Outside of Downtown: Roaming food vending permit

Apply for a roaming food vending permit

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  Step 1: Check if you qualify for the permit 

  Permit eligibility requirements

  • You are legally entitled to work in Canada.
  • You have valid liability and (if applicable) vehicle insurance.
  • You have a current City business licence.
  • You complete a criminal record search for each vending unit operator.
  • You have a valid health permit.
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  Step 2: Understand permit fees 

  2026 permit fees

  • Motorized unit (food trucks): $416.84 + GST
  • Non-motorized unit (bikes or push carts): $209.21 + GST

  Information icon All fees are subject to an annual inflationary increase based on our Engineering Fees Report PDF file (405 KB) and change without notice.

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  Step 3: Prepare your insurance and documents

  Insurance coverage requirements

  As a condition of being granted a vending permit, you must show “Proof of Liability Insurance” coverage with requirements:

  • Minimum inclusive limit of $2,000,000 P.L. and P.D. (public liability and property damage)
  • Cross liability clause
  • City of Vancouver named as an insured

  What you will need to do with your certificate

  1. Download our Liability Insurance Certificate PDF file (175 KB).
  2. Forward the certificate to your insurance company to complete.
  3. Upload the certificate with your application.

  Note A permit will not be granted until proof of insurance has been received.

  Required documents to provide with your application

  • A photo of the proposed vending unit
  • Valid liability insurance
  • Copy of your current business licence
  • Copy of health permit for your vending unit
  • Copy of motor vehicle insurance (if applicable)
  • Criminal record search 
  • Permit fees
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  Step 4: Submit your application

  • Submit all required documents listed in step 3.
  • Each vending unit requires its own permit.

  Register and apply online

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  Step 5: Review where you can and cannot vend

  Where you cannot vend

  • Downtown (west of Main St and north of False Creek)
  • Near schools (within 1 block, 8am to 5pm)
  • Parks (including parking lots), beaches, and private property
  • Within 100 metres of park concessions stands
  • During the nighttime hours listed on your permit

  Where you can vend with restrictions

  Oakridge Area (NEW!)

  Maximum of 2 vendors each day within the:

  • East side of 5500 and 5600 blocks of Cambie St
  • South side of 400 block of W 39th Ave
  • North and south side of 400 block of W 40th Ave

  Olympic Village

  • Maximum of 2 vendors for the entire village area.
  • 1 vendor is permitted at any 1 time at the village square.
  • If parked on 1600 Manitoba St, vending is only allowed on the east side of the block.
  • 1 vendor is permitted at any 1 time at Hinge Park (Vending is only allowed on the west side of 1600 Columbia Street.).
  • Vendors may only operate between 10am and 10pm, including prep and shut down. Trucks may not be on site before 10am and must vacate before 10pm.
  • Only those on the new schedule are permitted to vend in this area.

  Terminal Avenue

  • Maximum of 2 vendors each day between Station Street and Thornton Street.

  Spanish Banks

  • Maximum of 2 vendors along NW Marine Dr, parked between the street and the sidewalk or walking path
  • Vendors may only operate between 10am and 10pm, including prep and shut down.Trucks may not be on site before 10am and must vacate before 10pm.
  • Vendors may only sell 2 days each week.
  • Vendors are not permitted to park in any Parks Board parking lot.
  • Vendors must not be within 100 metres from any park concession when operating
  • Restricted areas are:
    • West of 4668 NW Marine Dr
    • Along NW Marine Dr from Sasamat to Belmont

  Vending near restaurants

  Roaming food vendors must stay 100 metres away from restaurants that sell a similar food product, concept, or theme.

  Example: A roaming food vendor is parked less than 100 metres from a juice business.

  • Not allowed: The roaming vendor sells only juice. This food concept or theme is too similar to the juice business.
  • Allowed: The roaming vendor sells breakfast items including juice. The juice menu item is the only similarity to the juice business.
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  Step 6: Review permit requirements

  Vending permits:

  • Must be displayed to the public at all times
  • May not be sold
  • Remain the property of the City of Vancouver
  • Must be given immediately, upon request, to any City of Vancouver official or Vancouver Police Department member
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  Step 7: Review vendor unit requirements

  Roaming vending units requirements

  Vending units must:

  • Be legally parked when stopped (If parked at a meter, the meter fees must be paid.)
  • Be operational within 60 minutes of arrival at any site
  • Be either a small sidewalk push cart, bicycle unit, enclosed trailer, or food truck
  • Move to a new location if there are no customers after 60 minutes
  • Keep work and storage areas clean, present a neat appearance, and provide a garbage and recycle bin for customers
  • Have someone in attendance at all times
  • Follow all requirements set out in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 96 for ventilation control and fire protection External website, opens in new tab
  • Maintain the waste management plan indicated in your permit application and dispose of waste as in your waste management plan in accordance with the Solid Waste Bylaw No. 8417 PDF file (218 KB)

  Note Vending units are exempt from hourly parking limits when operating.

  Note Enclosed trailer vending units must remain attached to a motorized vehicle at all times.

  Sound systems in vending units

  Sound systems must be:

  • Played no louder than 65dBA when measured at 15 metres directly in front of the vending unit
  • Set so the operator of the vending unit cannot adjust the volume above the limit
  • Shut off when the vehicle is stopped
  • Failure to comply with these requirements listed may result in:
    • Confiscation of goods
    • Suspension of the permit
    • Cancellation of the permit

  Storing your vending unit

  The site location and storage facilities for your vending unit must be approved by Vancouver Coastal Health. Refer to Vancouver Coastal Health's guidelines External website, opens in new tab

  The vending unit storage facility, also known as a commissary, must have:

  • A minimum of a painted concrete floor
  • Smooth, easily cleanable and impervious finishes on the walls, ceilings and storage surfaces
  • A design that prevents the entrance and harbourage of rodents or insects
  • A minimum of a 2 compartment sink with hot and cold running water
  • Mechanical refrigeration for the storage of perishable products
  • Adequate electrical lighting and garbage disposal