If you want to sell food or handmade crafts anywhere in the municipality, you need to have a vendor’s licence.
There are three different kinds of vendor’s licences in Halifax:
1. Food service vehicle or stand site licence.
This is a licence to vend food products at a specific site.
- A 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.
- A stand is 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 vendor.
2. Bicycle wagon licence, which allows you to vend from a non-motorized bicycle wagon.
3. Artisan stand licence.
This is a licence to vend handmade crafts at a specific site. For the purposes of this licence, an artisan means a:
- painter
- photographer
- silversmith
- weaver
- jeweller
- candle maker
- leather worker
- another like artisan who resides in Nova Scotia and manufactures their own products or vends handmade products made within Nova Scotia
What do I need to apply?
Food service licence
To apply for a food service licence (both types listed above) in Halifax, you will need to provide the following documents along with your application form:
- Criminal Record Report (dated within 30 days of the date of application)
- photograph of the stand, mobile canteen, or bicycle wagon
- a copy of your photo identification
- 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 naming Halifax Regional Municipality as additionally insured
Artisan Stand licence
To apply for an artisan stand licence, you need to provide the follow documents with your application form:
- several photographs of the crafts if more than one type of craft being sold
- a copy of your photo identification
- the price list for all items sold
- a statement to the effect that the applicant made or manufactured the handcraft, or the handcrafts are made within Nova Scotia
| Vending type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Food service vehicle | $915 |
| Bicycle wagon | $120 |
| Stand | $230 |
| Artisans and Crafts People- Spring Garden Road | $35 |
| Artisans and Crafts People-Waterfront (Sackville Landing and Nathan Green) | $250 |
Ready to apply?
If you are ready to apply, complete the vending application [PDF] and return it with all supporting documentation to a Municipal Customer Service Centre.
Service hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, closed on statutory holidays.
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.