Annual applications for all vending sites including artisan, food truck, stands and bicycle wagons will open on Monday, March 3, 2025. *In the event of a storm on the 3rd, the applications will be delayed and will open on Tuesday, March 4th*.
Food Vending covers food service vehicles, stands and bicycle wagons selling food and non-alcoholic beverages on approved HRM property which requires a license. This section will cover what food service vehicles, stands and bicycle wagons are, and what is required to apply for a license.
Before applications open, we recommend completing one the following:
- If you have applied online in the past: Log in to the Customer Portal and verify all personal information is up to date, and that you’re able to log in.
- If this is the first time applying: Go to Applying for a License for step by step instructions for setting up the Customer Portal and Business Account. This page also provides details on how to apply for an application and links to the Vending pages.
Having these steps completed prior to application day will ensure a smooth application process since all applications are processed on a first come first served basis.
There will be two ways to apply:
- You can apply online (Note: payments can be made by VISA, Mastercard and American Express . A debit credit card will not be accepted by the online system)
Important: Please ensure you have your customer account and business account set up PRIOR to Monday, March 3rd so not to delay the chance at the location of choice. - Apply in person at Bayers Road Customer Service Centre (7071 Bayers Road, Halifax 1st floor) or at Alderney Customer Service Centre (40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth,1st floor) between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
5-Year Food Vending Tender Bid NOTICE (CLOSED UNTIL 2026):
Please be advised that the 2025 5-Year Food Vending Tender will be added to the Nova Scotia Tender website on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 8am. A list of the available sites for 2025 can be found below.
**Note: This is for the 5-year bids only, and not annual.
Persons interested in submitting a 5-year bid for a vendor location can submit an application on the Nova Scotia Tender Website between Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 8am and Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 4pm.
For more details, go to the Nova Scotia Tender website by clicking here and enter Tender ID 2024-0631. A list of the available sites for 2025 can be found below.
To see where the locations are, go to the Map.
- What is a Food Service Vehicle?
- Food Service Vehicle means any vehicle, as defined in the Motor Vehicle Act, used for the display, storing, transportation, or sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages by a vendor.
- Your vehicle must be licensed and registered pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Act Maximum size for a Food Service Vehicle is seven (7) metres in length Food Service Vehicles sites are located on the street.
- What is a Food Stand?
- Food Stand means any table, showcase, bench, rack, pushcart, wagon or any other wheeled vehicle or device which is used:
- for the display, storage, transportation or sale of food, non-alcoholic beverages or other merchandise by a vendor
- may be moved without the assistance of a motor
- is not required to be licensed and registered pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Act
- Maximum size for a Food Stand is two (2) metres in length, and one (1) metre width excluding the wheel base
- Food Stands sites are located on the sidewalk
- Food Stand means any table, showcase, bench, rack, pushcart, wagon or any other wheeled vehicle or device which is used:
- What is a Bicycle Wagon?
- A Bicycle Wagon means a bicycle vehicle propelled by human power used for vending
- A licensed Bicycle Wagon can stop to vend at any location for no longer than 10 minutes
- Maximum size for a Bicycle Wagon is two (2) metres in length, and one (1) metre width excluding the wheel base
- Where would I find a copy of the Vending on Municipal Land Bylaw C-501?
The applicant/license holder shall be familiar with and abide by all vending regulations in accordance with By-Law C-501. In accordance with Section 39 of By-Law C-501. A site license may not be permitted to operate during a Festival or Special Event approved by the HRM.
- List of Food Service Vehicle sites
The following is a list of food service vehicle sites, per the Vending Bylaw C-501.
- Site 1: Spring Garden Road, North Side, 32 metres West of Grafton Street - Occupied
- Site 2: Spring Garden Road, North Side, 32.5 metres East of Brunswick Street - Occupied
- Site 3: Grafton Street, West Side, 25 metres North of Spring Garden Road - Available
- Site 4: Argyle Street, East Side, 18 metres South of Carmichael Street - Not Available
- Site 5: Cathedral Lane, West Side, 28 metres South of Spring Garden Road - Not Available
- Site 6: Argyle Street, East Side, 20 metres North of Carmichael Street - Not Available
- Site 8: Purdys Lane, North side of the north loop of the crescent, 27 metres East of Upper Water Street - Available
- Site 9: Waterfront Drive, East side, 35 metres North of driveway to Park Parking Lot - Occupied
- Site 10: Dingle Road, in the Sir Sandford Fleming Park Parking Lot - Occupied
- Site 11: Point Pleasant Park – Parking Lot at Black Rock Beach - Occupied
- Site 12: Agricola Street, East Side, 20 metres South of Charles Street - Available
The 2025 5-Year Food Vending Tender will be added to the Nova Scotia Tender website on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 8am. A list of the available sites for 2025 can be found below.
**Note: This is for the 5-year bids only, and not annual. Annual applications for sites will open on Monday, March 3, 2025.
5-Year Food Vending Tender Bid NOTICE:
Persons interested in submitting a 5-year bid for a vendor location can submit an application on the Nova Scotia Tender Website between Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 8am and Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 4pm.
For more details, go to the Nova Scotia Tender website by clicking here and enter Tender ID 2024-0631. A list of the available sites for 2025 can be found below.
- List of Food Stand sites
The following is a list of food stand sites, per the Vending Bylaw C-501
- Site 1: Spring Garden Road, North Side, 35 metres West of Grafton Street - Occupied
- Site 2: Spring Garden Road, North Side, 30.5 metres East of Brunswick Street - Occupied
- Site 4: Grafton Street, West Side, 56.5 metres North of Spring Garden Road - Occupied
- Site 7: Argyle Street, East Side, 30 metres South of Carmichael Street - Available
- Site 8: Argyle Street, East Side, 60 metres South of Carmichael Street - Available
- Site 9: George Street, South Side, 80 metres East of Lower Water Street - Relocated temporarily to Ferry Terminal - Occupied
- Site 10: University Avenue, South Side, 43 metres West of Seymour Street - Occupied
- Site 11: On the Halifax North Common, Cunard Street, South Side, 48 metres East of Princess Place - Occupied
- Site 12: On the Halifax Central Common, 5816 Cogswell Street, 199 metres East of Bell Road - Occupied
The 2025 5-Year Food Vending Tender will be added to the Nova Scotia Tender website on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 8am. A list of the available sites for 2025 can be found below.
**Note: This is for the 5-year bids only, and not annual. Annual applications for sites will open on Monday, March 3, 2025.
5-Year Food Vending Tender Bid NOTICE:
Persons interested in submitting a 5-year bid for a vendor location can submit an application on the Nova Scotia Tender Website between Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 8am and Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 4pm.
For more details, go to the Nova Scotia Tender website by clicking here and enter Tender ID 2024-0631. A list of the available sites for 2025 can be found below.
| Vending Type | Annual License Fee |
|---|---|
| Vending Type | Annual License Fee |
| Food Service Vehicle | $1120 |
| Food Stand | $320 |
| Bicycle wagon | $190 |
- How do I apply for a Food Service Vehicle Vending license?
To apply for a food service vehicle license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Criminal Record Report (dated within 30 days of the date of application)
- Photograph of the food service vehicle, food stand or bicycle wagon
- Description of the food service vehicle
- Length, including all attachments (generators, trailer hitch, etc)
- Copy of safety inspection certificate
- Copy of vehicle registration permit
- Copy of applicant's driver's license
- Identify location of the serving counter being used on the food service vehicle (As per Section of 31(1)(l) of the Vending By-law C-501 no person shall vend from a motor vehicle at other than the sidewalk side of the vehicle)
- Written consent from the owner (if you are not the owner of the vehicle or stand)
- Copy of valid Health Permit
- Proof of insurance for $2,000,000 coverage and naming Halifax Regional Municipality (spelled out) as additionally insured
- How do I apply for a Food Stand or bicycle wagon Vending license?
To apply for a food stand license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Criminal Record Report (dated within 30 days of the date of application)
- Photograph of the food service vehicle, food stand or bicycle wagon
- Description of the food stand or bicycle wagon
- Length and width of food stand excluding the wheel base (As per Section 33 Maximum Size of Stands, Bicycle Wagons and Food Service Vehicles of the Vending By-law C-501)
- Copy of safety inspection certificate for the trailer or food stand
- Copy of vehicle registration permit for the trailer or food stand
- Identify location of the serving counter being used on the food service vehicle (As per Section of 31(1)(l) of the Vending By-law C-501 no person shall vend from a motor vehicle at other than the sidewalk side of the vehicle)
- Written consent from the owner (if you are not the owner of the stand)
- Copy of valid Health Permit
- Proof of insurance for $2,000,000 coverage and naming Halifax Regional Municipality (spelled out) as additionally insured
- Where can I submit my food vending application?
Once the 5-year bids open, the available food truck and stand sites will be posted on the Nova Scotia tender website which can be bid on.
Regular annual applications can be requested as of Monday, March 3rd by one of these methods:
You can apply online or at a Municipal Customer Service Centre. To apply online you'll need a customer portal account. Not sure how to do that? View the job aide for setting up your customer portal account.
- Q&A Section
Can more than one person apply for one location to share?
- This can be done by completing a Joint application. If two or more persons intend to share a site, each person must provide a separate vending License Application Form with the submission.
Does my food service vehicle, food stand or bicycle wagon require an inspection?
- Once your vending application has been approved, you will be contacted to schedule an inspection of your food service vehicle, food stand or bicycle wagon. Inspections are completed at 7 Mellor Avenue, Dartmouth. Please bring your food service vehicle, food stand or bicycle wagon to the back of the building, near the ramp.
What can I expect when my Food Service Vehicle is inspected?
- During the inspection at 7 Mellor Avenue, fire extinguishers are checked, propane and electrical installations will also be checked to see they were approved by the appropriate authorities as required.
- Furthermore, during the inspection staff will check for the following items:
- Length and width of vehicle or stand will be measured to ensure it is not greater than the maximum lengths
- A metal exhaust hood over the fryers/grill with all seams of the hood system having a continuous weld
- A flip-up roof panel above the hood or two (2) turbines for ventilation/removal of the grease-laden vapors
- A fixed pipe extinguishing system with posted operating instructions and a tag indicating it has been inspected within the last six (6) months
- A type "K" portable fire extinguisher for deep fryers
- A multi-purpose dry chemical or powder extinguisher for fire of other classes (5 lbs. ABC type will suffice)
- Propane system must have a "green tag" attached as per Sec 31 NS Fuel Safety Regulations
- Umbrella, awnings or similar items must be at least 2 meters above the level of the sidewalk
- Displayed valid Nova Scotia Health Permit
- All equipment is secured to prevent movement during transit
- Compressors, auxiliary engines, generators, batteries, propane tanks, etc. are installed so as to be accessible from the exterior of the vehicle/cart
- Accessible three (3) tier waste system
Who should I contact for gas, propane and electrical installation for my food service vehicle and food stand?
- For propane and gas permits contact Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education. In the case of electrical wiring, contact Nova Scotia Power for their permit requirements and inspections.
Does a person need a food vending license from the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) License Office, if a person sells food on private property?
- The vending by-law C-501 only issues vending licenses for specific sites on municipal land.