with the Director upon a form provided by the Director and shall pay a filing fee of $125, a notification fee of $200, and an inspection fee of $383 for a single Location for the Mobile Food Facility. Each additional Location shall require payment to the Department of a notification fee of $200 per Location, an inspection fee of $383 for the first additional Location and an inspection fee of $191.50 per each additional Location. Separate fees shall be paid to the Department of Health and the Fire Marshal for the annual approvals required by each department for a valid permit under this Article. The fees for the Department of Public Health are set forth in the Business and Tax Regulations Code.
(b) Half of the required fees for a single Location and half of the fees for any additional Location(s) shall be paid at the time of application submission and the remainder of the total fee amount shall be paid at the time of the Director's decision on the permit. No refunds are available if the Department disapproves a permit or a Permit Location.
(c) Every Permittee desiring to change the Location of the Mobile Food Facility, modify the hours of operation to allow service after 8 p.m., or add a new Location(s) during the term of the annual permit, shall file an application with the Director upon a form provided by the Director and shall pay a filing
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Public Works Code Article 5.8, anyone operating a food truck or cart must file a permit application with the Director of Public Works on a department form. The base fee package is a $125 filing fee, $200 notification fee, and $383 inspection fee for one location, with added notification and inspection fees for each additional location. Half is due at application, the rest when the Director decides the permit. Permits renew annually and expire seven years from the first renewal date if the operator stays compliant.
Violations & Fines
Permits are renewed only while the facility stays compliant with Article 5.8, including paying all City fees; operators with three or more Notices of Violation in 24 months must satisfy full public-noticing requirements before their permit can be renewed or reissued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do food trucks need a permit in San Francisco?
What does an SF food truck permit cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California food trucks & mobile vendors overview
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