Mobile Vending Permit

To vend food or merchandise from the public right of way, private property, or city-owned property you must obtain a Special Activity Mobile Vending Permit.

New Online Application Process for City of Oakland Permits

The City of Oakland has transitioned its application process to an online platform.

Mobile Vending applications are now available for food and merchandise vendors.

To begin, you must create an Accela account. Click here to get started

For step-by-step guidance, please refer to our comprehensive guide(PDF, 3MB).

Apply for a Permit

After you have created an Accela account, you can now apply for a permit to vend food or merchandise from the public right of way, private property, or city-owned property.

You will log in to your Accela account, and complete the application for a Mobile Vending Permit.  For step-by-step assistance, please refer to our comprehensive guide(PDF, 3MB)  - starting on page 9.

Before you start you will need to have the items ready to upload to the system:

• Copy of your current Health Certificate
• Copy of a current Fire Inspection (or waiver notice from the Fire Prevention Bureau)
• Copy of City of Oakland Business Tax Certificate
• Copy of DMV Registration (Trucks & Trailers only)
• Copy of Certificate of Insurance and Endorsement(PDF, 203KB)
• Restroom Authorization Letter (for those who remain at location for more than 30 consecutive minutes)

Once you have completed the application and uploaded the necessary documents, staff will review the application and contact you regarding the status of your application, or issue your permit.

Group Site Mobile Food Vending Applications

Fees

• Food Truck, Trailers, Large Push Carts (Motorized), Merchandise - $497 - Annual Permit
• Food Truck, Trailers, Large Push Carts (Motorized), Merchandise - $248.00 - Semi-Annual Permit (182 consecutive days)
• Push Cart - (non-motorized sidewalk vendor) - $412.00 - Annual Permit
• Push Cart - (non-motorized sidewalk vendor) - $213.00 - Semi- Annual Permit (182 consecutive days)
• Group Site - $1,000.00 application fee; $1,291.00 - Annual Permit

Permitted Food Vending Area Map

Educational Materials

Mobile Food Vending

• Food Vendor - English(PDF, 784KB)
• Food Vendor - Spanish(PDF, 723KB)
• Food Vendor - Chinese(PDF, 946KB)

Mobile Merchandise Vending

• Merchandise Vendor - English(PDF, 746KB)
• Merchandise Vendor - Spanish(PDF, 702KB)
• Merchandise Vendor - Chinese(PDF, 857KB)

Additional Resources

• Sample of Certificate of Insurance and Endorsement Page
• Sidewalk Vendor Administrative Regulations(PDF, 868KB)
• Non-Sidewalk Administrative Regulations(PDF, 1MB)
• SB-946 - Sidewalk Vendors
• SB-972 - California Retail Food

Need information on obtaining an Alameda County Health Permit?

Need information on obtaining a City of Oakland Business Tax Certificate?

Need to schedule a fire inspection with the Fire Prevention Bureau? Please complete the Intake Request form(PDF, 363KB) and email to: FPBreceptionist@oaklandca.gov

Interested in vending on City-Owned Property?