If you want to sell food from a food service vehicle or food stand, at a specific site on municipal land, you need to have a food vending licence. Availability of municipal sites will vary from year to year.
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
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/licence 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 licence 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, pending availability.
- Spring Garden Road, North Side, 32 metres West of Grafton Street
- Spring Garden Road, North Side, 32.5 metres East of Brunswick Street
- Grafton Street, West Side, 25 metres North of Spring Garden Road
- Argyle Street, East Side, 18 metres South of Carmichael Street
- Cathedral Lane, West Side, 28 metres South of Spring Garden Road
- Argyle Street, East Side, 20 metres North of Carmichael Street
- Purdys Lane, North side of the north loop of the crescent, 27 metres East of Upper Water Street
- Waterfront Drive, East side, 35 metres North of driveway to Park Parking Lot
- Dingle Road, in the Sir Sandford Fleming Park Parking Lot
- Point Pleasant Park – Parking Lot at Black Rock Beach
- Agricola Street, East Side, 20 metres South of Charles Street
Note: Once a year, Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will put forward a list of available food service vehicle sites on the Nova Scotia tender website. If you are unable to participate in the tender process, you can still apply for an annual vending licence, from any of the remaining food service vehicle sites, on first come first service basis.
List of Food Stand sites
The following is a list of food stand sites, pending availability
- Spring Garden Road, North Side, 35 metres West of Grafton Street
- Spring Garden Road, North Side, 30.5 metres East of Brunswick Street
- Grafton Street, West Side, 56.5 metres North of Spring Garden Road
- Argyle Street, East Side, 30 metres South of Carmichael Street
- Argyle Street, East Side, 60 metres South of Carmichael Street
- George Street, South Side, 80 metres East of Lower Water Street
- University Avenue, South Side, 43 metres West of Seymour Street
- On the Halifax North Common, Cunard Street, South Side, 48 metres East of Princess Place
- On the Halifax Central Common, 5816 Cogswell Street, 199 metres East of Bell Road
Note: Once a year, Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will put forward a list of available food stand sites on the Nova Scotia tender website. If you are unable to participate in the tender process, you can still apply for an annual vending licence, from any of the remaining food stand sites, on first come first service basis.
| Vending Type | Annual Licence Fee |
| Vending Type | Annual Licence Fee |
| Food Service Vehicle | $915 |
| Food Stand | $230 |
| Bicycle wagon | $120 |
What do I need to apply for a Food Service Vehicle & Food Stand Vending license?
To apply for a food service vehicle or 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 foodservice vehicle, food stand or bicycle wagon
- 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
Where can I submit my vending application?
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.
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 foodservice vehicle, food stand or bicycle wagon. Inspections are completed at 7 Mellor Avenue, Dartmouth. Please bring your foodservice 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who should I contact for gas, propane and electrical installation for my food service vehicle and food stand?
A: 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.
Q: Does a person need a food vending licence from the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) License Office, if a person sells food on private property?
A: The vending by-law C-501 only issues vending licenses for specific sites on municipal land.