Yes, a sidewalk vendor must obtain a Sidewalk Vending Permit prior to operating. As part of the Sidewalk Vending Permit application process, vendors must also obtain a City of San Diego Business Tax Certificate, California Seller’s Permit, and vendors selling food must also obtain a San Diego County Health Permit and Food Handler Card.

The Sidewalk Vending Permit requirement does not apply to individuals engaged in artistic performances, free speech, political or petitioning activities, or engaged solely in vending items constituting expressive activity protected by the First Amendment and any vendor of services.

The Sidewalk Vending Permit is valid for a one (1) year period, beginning from the date of permit issuance. A Sidewalk Vending Permit renewal will be issued along with the Business Tax renewal 30 days before the expiration of the Sidewalk Vending Permit.

Vendors found to operating without a current Sidewalk Vending Permit will be forced to cease vending and be subject to fines up to $1,000.00.

No, any sale, assignment, or transfer of a Sidewalk Vending Permit is prohibited.

Sidewalk Vending Permit applications will be processed in-person and by appointment only. Processing of the application will occur at the City Treasurer’s office located at 1200 Third Ave, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92101. To schedule an appointment, please email TRSPDPermits@sandiego.gov or call 619-615-1500.

The following definitions apply to sidewalk vending:

• Roaming Sidewalk Vendor - A sidewalk vendor who moves from place to place and stops only to complete a transaction.
• Stationary Sidewalk Vendor – Sidewalk vendor who vends from a fixed location.

Issued Sidewalk Vending Permit allows permit holder to conduct both roaming and stationary activities.

The annual Sidewalk Vending Permit Fee is $38.00.  The City of San Diego also requires the following:

• Annual Business Tax Certificate - $34.00 for businesses with 12 or less employees or $125.00 + $5.00 for businesses with greater than 12 employees

• SB 1186 State Mandate Fee - $4.00

• Photo ID - $16.00

Businesses based within a Business Improvement District (BID) may be subject to additional fees. 

No. Sidewalk Vendors shall not sell or offer to sell services, or engage in or offer to engage in any type of rental activity, including the rental of any goods or services.

Services are activities involving the performance of work for others or the provision of intangible items that cannot be returned once they are provided. Examples include hair braiding, face painting, massage, yoga, fortune telling, tattooing and dog training.

In order to obtain a sidewalk vending permit to sell food or prepacked food, you must first obtain a Mobile Food Facility permit for food sales from the County of San Diego's Department of Environmental Health and Quality.  Any other permit type will not be accepted as part of the sidewalk vendor application process.

Vendors operating a compact mobile food operation which has 25 square feet or less of display area from which only prepacked, non-refrigerated food, or whole uncooked produce is sold, is exempt from obtaining a Mobile Food Facility Permit.

Contact the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Food and Housing Division via email at fhdcomplaints@sdcounty.ca.gov or by phone at 858-505-6903.

Contact City of San Diego Code Enforcement for areas outside of parks by calling 619-533-6487. For areas within parks, email AskParks@sandiego.gov.