Berkeley has a separate Health Department from Alameda County.

You’ll need to apply for a seller’s permit here

You’ll need to contact the Environmental Health Division at (510) 981-5310. You can read more information about their requirements here.

Mobile Truck Vendors:
In Berkeley you’ll need a Mobile Catering Permit to sell food from public property legally out of a truck. There are only 5 spots for food vending, this means that the only way to become a new vendor is to buy the spot from an existing vendor as the city does not create new spaces. The application process cycles ever 5 years and the next one will be in 2012. Annual Health Permits must be paid in full every year to obtain a valid Health Permit for operation. Applications must be received in Customer Service or postmarked by October 1, 2007. Application fee is $150, non-refundable. Applicants will be notified of approvals for new food vending licenses by October 31, 2012.

IF APPROVED for food vending sites: initial annual cost for fees for an approved vendor:

1. annual food vending license fee: $240.00
2. New Business License Tax: $51.00
3. New Business License Registration fee: $25.00
4. Site Allocation fee (current locations): $1750.00 may be paid quarterly
5. Annual Health Permit: $575.00 food prep inside cart
6. Annual Health Permit: $331.00 if no food prep inside cart
7. Commissary/Approval Inspections: Approval letter from Commissary owner
8. Refuse Service: 13 gallons 5 days/wk: $129.00 ($225 if 20 gallons; this is quarterly amount)

CONTINUAL Annual costs for fees for an approved vendors:

1. Annual food vending license fee: $240.00
2. Business License Tax: $.00120 tax = rate X prior year’s gross receipts
3. Site Allocation fees (current locations): $1750.00 may be paid quarterly
4. Annual Health Permit
5. Additional Health inspections: $149.00 rate/hour, when follow-up is required.
6. Commissary/Approval health inspection
7. Refuse Service: 13 gallons 5 days/wk: $158.13 ($243.30 if 20 gallons; this is quarterly amount)