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Refreshment cart and PDUs

The Customer Service counter at 3235 Mavis Road will reopen to the public on September 8 by appointment only. Appropriate health and safety protocols will be in place. Book an appointment.

What you need to apply for a refreshment cart or Portable Display Unit (PDU) owner’s licence for units that don’t have a motor, like a hot dog cart or coffee cart.

To apply for a refreshment cart or Portable Display Unit (PDU) owner’s licence you’ll need to submit:

  • An Owner Licence Application. This must be completed by the business owner, partner, president or an authorized agent.
  • Proof that you’re at least 15 years old
  • Proof of Canadian citizenship, landed immigrant status or a valid work permit
  • Original criminal record search
  • Articles of incorporation and/or business registration documents, if applying as a company
  • A copy of the registered declaration of partnership, if applying as a registered partnership
  • Letter of authorization from property owner that shows:
    • The name of the refreshment cart or PDU owner
    • Site map that shows where the cart will be located
    • A list of the items for sale from the cart
    • Hours and terms of operation
  • Proof of zoning approval such as a letter from the City’s Planning and Building department or a final decision of the Committee of Adjustment
  • A valid permit for the cart, if applicable
  • Certificate of insurance with a minimum $2 million coverage and endorsed to the City of Mississauga
  • Health inspection from the Region of Peel, if applicable
  • Technical safety standard authority (TSSA) propane inspection, if applicable
  • Site location inspection, if applicable
  • Park permit, if applicable

The cart or PDU must be inspected at the Mobile Licensing Office, and a site inspection must be conducted before your licence can be issued.

Proposed cart locations

Refreshment cars cannot be located within:

  • 30 metres of any intersection
  • 100 meters of the entrance to a public park
  • 100 meters of school property
  • 500 metres of another approved refreshment cart location
  • 500 metres of a business selling similar goods in a location that would interfere with traffic

Licence fees

Your refreshment cart or PDU owner’s licence will cost $357.88. This includes:

Type of fee Price
Initial non-refundable licence fee (HST exempt) $20
Balance of licence fee (HST exempt) $180
Copy of Vendors By-law 552-04, as amended (if provided by the City) $32.50
Site inspection fee $107.22
HST $18.16
Total $357.88

Renewing an owner’s licence

Your licence will expire every year on April 30. A renewal notice will be mailed to the address we have on file for you.

To renew your licence, you’ll need to submit the following documents and pay your renewal fee:

  • A Licence Renewal Application
  • Valid Master Business Name Registration, if applicable
  • Certificate of Insurance endorsed to the City of Mississauga
  • Technical Standards and Safety Authority Inspection Report, if propane is used
  • Health inspection from the Region of Peel
  • Park Permit, if applicable

The fee to renew your licence is $183. If you pay the renewal fee more than 10 business days after your licence expiry date there will be an additional fee of $89.55.

If you don’t renew your licence within 30 days of the expiry date, you’ll have to reapply as a new applicant.

To apply for a refreshment cart or PDU operator’s licence you’ll need to submit:

  • Driver/Operator Licence Application
  • Proof that you’re at least 15 years old
  • Proof of Canadian Citizenship, landed immigrant status or a valid work permit
  • Original criminal record search
  • A certificate of medical fitness proving you’re free from communicable diseases, issued in the last 30 days
  • Letter of employment from a licensed refreshment cart of PDU owner
  • Your photo. We’ll take your photo when you apply in person.

Licence fees

Your refreshment cart or PDU operator’s licence will cost $210.73. This includes:

Type of fee Price
Initial non-refundable licence fee (HST exempt) $17.40
Balance of licence fee (HST exempt) $156.60
Copy of Vendors By-law 552-04, as amended (if provided by the City) $32.50
HST $4.23
Total $210.73

Renewing an operator’s licence

Your licence will expire every year on April 30. A renewal notice will be mailed to the address we have on file for you.

To renew your licence you’ll need to submit a Licence Renewal Application and pay the renewal fee of $166. If you pay the renewal fee more than 10 business days after your licence expiry date there will be an additional fee of $89.55.

If you don’t renew your licence within 30 days of the expiry date, you’ll have to reapply as a new applicant.