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Toronto · Mobile food vending

Licences and permits to open a food cart in Toronto

We found four licences, permits and registrations that can apply when you open a food cart in Toronto, starting with the Non-Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence. They are handled by two different bodies: Municipal Licensing & Standards and Toronto Public Health.

Everything on this list is municipal, so the City of Toronto is your main point of contact. The published application-plus-licence total for the Non-Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence is $501.08. Three have no fee listed on the page we reviewed.

The notes mention proof of $1,000,000 in liability insurance, an inspection and a certificate or exam; those steps depend on other people's schedules, so they are worth starting early.

Requirements
4
Issuers
2
Provincial
0
Last verified
Oct 31, 2026

What you'll need

Last verified:

  1. 01Non-Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Required to operate a food vending cart; applicants need $1,000,000 liability insurance, a Toronto Public Health inspection letter and a propane/natural gas inspection where applicable.

    Fees as published

    • Application fee: $212.76
    • Licence fee: $288.32
    • Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee) for Non-Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence: $501.08
    • Renewal fee: $350.51 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified July 3, 2026)
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  2. 02Sidewalk Vending Permit (to sell on City sidewalks)

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Needed to sell on City property at a location you identify and apply for; food vendors must be at least 25 m from an open restaurant and other food vendors and 30 m from places of worship or schools.

    No fee published on the source page.

    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  3. 03Notify Toronto Public Health of a new food premises (DineSafe inspection)

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Toronto Public Health

    Anyone intending to operate a food premises (fixed, mobile or home-based), including buying an existing one, must notify the Medical Officer of Health before starting; premises are inspected and results posted on DineSafe.

    No fee published on the source page.

    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  4. 04Food Handler Certification

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Toronto Public Health

    The City lists Food Handler Certification as required for anyone who serves and handles food. Toronto Public Health's program is suspended; certificates from Ontario Ministry of Health-approved providers or any Ontario health unit are accepted.

    No fee published on the source page.

    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the municipality before opening.

FAQ

Food Cart in Toronto: common questions

What licences do I need to open a food cart in Toronto?
Our list has four items: Non-Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence, Sidewalk Vending Permit (to sell on City sidewalks), Notify Toronto Public Health of a new food premises (DineSafe inspection) and Food Handler Certification. Confirm with the City of Toronto before opening.
How much do the licences cost to open a food cart in Toronto?
Published fees: Non-Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence: Application fee: $212.76; Licence fee: $288.32; Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee) for Non-Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence: $501.08; Renewal fee: $350.51 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified July 3, 2026). Fees change; check the linked page for the current amount.
Who issues these licences and permits?
City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards (Non-Motorized Refreshment Vehicle Owner licence and Sidewalk Vending Permit (to sell on City sidewalks)); City of Toronto — Toronto Public Health (Notify Toronto Public Health of a new food premises (DineSafe inspection) and Food Handler Certification).
Do I need anything from the Province of Ontario?
The City of Toronto pages we reviewed don't list a provincial requirement for this type of business. Other registrations, such as registering a business name or a tax account, can still apply depending on how you set up.
How current is this information?
Each item was last checked against the linked page on October 31, 2026. Rules and fees change, so open the linked page and confirm with the issuer before you apply. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

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Next steps

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