Unpermitted Food Vendor (UPV)

What is an Unpermitted Food Vendor (UPV)?

Unpermitted food vendors are people who are selling/pedaling food on a cart, table, back of the car trunk, or from their home without a permit to operate from the Department of Environmental Health. The California Retail Food Code Section 114387 requires that all individuals who provide food to the public obtain a permit to operate.

What We Do

Public Health responds to complaints about unpermitted street food in Sacramento County.

Areas We Serve

Public Health is responsible for enforcing the California Retail Food Code in all of Sacramento County.

Safe Food Handling Requirements and Guidelines

All sidewalk vendors that sell perishable food must have a Health Permit before lawfully and safely beginning their vending.

Provide hand washing facilities and supplies.
Use approved heating units.
Keep foods hot, at or above 135°F.
Use approved refrigeration.
Keep foods cold, at or below 41°F.
Provide sneeze guard barriers to protect food from contamination.
Provide overhead protection.
Buy all food from approved sources.

Food Safety Training and How to Get a Green Placard Training Video.

Food Safety Facts

Perishable foods are those foods that require temperature control to limit the growth of disease causing bacteria.

Disease causing bacteria can cause foodborne illness.

Example of perishable foods: eggs, dairy, fish, poultry, meat, cooked grains, vegetables, and cut fruit.

Maintaining foods at the proper temperature prevents the rapid growth of bacteria that can make you sick.

Hand washing is important to prevent the spread of illness.

The improper handling of all foods can lead to symptoms like: diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, hospitalization & death.

Where do UPV’s sell?

From the trunk of a car
On the street corners/parking lot with a table set up
From their homes; in their dining room, garage, or backyard (i.e. underground dining)
Outside stadiums after a sporting event, concert, or show
Apartment complexes
Large shopping parking lots
Outside schools

How to Apply for Mobile Food Facility (MFF) or Cottage Food Permit

Contact Us

Report a Problem

To report unpermitted street food, contact 311. It is helpful to be able to report details about the problem, such as exact location of the food sales, day and times of operation, and a description of what the vendor is doing.

Monday ‐ Friday
8:00am ‐ 5:00pm

Tel: 916‐875‐8484

Email: EMDinfo@Saccounty.gov

Environmental Management