Article 8 Food & Food Products
Special and/or Temporary Events
Caterer Guidelines (pdf)
Food Safety During Power Outages
Office: (415) 252-3800
Fax: (415) 252-3842
An application for a Health Permit to Operate must be submitted to the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) prior to opening a food facility.
Permits are required for food facilities including (but not limited to) restaurants, markets, bars, bakeries, liquor stores, school cafeterias, catering facilities, commissaries, and vending machines.
The Permit to Operate is not transferrable. When a new business owner takes over an existing business, the new owner must apply for a Health Permit to Operate at least 30-days prior to the first day of operation.
The Health Department is part of the Permit Center's building permit process. If the site is a first time tenant improvement, a change of use, a change of occupancy classification, or will be remodeling, a building permit is required to be filled with the Permit Center and the Health Department shall be added to the permit routing. Visit the SF Permit Center to apply for building permits.
Existing permitted establishments that are remodeling should consult with SFDPH to determine if a reclassification of the Health Permit to Operate is required.
The applicant should also check with the Department of Building Inspection to determine if a new Building Permit Application is required for any proposed construction work.
Visit the SFDPH Plan Check Program page for more information.
The online application portal may be used for Restaurants, Bars, Retail Food Markets, Bakeries, Catering Facilities/Commissaries, Cafeterias, and Caterers.
Step 1 – COMPLETE THE APPLICATION
Step 2 – Sign the Form Electronically.
Step 3 – Pay the fee (if applicable).
The following businesses can not use the online process and require a paper/PDF application:
If you would like to make a complaint you may call or visit 311.
- Service 24x7
San Francisco Department of Public Health Environmental Health Branch