Running a vendor market in San Francisco.
To run a vendor market in San Francisco, an organizer starts with the city's event intake form, which lists the needed permits: SFMTA for street closures, Recreation and Park for parks, and a Fire Department permit for tents and cooking. Food booths need Department of Public Health temporary food permits. Vendors register their business and hold a California seller's permit.
Updated
Event permit.
Special event street closure permit
Contact SFMTA early, submit the event intake form, then apply for the street closure permit. Food, alcohol, amplified sound, tents, stages, security and insurance each add requirements.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), with the Permit Center
- When
- Multi-block public events on a city street such as a street fair, night market or festival; a no-sales neighborhood block party has a simpler process
- Timing
- Reach out several months or more ahead depending on event size; the city says permit approvals can take 2 to 6+ months
Parks and public space.
Recreation and Park Department event permit
City park and plaza events are permitted through the Recreation and Park Department rather than SFMTA. The Port and Treasure Island have separate permit processes for their property.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- San Francisco Recreation and Park Department
- When
- Events of any size in a city park or plaza
Fire safety, tents and cooking.
Temporary Place of Assembly permit
Submit in person at the Permit Center with a site plan, general liability insurance naming the City as additional insured and a sponsor acknowledgment if hosting vendors who need fire permits. The Fire Department inspects on site at least 1 hour before the event and may require paid fire watch.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- San Francisco Fire Department
- When
- Outdoor events with tents, cooking or food warming, portable generators or other fire-regulated activities
- Fee
- $436 and up application fee
- Timing
- Events that close a street: apply at least 2 weeks before; events over 1,000 attendees: at least 6 months before
Other rules.
Special event permit fee schedule
The street closure application fee rises as the event date gets closer, with a lower rate for small community events. The schedule also covers no-parking signs, fire fees and emergency medical plan review for events over 1,000 attendees.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- San Francisco Permit Center and partner agencies
- When
- Outdoor special events on a city street or Port property
- Fee
- SFMTA street closure application: $1,331.00 at 120+ days to $2,441.00 at 30-59 days ($166.00 to $333.00 for small community events), fiscal 2026-27
One-Time Outdoor Event permit (amplified sound or entertainment)
The Entertainment Commission issues this permit for outdoor events that include amplified sound or entertainment.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- San Francisco Entertainment Commission
- When
- Outdoor events with amplified sound or entertainment
- Fee
- $586.00 application fee
Vendor and business licenses.
San Francisco business registration
The city says all businesses operating in San Francisco must register with the City, even small ones. Businesses that sell retail products also register with CDTFA.
- Who
- Organizer and vendors
- From
- San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector and Office of Economic and Workforce Development
- When
- Businesses that operate in San Francisco
Sales tax.
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit
California requires a temporary seller's permit for anyone selling at a location for under 90 days, and each temporary sales location is registered with its own start and end dates. Registration is online through CDTFA.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Vendors making retail sales of taxable goods at a market; sellers at one location for less than 90 days are treated as temporary sellers
- Fee
- Free
- Timing
- May be obtained 90 days before the business start date
Seller information for the event operator
Most sellers of new or used goods hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. Occasional sellers and sellers with only exempt sales may not need a permit.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)
- When
- Sellers at swap meets, flea markets and special events
Food vendors.
Temporary Food Facility permit (vendors)
Vendors apply for a one-time permit by sending the concessionaire application to the event organizer, or get an annual permit valid through March 31 of the next year. Cottage food operators also need a Temporary Food Facility permit to sell at an event.
- Who
- Vendors
- From
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, Environmental Health
- When
- Food booths or stands at special events; food trucks need a Mobile Food Facility permit instead
- Timing
- Submit the one-time concessionaire application to the organizer at least 2 weeks before the event; get an annual permit at least two weeks before
Event sponsor Temporary Food Facility permit
The sponsor applies for the event, and each vendor must be listed on the permit. Vendors with an existing annual permit pay no event fee but are still listed. A late fee applies to applications within 14 days of the event.
- Who
- Organizer
- From
- San Francisco Department of Public Health
- When
- Any event with food or beverage
- Fee
- $211 per event sponsor application; late fee of 50% of the application fee (fiscal 2026-27)
What the rules ask of organizers about vendors.
Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records.
When to apply.
- Special event street closure permit: Reach out several months or more ahead depending on event size; the city says permit approvals can take 2 to 6+ months
- Temporary Place of Assembly permit: Events that close a street: apply at least 2 weeks before; events over 1,000 attendees: at least 6 months before
- Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: May be obtained 90 days before the business start date
- Temporary Food Facility permit (vendors): Submit the one-time concessionaire application to the organizer at least 2 weeks before the event; get an annual permit at least two weeks before
Collect the paperwork with each application.
Ask vendors for their sales tax registration, business license, food permit and insurance certificate as required documents on your application form, so you can check them before you approve anyone. Booth fees, tickets and day-of check-in run from the same dashboard.
Selling at markets in San Francisco, CA?
The vendor license, sales tax and food permits above are yours to get before the event; the organizer will usually ask for copies with your application. On bzar you apply to markets and pay booth fees by card in one place, and keep your licenses, permits and insurance certificates on file to reuse on every application. Free for vendors. Join bzar free or read how to become a market vendor.
Where the sources are unclear.
- California sales tax is statewide through CDTFA; the seller's permit and operator rules apply in every California city. Confirm with CDTFA whether your event counts as a special event under Publication 111.
- The sf.gov Sell food at special events page says a food booth operating 7 days in a calendar year must get a San Francisco Business Registration Certificate (https://www.sf.gov/sell-food-at-special-events); the registration guide itself does not state a day threshold.
- The fee page mixes fiscal years: SFMTA, Entertainment Commission and DPH fees are for July 2026 to June 2027, and Fire Department fees run September 2025 to August 2026.
- Indoor temporary events and pop-ups follow a separate Office of Small Business guide (https://www.sf.gov/guide-hosting-temporary-events-and-pop-ups) that points to a pre-application form.
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to host a vendor market in San Francisco?
Special event street closure permit (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), with the Permit Center): Contact SFMTA early, submit the event intake form, then apply for the street closure permit. Food, alcohol, amplified sound, tents, stages, security and insurance each add requirements. Recreation and Park Department event permit (San Francisco Recreation and Park Department): City park and plaza events are permitted through the Recreation and Park Department rather than SFMTA. The Port and Treasure Island have separate permit processes for their property.
Do vendors need a license to sell at events in San Francisco?
San Francisco business registration (San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector and Office of Economic and Workforce Development): The city says all businesses operating in San Francisco must register with the City, even small ones. Businesses that sell retail products also register with CDTFA.
Who handles sales tax at a market in San Francisco?
Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): California requires a temporary seller's permit for anyone selling at a location for under 90 days, and each temporary sales location is registered with its own start and end dates. Registration is online through CDTFA. Seller information for the event operator (California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA)): Most sellers of new or used goods hold a seller's permit, and a seller with an existing permit still registers a sub-permit for the temporary location. Sellers give the event operator their business details and permit number in writing, and CDTFA offers form CDTFA-410-D for this. Occasional sellers and sellers with only exempt sales may not need a permit. For organizers: Under CDTFA Publication 111, operators of swap meets, flea markets and special events may not rent space to a seller until they verify the seller holds a valid seller's permit, unless an exemption applies. Operators collect each seller's business name, address, phone, ID, items sold and permit number in writing, keep the records at least four years, and give them to CDTFA within 30 days of a written request. The page warns of a penalty of up to $1,000 per seller for missing records.
Do food vendors need a separate permit in San Francisco?
Temporary Food Facility permit (vendors) (San Francisco Department of Public Health, Environmental Health): Vendors apply for a one-time permit by sending the concessionaire application to the event organizer, or get an annual permit valid through March 31 of the next year. Cottage food operators also need a Temporary Food Facility permit to sell at an event. Event sponsor Temporary Food Facility permit (San Francisco Department of Public Health): The sponsor applies for the event, and each vendor must be listed on the permit. Vendors with an existing annual permit pay no event fee but are still listed. A late fee applies to applications within 14 days of the event.
How far ahead should I apply in San Francisco?
Special event street closure permit: Reach out several months or more ahead depending on event size; the city says permit approvals can take 2 to 6+ months Temporary Place of Assembly permit: Events that close a street: apply at least 2 weeks before; events over 1,000 attendees: at least 6 months before Seller's permit or temporary seller's permit: May be obtained 90 days before the business start date Temporary Food Facility permit (vendors): Submit the one-time concessionaire application to the organizer at least 2 weeks before the event; get an annual permit at least two weeks before
Keep reading.
Sources.
This page summarizes official government sources and isn't legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and forms change; confirm with each agency before you apply.
Special events contact: Office of Small Business, SpecialEventSF@sfgov.org; SFMTA street events, SpecialEvents@sfmta.com
Every fact on this page comes from these official pages, checked on 2026-10-10. Details change; tell us at hello@bzar.app if something here is out of date.
- https://www.sf.gov/close-a-streets-for-an-outdoor-event
- https://www.sf.gov/fees-for-outdoor-special-event-permitting
- https://www.sf.gov/topics--event-permitting
- https://www.sf.gov/apply-for-a-fire-permit-special-event
- https://www.sf.gov/resource--2022--register-your-business
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/industry/temporary-sellers/
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/sellers-and-vendors.htm
- https://www.sf.gov/sell-food-at-special-events
- https://cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub111/
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