Produce & Flower Display Information

Prior to 1988 the City prohibited business owners from using the sidewalk in front of their store for the display of merchandise.  However, in an effort to encourage and support small business and enliven the sidewalk space, City Council amended the Street Vending By-Law to allow businesses to display produce, plants and flowers on the sidewalk. The program to date has been a huge success as hundreds of small businesses over the years have had the ability to advertise their merchandise in an effective, eye-catching manner.  The Produce & Flower Display Program is administered by Streets Administration Branch in the Engineering Department. So, if you are the owner of a business and would like to have a display of produce or flowers on the sidewalk a Permit is required. The permit year is from July 1 through June 30th and fees are based on the amount of space you would like to occupy.  For full program details follow.

Procedures to Apply for a Permit

1. Apply for a Business Licence through the Permit & Licensing Department in person at City Hall 453 W 12th Avenue (East Wing).  If your business is a Limited Company or Incorporated or a Corporation, please let the Licensing Department know when applying.  You will need a licence in one of the following categories to obtain a Produce\Flower Display Permit: Limited Food Service Establishment, Restaurant Class, Retail Dealer – Food, Grocery or Market Outlet.
2. After applying for a Business Licence the Owner will complete the “Produce\Flower Display Application” in full and sign the reverse. You may either hand deliver or mail the original copy and completed package to the Program Coordinator, Engineering Services, Crossroads Building, 320 – 507 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 0B4.  Please review the attached requirements and submit a drawing of your plans for the display appearance including dimensions prior to having anything constructed. Displays must be approved and conform to the City’s requirements.  Once the original application is received by the Coordinator, the approval process begins.
3. Contact your insurance broker\agent and advise them you are applying for a permit to display produce\flowers on the City’s sidewalk. Coverage must meet the City of Vancouver requirements including an expiry date of June 30th of the following year.
4. The Coordinator may conduct a site inspection which could involve taking measurements and pictures to determine whether your business meets all requirements. Marking devices may be installed when deemed necessary by City Staff to designate the permit area.
5. Your permit fees may be collected at the time of the inspection or you may receive a bill in the mail.  If you wish to mail your payment, please enclose the invoice with a business cheque made payable to “The City of Vancouver” to the attention of the Coordinator. You may also settle your account in person by Cash, Debit or Credit Card on the 5th floor @ 507 W Broadway.
6. Once approval has been granted the Permit will be mailed to the business address.  Permits must be posted at the location the permit is issued to and in view of the public.
7. The Permit and fees are non-transferable and non-refundable.  If you sell your business part way through the year, any permit fees paid will not be refunded.  Please inform the new owner that the permit issued to your business is immediately cancelled.  The new owner must apply for a Business Licence; make application for a permit and insurance in their own business name.

Insurance Coverage:

You may arrange suitable coverage through the broker of your choosing and your agent\broker or insurance provider will be required to complete and sign the “City of Vancouver Certificate of Liability Insurance for Produce & Flower Displays”.  Your Commercial General Liability (or an equivalent) coverage must meet the minimum requirements including an inclusive limit of $2,000,000 P.L. and P.D., (Public Liability & Property Damage), Cross Liability Clause and the City of Vancouver named as an additional insured. Please note that you are not required to use any particular insurance provider.  Owners must determine whether the insurance policy offers adequate protection for their business needs.  The City makes no representation and assumes no liability in that regard. A permit will not be granted until satisfactory proof of insurance has been received and approved.  Your broker\agent may contact our Clerical Support person who deals with insurance related inquiries at 604-829-2071.

2011 - 2012 Fees:  

All permit fees are non-refundable and any outstanding charges incurred during the year must be settled before a permit will be issued.  Late fees and\or interest charges at the current rate will be applied on all outstanding balances.

Permit Fee per Square Foot                           $4.27     + HST

Minimum Fee per Display                            $119.71     + $14.37 HST = $134.08  

Impound Charges\Fees                              $100.00 <> $300.00 per Impound        

NSF Charge for all Returned Cheques         $35.00  

Information on Building Display Units 

1. Displays must be constructed a minimum of 45.7cm (6 inches) from the ground and have a maximum height of 1.22m (4 ft). 
2. Any stands\carts or displays must be pre-approved and constructed according to City of Vancouver, Engineering Department specifications as attached. All displays must have locking wheels and have surfaces that are easily maintained for cleanliness. No cardboard or boxes are permitted inside display units.
3. Displays require a minimum of 2.4 m (8 ft.) distance from the curb and 1.8 m (6 ft.) from any “obstruction” such as trees, lamp standards, bike racks, bus stops, news boxes or meters.  If it is determined that there are other factors to consider such as pedestrian volume, these widths and requirements may be varied on a case by case basis and at the sole discretion of the City Engineer or designate. 
4. If the business seeks approval for specific non-standard displays in writing, the request is subject to approval or cancellation by the Coordinator at any time.
5. Display set up may not block any entrance\exit(s) from any buildings, access to any Fire Department or other utilities equipment, connections or an adjacent building.
6. All display furniture will be placed flush against the building; be temporary in nature and must be removed from the sidewalk by 11pm each evening. 

Program Rules & Display Information (in addition to above requirements)

1. Only quality whole Produce, Plants & Flowers may be displayed and no other merchandise or spoiled food will be tolerated.
2. Bakery items, meat, poultry, dairy and fish are all strictly prohibited in your displays.
3. The permit area may not be use for storage or to store boxes or other materials and transportation devices.  You may not use cardboard, crates or cartons within your display area.
4. All surrounding areas must be kept in a neat, clean and orderly manner and maintain a high standard of appearance at all times. Any debris resulting from the display area must be removed immediately.  Evidence of regular maintenance\painting\resurfacing or repair of displays may be required and is at the discretion of the Coordinator.
5. You may not use the display area for food or flower preparations. This must be done inside your business location and not on the sidewalk.
6. No merchandise will be tolerated outside of the approved display area.  If you display outside the approved area, or violate any of the program regulations, City of Vancouver staff has the authority and will impound your merchandise at your expense. Charges vary between $100 and $300 per impound conducted. Perishable items are disposed of (at the City’s discretion) and other goods will be kept in storage for 30 days from the date of impound.  Only non-perishable items may be reclaimed by paying all charges in full and contacting the Coordinator. All items are disposed of after 30 days and will not be reclaimed.
7. Customers must pay for all goods inside your business address. Sidewalk sales will not be tolerated.
8. Your permit area is restricted to immediately in front or flanking your business address.  You may not encroach or use another business’ frontage at any time or under any circumstances.
9. Displays may not block entrance\exit(s) from any buildings, access to any Fire Department or other utilities equipment, connections or an adjacent building.
10. The Permit must be posted in view of the public at the business address to which it is issued and made available on demand from any City of Vancouver Inspector or Official. The owner is responsible for the actions of their staff and all persons connected with the business must co-operate fully and immediately with any City of Vancouver official or member of the Vancouver Police Department regarding the Display\Permit.
11. Violations to requirements, guidelines, regulations or bylaws will jeopardize your participation in the Program.
12. The Produce & Flower Display Permit remains the property of the City of Vancouver and must be surrendered on request.
13. Please note that failing to meet any of the requirements may result in confiscation of goods (impounding), charges, suspension and/or cancellation of the Permit.   Site inspections may be carried out at any time before, during or after business hours.  The City of Vancouver is under no obligation to perform inspections and this in no way relieves the applicant\owner from the obligation to comply with all Guidelines, Regulations, and Terms of the Program.

Changes Affecting Your Business

If your business information or ownership changes during the permit year, please advise the Coordinator immediately at 604-829-2035. You are required to update any changes to your information on file such as a change in the business name, if you become a Limited Company or Incorporate.  All changes or additions\deletions to the name(s) of an Owner(s), address or other Contact information, including your insurance agent\broker\company all must be reported to the Coordinator.  Any changes that affect your business entity will invalidate your issued permit. Please also notify the Coordinator if you plan on selling your business as the issued permit will be invalid once the business has been sold. A new owner is not authorized to use City Property and must apply for a permit following the above guidelines.  Please remember that no refund will be issued for permit fees that have been paid.

Annual Renewal of Permit

Once a permit has been granted, you will be sent annual renewal notices in late May to early June.  If you do not receive a renewal notice by the third week of June, request another copy.  Failure to receive a renewal notice does not alleviate your responsibility to renew the permit by June 30th.  In order to renew your permit you must have a valid insurance certificate up to and including June 30th of the following year. Renewal fees must be paid in full by June 30th or late fees and\or interest will apply. You must show proof of payment of all outstanding charges or fees on your account prior to a new permit being approved.

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