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Apply for a refreshment cart or portable display unit licence

You need a licence to own or operate a non-motorized refreshment cart or portable display unit (PDU), such as a hot dog cart or food trailer, in Mississauga.

Your licence expires on April 30 every year. A renewal notice will be sent to the email address on file. If no email is available, it’ll be mailed to you.

Owner’s licence

Requirements

  • Proof that you’re at least 15 years old
  • Proof of Canadian citizenship, landed immigrant status or a valid work permit
  • Articles of incorporation or business registration documents, if applying as a company
  • Copy of the registered declaration of partnership, if applying as a registered partnership
  • 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

If you’re not exclusively operating within a park, you’ll also need to provide:

  • 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
  • Site location inspection

A site inspection must be conducted before your licence can be issued.

Your cart or PDU must be inspected at the Mobile Licensing Office at 950 Burnhamthorpe Road West before your licence can be issued. Book an appointment for your vehicle inspection.

Cart location restrictions

If operating outside of a park, your refreshment cart can’t be located within:

  • 30 metres of any intersection
  • 100 metres of the entrance to a public park
  • 100 metres 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

A new licence costs $226.79.

A licence renewal costs $139.26.

A site inspection fee costs $207.62 (HST included).

No HST is charged on licence fees.

Operator’s licence

Requirements

  • 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
  • A medical certificate of 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 or we’ll take your photo if you apply in person

Licence fees

An operator’s licence costs $191.50.

A licence renewal costs $182.76.

How to apply or renew

You can apply for or renew your licence in person or by mail. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

In person

  1. Complete the Owner Licence Application, Driver/Operator Licence Application or Licence Renewal Application.
  2. Gather the required documents and approvals.
  3. Book an appointment for a new licence or licence renewal.
  4. Bring your application and supporting documents to your appointment.
  5. Pay the licence fees.

If you’re an owner, we can inspect your cart or PDU if you bring it with you to your appointment.

By mail

Mail your completed Owner Licence Application, Driver/Operator Licence Application or Licence Renewal Application, the required documents and a cheque payable to the City of Mississauga in the amount of the licence fee to:

Licensing, Permits and Regulatory Services
950 Burnhamthorpe Road West
Mississauga, ON L5C 3B4

Contact us

If you have any questions about licensing, call 311 (905-615-4311 outside city limits).

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