Item - 2025.EC18.4

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 740, Street Vending, as follows:

a. Amend the definition of ‘Mobile Food Vending Permit’ in Section 740-1 to include the words that are underlined: “A permit which grants the permit holder the right to vend refreshments and food products from a motorized refreshment vehicle, or a non-motorized refreshment vehicle which meets the requirements of section 740-12C, on a road in a Mobile Vending Zone in accordance with Article III.”

b. Amend subsection 740-12A to include the words that are underlined: “A person may apply for a Mobile Food Vending Permit which will grant to the permit holder the right to vend refreshments and food products from only the motorized refreshment vehicle, or non-motorized refreshment vehicle meeting the requirements in subsection C, identified in the permit in Mobile Vending Zones.”

c. Amend Section 740-12 to include a new subsection C, as follows:

“A Mobile Food Vending Permit may only be granted for a non-motorized refreshment vehicle that is:

(1) a trailer;

(2) no more than 10 metres in length;

(3) no more than 3 metres in width; and

(4) displaying a valid number plate issued by the Province for the trailer.”

d. Amend subsection 740-17A(13) to include the words that are underline: “Unless otherwise permitted under subsection C, fail to clearly display their Mobile Food Vending Permit inside the windshield of the vehicle and, where a Mobile Vending Zone is located in a pay and display location, fail to clearly display their Mobile Food Vending Permit inside the windshield of the vehicle and, where issued, next to the pay and display receipt.”

e. Amend Section 740-17 to include a new subsection C, as follows:

“In addition to the conditions of operation in this section, all Mobile Food Vending Permit holders who operate a non-motorized refreshment vehicle shall also:

(1) Vend only in Mobile Vending Zones in Ward 11;

(2) Vend only during the pilot period of April 1 to December 31, 2025, inclusive;

(3) Despite subsection A(13), display their Mobile Food Vending Permit inside a window of the non-motorized refreshment vehicle; and

(4) Where the non-motorized refreshment vehicle is attached to another vehicle, ensure the attached vehicle is compliant with all requirements for parking in that location, including, without limitation, being compliant with all by-law requirements and paying any fee required for parking;

f. Amend subsection 740-18B to include the words that are underlined: “A drawing or photograph, including dimensions of the motorized refreshment vehicle or non-motorized refreshment vehicle; and”

g. Amend subsection 740-26.A(1) to include the words that are underlined: “The permit holder shall display the permit in a manner so that it is clearly visible on the refreshment vehicle, the portable display unit or the work station. In the case of a Mobile Food Vending permit, when vending in a pay and display parking location, the permit holder shall display the Mobile Food Vending permit inside the windshield of the vehicle or other location permitted for a non-motorized refreshment vehicle and, where issued, next to the pay and display receipt.”

h. Amend subsection 740-35.1.A. to include the words that are underlined: "Where a person occupies and vends from a motorized refreshment vehicle or non-motorized refreshment vehicle on or near a highway, including a road, sidewalk or boulevard, in contravention of this chapter, the Executive Director, or persons acting upon his or her instructions, may cause it to be moved or taken to and placed or stored in a suitable place and all costs and charges for removing, care and storage, if any, are a lien upon the vehicle which may be enforced in the manner provided by the Repair and Storage Liens Act."

2. City Council direct that the by-law amendment above come into effect immediately on the date a by-law is adopted.

3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee, as part of the review of Chapter 740, Street Vending, on findings related to this pilot.

City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 740, Street Vending, regulates the sale of refreshments, including food, drink and ice cream, from motorized vehicles and non-motorized vehicles on City highways.  A review of Chapter 740 is planned to occur throughout 2025, with the findings and recommendations expected to be presented to Council by the end of 2025.

The purpose of this report is to respond to 2024.MM24.5 More Great Eats, which directs Municipal Licensing & Standards (“MLS”) to report back with recommendations for a pilot to permit non-motorized vehicles to obtain a mobile vending permit and operate from mobile vending zones in University-Rosedale (Ward 11).

This report was developed with input from Transportation Services.