Roaming street food vending

2024 Fees

Qualifications

We welcome your application if you:

• Are legally entitled to work in Canada
• Have valid liability and vehicle insurance
• Have a current City of Vancouver business licence
• Complete a criminal record search for each vending unit operator
• Have a valid health permit

Insurance requirements

As a condition of being granted a vending permit, you must show “Proof of Liability Insurance” coverage which meets the following minimum requirements:

• 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

Download our Liability Insurance Certificate PDF file (175 KB), forward it to your insurance company to complete, and upload it during your application.

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

How to apply

Each vending unit needs a roaming food vending permit.

1. Before you apply, have the following ready:
   • 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
2. Apply for your permit online. Register for an account and submit your application

Apply online

Rules and requirements

Times and locations where vending is not allowed

Vending is not permitted within:

• The nighttime hours noted on your permit
• Downtown, on streets west of Main Street and north of False Creek
• One block of grade schools on school days from 8am to 5pm
• Park boundaries (including parking lots), beaches, school grounds, or private properties
• 100 metres of park concession stands

Locations with restrictions

• Olympic Village:
  • Maximum of two vendors for the entire village area
  • One vendor is permitted at any one time at the village square 
  • If parked on 1600 Manitoba St, vending may only take place on the east side of the block
  • One vendor is permitted at any one time at Hinge Park, vending may only take place 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 prior to 10am and must vacate prior to 10pm
  • Only those on the new schedule are permitted to vend in this area
• Terminal Avenue:
  • Maximum of two vendors per day between Station Street and Thornton Street
• Railway Street:
  • Maximum of two vendors per day between Gore Avenue and Jackson Street
  • Side streets off of Railway Street are not permitted
• Spanish Banks:
  • Maximum of two 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 prior to 10am and must vacate prior to 10pm
  • Vendors may only sell two days per 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.

Vending permits

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

Roaming vending units

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 given 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 rubbish 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 per your waste management plan in accordance with the Solid Waste Bylaw No. 8417 PDF file (218 KB)

Vending units are exempt from hourly parking limits when operating.

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 the requirements listed above may result in one or more of the following:

• 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 two compartment sink with hot and cold running water
• Mechanical refrigeration for the storage of perishable products
• Adequate electrical lighting
• Adequate rubbish disposal