Food Vending License

Please be advised, the 2024 5-Year Food Vendor Bids are closed and have been awarded.

The remaining sites noted as 'Available' will be open for application as of Friday, March 1, 2024 at 8:30am on a first come, first served basis.

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.

The application for Food Trucks, Stands and wagons will open at 8:30am on Friday, March 1st, 2024. There will be two ways to apply:

1. 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 Friday, March 1st so not to delay the chance at the location of choice.
2. 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.

Note: The application for the annual license will not be available until March 1st, 2024.

To see where the locations are, go to the Map.

• 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.

• 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
  • 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

  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- Occupied
  • Site 4:Argyle Street, East Side, 18 metres South of Carmichael Street- Not in Use
  • Site 5:Cathedral Lane, West Side, 28 metres South of Spring Garden Road- Not in Use
  • Site 6:Argyle Street, East Side, 20 metres North of Carmichael Street- Not in Use
  • 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

  Note: Once a year (December timeframe) Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will put forward a list of available food service vehicle sites on the Nova Scotia tender website which can be bid on for 5-year vendor licenses. If you are unable to participate in the tender process, you can still apply for an annual vending license, from any of the remaining food service vehicle sites once the 5-year locations are awarded, on first come first service basis.

  The Bid Process and application can be found here once it is open: https://halifax.bidsandtenders.ca/Module/Tenders/en
  The Tender name will be: Multi-Year Food Vending Licenses
  This will close as of midnight (11:59pm) on Friday, January 5th, 2024. No applications for the 5-year licenses will be accepted after that date.

  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 - Available
  • Site 12:On the Halifax Central Common, 5816 Cogswell Street, 199 metres East of Bell Road- Occupied

  Note: Once a year (December timeframe) Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will put forward a list of available food stand sites on the Nova Scotia tender website which can be bid on for 5-year vendor licenses. If you are unable to participate in the tender process, you can still apply for an annual vending license, from any of the remaining food stand sites once the 5-year locations are awarded, on first come first served basis.

  The Bid Process and application can be found here once it is open: https://halifax.bidsandtenders.ca/Module/Tenders/en
  The Tender name will be: Multi-Year Food Vending Licenses
  This will close as of midnight (11:59pm) on Friday, January 5th, 2024. No applications for the 5-year licenses will be accepted after that date.

  How much does a vendor's license cost

  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)

    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 theVending By-law C-501)

      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 Friday, March 1st 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.