Environmental Health

Permits for Pushcarts

On Public Property:

1. You must file an application at the Police Department at 850 Bryant St.
2. The Health Inspector will receive a Police Referral from the Police Department and contact you to obtain the following:
   • A letter stating the vendor has use of a toilet room within 200 feet of the cart location
   • A letter documenting the commissary (with a Health Permit) the cart will be taken to daily for cleaning and supplies
   • Written approval from the Fire Department if propane is used on the cart
   • Completed application forms a-c. NO FEES to send
     1. application for permit to operate or certificate of sanitation (pdf)
     2. health permit application zoning referral (pdf)
     3. fire marshal application (pdf)
   • An appointment to inspect the cart
3. Upon completion of the above The Health Inspector will approve and forward the Police Referral to the Police Department by the hearing date.
4. Upon receipt of a copy of the POLICE PERMIT from you,  the inspector will issue  and record a decal # on his/her  inspection report and take a photo of the cart for the Health Department file.

On Private Property:

1. The applicant must file an application with the Health Dept. at 1390 Market St. Suite 210
2. The application must include the following:
   • written permission from the site that the applicant may operate a pushcart on that property.
   • A letter documenting the commissary (with a Health Permit) the cart will be taken to daily for cleaning and supplies
   • Completed application forms a-c.
     1. application for permit to operate or certificate of sanitation (pdf)
     2. health permit application zoning referral (pdf)
     3. fire marshal application (pdf)
   • a check for  $ 356.00.
   • A photocopy of the driver license or similar documentation of identity of the applicant(s)
   • Written approval from the Fire Dept. if propane is used on the cart
   • An appointment to inspect the cart
3. If in compliance and the above is complete,  permit application will be  approved and processed
4. The Tax Collector will bill the applicant for the annual Health Permit Fee to Operate.
5. When the Tax Collector has notified The Health Inspector that the applicant has PAID, a permit and decal# are issued.

On Park Property:

• The Health Dept. requires written permission from the Park (e.g. the Golden Gate Park contact person  is Chris Mack 831-2775

Mobile Food Preparation Businesses:

A new state law went into effect on January 1, 2004, The Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2003,that prohibits mobile tobacco sales in California. The new state law requires every eligible retailer currently selling tobacco to apply for and obtain a retailers’ license from the California State Board of Equalization.  However, only retailers that operate from a fixed location are eligible to obtain a license while catering trucks, lunch wagons and other mobile facilities do not qualify for a license to sell cigarettes or tobacco.