Food Trucks and Food Carts

Your guide on how to operate a mobile food service in the City.

1. Before you apply

Do you have a business license?

The first step to becoming a mobile food operator in the City of North Vancouver is to possess an annual business licence for each individual truck/trailer/cart that you operate. Operating without a business licence carries a fine of $400 daily.

What you need before applying

The following is required prior to submitting a mobile food operator business licence application: 

1. $5,000,000 commercial general liability coverage. The City of North Vancouver must be added as an additional name insured, with a thirty (30) day cancellation clause.
2. A minimum of $2,000,000 automobile liability insurance for each mobile unit/vehicle/towing vehicle/trailer. We need to see page 1 and page 2.*Food Trucks Only
3. A valid health operating permit from either Vancouver Coastal Health or Fraser Health.   
4. A current GVFCA inspection report and decal (Fire inspection).
5. A clearance letter in good standing from WorkSafe BC (or exemption notice if applicable) – learn more on the WorkSafe BC website.

Know the difference: food trucks vs. food carts

Information	Food truck (full service food vehicle)	Pushcart operator
Definition	A food truck or trailer has the facilities on board to store and prepare food.	A portable cart or wagon used for carrying goods to sell (including bicycle food vendors).
Locations you can operate	Both public and private property. See approved locations and requirements
Annual business licence fee	$250 each year	$166 each year
Maximum dimensions	Trucks recommended to be less than 10 metres (32'-95/8") in length.	• Maximum 1.5 metres (5’) in overall length. • Maximum 1.2 metres (4’) in overall width. • Maximum 1 metre (3’ 3”) solid bottom of kiosk with additional 1 metre (3’ 3”) of clear open structure above.
Permitted hours of operation	Between 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, on both private and public property.
Waste Disposal	All vendors are required to do a daily clean up within a 10 metre (30 ft) radius of the food truck or cart, and garbage and waste must be recycled or disposed of off-site. Use of public City of North Vancouver garbage or recycling containers is not permitted. Liquid Wastewater must be disposed of at approved locations (not in drains or bodies of water, which carries a fine of XXX). Learn more about how and where to dispose of fats, oils and grease. <<NEED LINK>>

2. Approved locations & requirements

The second step to operating a mobile food service in the City is to know where you want to operate. Review details on the different types of approved locations for food trucks and carts below.

If your food truck/cart is offering a product or service similar to an existing business within one block of the proposed location, your application will not be approved. Other restrictions may apply (e.g. schools).

Public Property

Please be aware that there are no electrical or waste services, potable water, and limited public washrooms provided at these locations, with some exceptions at The Shipyards. 

3. Apply

Once you know how and where your business will operate, you’re ready to apply for a mobile food operator business licence and if applicable, a location permit.

 

Apply for a business licence

To apply for a mobile food operator business licence to vend in the City of North Vancouvewr, visit our Business Licence webpage and complete the application form. For a smooth application process, please review the list of what you need before applying prior to applying.

The initial cost for processing the application is $50. Once your initial application is processed and payment is received, further payment is required to receive an annual business licence. See our 'food trucks vs. food carts' table for annual business licence fees. 

 

Apply for a location permit

To apply for a location permit to vend on public property in the City, contact the City’s Licence department with an identified location and dates of operation by emailing licence@cnv.org. 

We'll review the proposed location and if approved, will provide you with the application form. Once the submitter completes the application form and pays the corresponding fees on our online service centre, CityServe, they'll receive a permit to vend at the location.

Again, if your food truck/cart is offering a product or service similar to an existing business within one block of the proposed location, your application will not be approved.

4. After you apply

When does my business licence expire and how do I renew it?

Business licences expire one year from the date the licence is issued. Automatic renewal notices are sent to each business owner. To renew your licence, visit our Business Licence webpage for more information.

Contact Us

Licence Department
Phone: 604-982-3910
Email: licence@cnv.org