Form SW1, the Sidewalk Vendor Application Supplement, is a City of Sacramento form issued by the Finance Department, Revenue Division, that sidewalk vendors attach to their Special Business Permit application. It describes your cart, how and where you plan to operate, and confirms that you know the city's sidewalk vending rules. It is one of the forms in the City's business permit materials, alongside the general Business Operations Tax (BOT) Certificate that people searching for a Sacramento business license are usually looking for. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the City publishes the original at the official source link.
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What is SW1?
Form SW1, Sidewalk Vendor Application Supplement, is the City of Sacramento form on which a sidewalk vendor describes the cart, the planned operation and the vending location, and acknowledges the city's sidewalk vending rules. The form itself says to attach it to your Special Business Permit application.
The City of Sacramento Finance Department, Revenue Division, issues it; the Revenue Division's address and phone number are printed in the footer. The form is built in sections:
- Section One: Business Information: the company or applicant name.
- Section Two: Cart Information: a description and size of the cart, whether you sell food, and a description of the items sold.
- Section Three: Operation Information: roaming, stationary or temporary location, days and hours, late night vending and, for stationary applicants only, details of the vending site.
- Section Four: Acknowledgment of Rules and Regulation: statements you initial, including familiarity with Sacramento City Code Chapter 5.90, which regulates Sidewalk Vending.
- Section Five: Demographic Information (optional).
- Section Seven: Agreement and Signature.
The supplement is not a permit and is not filed on its own. The City's page explains that anyone engaged in business in Sacramento needs a valid Business Operations Tax (BOT) Certificate, and that some types of businesses also need a special business permit, which the Revenue Division issues under Title 5 of the city code. Sidewalk vending is one of those permit types, and this form is the vending-specific attachment to that application.
Who needs to file SW1?
Sidewalk vendors applying for a Special Business Permit in the City of Sacramento attach Form SW1 to that application. The form asks for details of the cart and of how you will operate, so it applies to roaming vendors, stationary vendors and vendors at a temporary location alike.
- Stationary vending applicants also complete the block marked "Stationary vending applicants only": vending address or nearest address, location description, whether the site is a public park, the total width of the sidewalk or path and the sidewalk remaining with the cart present. They must add a photo or drawing of the vending site.
- Vendors who sell food answer the food questions in Section Two, including the Sac Co Health Cert # (food only) and whether the certificate is attached.
- Vendors who want to vend late at night (10 PM-2:30 AM) mark that choice and must respect the form's 600-foot limit from a permitted entertainment venue or liquor store.
The form does not say who may sign on an applicant's behalf; it has a single applicant signature line. Section Five, the demographic questions, is marked optional.
When to file SW1
Complete Form SW1 when you complete your Special Business Permit application for sidewalk vending, because the form says to attach it to that application. It prints no separate due date, so it is submitted whenever the permit application is submitted.
Have the information ready before you start: the cart dimensions (length by width by height), the days and hours you plan to operate and, if you will be stationary, the vending address or nearest address and the sidewalk measurements. Vendors selling food also need their Sac Co Health certificate number. For fees, processing and renewal of the permit itself, check the City's Business Permits and Taxes page or call the Revenue Division at (916) 808-8500.
Documents you need
- Special Business Permit application: Form SW1 must be attached to it, as the form states.
- Photo or drawing of the vending site showing where the cart will be located during vending hours: required with every stationary permit application.
- Sac Co Health certificate (certificate number on the form): for vendors selling food; the form asks whether the certificate is attached.
How to fill out SW1
Enter the applicant name
In Section One, write the company or applicant name.
Describe your cart
In Section Two, enter the description of the cart and its size as length x width x height (LxWxH).
Answer the food questions
Mark YES or NO for Selling Food. If you sell food, enter your Sac Co Health Cert # and mark whether the certificate is attached.
List the items you sell
Under Description of Items Sold, describe what you will sell from the cart.
Choose how you will operate
In Section Three, check Roaming, Stationary or Temporary Location, then enter the days and hours of planned operation.
Answer late night vending
Mark YES or NO for late night vending (10 PM-2:30 AM). You may not operate late night within 600 feet of a permitted entertainment venue or liquor store.
Complete the stationary section
Stationary applicants only: enter the vending address (or nearest address), a location description, whether it is a public park, the total width of the sidewalk or path and the sidewalk remaining with the cart present. Prepare a photo or drawing of the site.
Initial the acknowledgments
In Section Four, initial each statement to confirm you are familiar with Chapter 5.90, have obtained insurance, understand the 300-foot special event and 600-foot late night rules, and know the city and state laws that apply.
Add optional demographic answers
Section Five is optional. Check the boxes for gender, age, ethnicity and education only if you choose to answer.
Sign, review and download the PDF
Read the Section Seven certification, then sign and date it. Check every section, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and attach it to your Special Business Permit application as described under How to submit.
How to submit SW1
Form SW1 names no channel of its own: you attach it to your Special Business Permit application and submit the two together through the City of Sacramento Revenue Division.
- Mail: City of Sacramento, Revenue Division, 915 I Street, Room 1201, Sacramento, CA 95814.
- Public counter: the Revenue Division public counter is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
- Phone and email: (916) 808-8500, Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; [email protected].
Include everything the form calls for: the signed supplement, the photo or drawing of the vending site if you apply for a stationary permit, and the health certificate if you sell food. A fee applies to the permit; the City's page points to its Permits Fee Schedule for current amounts and says it accepts checks or money orders by mail or in person, ACH where accepted, and credit cards, which will carry a service fee. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the City's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting Form SW1 by itself instead of attaching it to the Special Business Permit application.
- Applying for a stationary permit without a photo or drawing of the vending site and the cart's location during vending hours.
- Selling food but leaving the Sac Co Health certificate number blank or not attaching the certificate.
- Skipping the initials in Section Four, which acknowledge Chapter 5.90, insurance, the 300-foot special event rule, the 600-foot late night rule and city and state laws.
- Planning late night vending (10 PM-2:30 AM) within 600 feet of a permitted entertainment venue or liquor store, which the form prohibits.
- Expecting to operate during a permitted special event or outdoor market within 300 feet of your vending location; the form says you cannot vend during the event hours.
- Leaving the applicant signature or date blank in Section Seven.
- Giving false or misleading answers: the certification says any such answer will result in denial or revocation of a permit.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form SW1 in Sacramento?
Form SW1 is the Sidewalk Vendor Application Supplement from the City of Sacramento Revenue Division. It collects details about your cart, your operation and the vending site, and it is attached to your Special Business Permit application for sidewalk vending.
Is Form SW1 a Sacramento business license?
No. It is a supplement attached to a Special Business Permit application. The City's page says anyone engaged in business in Sacramento needs a valid Business Operations Tax (BOT) Certificate, and some businesses also need a special business permit.
Can I submit Form SW1 on its own?
No. The form says to attach it to your Special Business Permit application, and it has no separate address or deadline. Submit both together to the Revenue Division, 915 I Street, Room 1201, Sacramento, CA 95814.
What do I attach to a stationary sidewalk vending application?
A photo or drawing of the vending site that shows where the cart will be located during vending hours. The form requires it with all stationary permit applications. Food vendors also attach their Sac Co Health certificate.
Can I vend late at night in Sacramento?
The form has a late night vending option for 10 PM-2:30 AM, but you may not operate late night within 600 feet of a permitted entertainment venue or liquor store. You initial a statement acknowledging this in Section Four.
Do I have to answer the demographic questions on Form SW1?
No. Section Five, Demographic Information, is marked optional. It asks about gender, age range, ethnicity and education; the rest of the form still needs to be completed and signed.
Is there a fee for sidewalk vending in Sacramento?
Yes, the City lists fees for sidewalk vending permits, but Form SW1 itself prints none. Check the City's Permits Fee Schedule or call the Revenue Division at (916) 808-8500 for current amounts and payment options.
Can I fill out Form SW1 online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the form to the City; you attach it to your permit application and use the City's channels.
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