How to Get a Food Permit:

BEFORE APPLYING FOR A PERMIT:

Once you select a potential site for opening a food establishment, you should first check with the

Planning Department
1660 Mission Street, 3rd floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-558-6377

Should the site location require new construction or remodeling, a Building Permit will be required from the Building Department  at (1660 Mission), and a deposit (See Fee Schedule of Licenses, Permits, Fines & Service Charges) (check or money order) payable to the San Francisco Health Department is required for checking plans, inspecting construction or remodeling, and for other plan check activities (see Plan check link on the left). Unless it is a change of ownership (see below) plan check requirements must be met before a Permit to Operate is issued.

ONCE YOU ARE READY TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO OPERATE:

APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO OPERATE

1. Print and fill out the following application forms:

1. Application for a Permit to Operate or Certificate of Sanitation (pdf)
2. Health Permit Application Zoning Referral Form (pdf)
3. Fire Marshal Referral Form (pdf)
4. Food Certification Form (pdf)
5. Workers' Compensation Declaration (pdf)

2. Send above three applications with a check for the amount:

• Please see Fee Schedule of Licenses, Permits, Fines & Service Charges

Make check payable to "San Francisco Department of Public Health" and send to:

Department of Public Health
Environmental Health Section
1390 Market Street, Ste 210
San Francisco, CA 94102

NOTE: Make sure that all applicants sign the applications: if partnership, all partners must sign; if corporation, authorized officer must sign.

3. Fill out  Referral Inspection Request for a Fire Department Inspection Application and send it to the San Francisco Fire Department.

The address is included on the application.

Once we receive the applications with the payment, a Health Inspector for the district where your establishment is located, will call you to set up an appointment.

The "Permit to Operate" will be issued by us upon:

• The successful conclusion of our final inspection
• The Tax Collector's confirmation that fees have been paid, and
• The Building, Planning and Fire Departments' (if they were involved) approvals.

The Permit will be mailed or given to the operator. It must be placed along with the Tax collector's License Certificate where it can be easily seen by the public.

Change of Ownership - Permit to Operate is not transferable. When a new business owner takes over an existing business, the new owner must apply for a Permit within two (2) days, otherwise a citation will be issued. Once applications are received, an inspection will be scheduled.  A 45-day temporary permit will be issued and a reinspection conducted at the end of the 45-day period. Upon a successful inspection a Permit to Operate will be issued.