Toronto could see more food trucks, street vendors, and amplified musicians and buskers in the city if a set of new recommendations is adopted.
Following a review in 2025 that looked at Toronto’s current street vending and artist by-laws, a new report that’s set to go before committee this week spells out how Toronto could tweak the rules to generate more revenue for the city and increase business opportunities for vendors and artists.
“In a city as large and vibrant as Toronto, investing in a strong local economy supports a high quality of life for residents,” the report reads.
“Street vendors and artists contribute to these efforts by adding to the vibrancy of the public realm, strengthening community relationships, and offering the public opportunities to conveniently access food, goods and art.”
Ban on new sidewalk vending to end
One of the biggest changes is a proposed lift of a 24-year-old moratorium which restricted new sidewalk vending in the downtown core. Introduced in 2002, the rule was established to manage the concentration of sidewalk vendors in the area. The ban worked, and in 2025 there were just 47 vendors operating in the area (down from 134 in 2002).
But, for the first time since then, the city says it’s time for a change and will allow vendors to apply for new sidewalk vending permits.
There are rules though. Food vendors (think hot dog stands) will need to be at least 25 metres from an “eating establishment” and non-food vendors will need to keep the same distance from a business selling a similar product. The new stands cannot be within 25 metres of a school and must maintain at least 2.5 metres of passable space.
Food trucks to get time limit extension
Under the current rules, permitted food trucks can only sell in what’s known as a “mobile vending zone” for five hours per block during a 24-hour-period. But, according to the findings of its review (which included public consolations with vendors, businesses and residents), that five-hour window is too short.
“In surveys and focus groups, vendors reported that the process of setting up and taking down equipment is time-consuming, and that a five-hour limit does not allow adequate time to generate sufficient daily revenue after accounting for these activities,” the report read.
As such, the city recommends more than doubling the existing time limit to 12 hours per 24-hour period. Staff say that the change would not only improve the overall value for the permit holder, but also allow them to operate during two meal periods, thereby increasing profitability.
Clarifying rules for travelling vendors
The report also suggests establishing a new permit type, similar to that of an ice cream truck, which would allow for “short stop vending” where vendors can operate on a city block for 30 minutes at a time per 24-hour period.
The permit expands on the ice cream truck model and allows vendors to sell food, refreshments and non-food goods, from motorized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and on foot.
Buskers and musicians can amplify their performances, sell their music
As it stands, permitted buskers and musicians who perform on a public sidewalk can’t use an amplifier or sell their goods. But those rules could also change, if the proposed recommendations are approved.
The report points out that buskers and sidewalk artists are the only groups of people in the city explicitly prohibited from the use of any amplification. That stipulation, paired with the inability to sell their CDs, vinyl and cassettes, were identified as “key concerns” that restrict opportunities for those performers, staff say.
Staff recommend allowing amplification, with a permit, for performers between noon and 8 p.m. at a set volume. The performance must take place 50 metres away from another busker and members of the public can still call 311 to report a busker who may be breaking the rules. The sale of their music will not require a permit.
Cuts to permit fees
The cost of a permit for some street vending operations is being cut by more than 30 per cent in some cases to spur more uptake, the report noted.
For instance, the current annual permit fee to run a food truck in the city is $6,631. That would drop to $4,500 under the new rules.
Similarly, the current annual permit fee to operate an ice cream truck is $687, but that would also drop to $467.43.
The report notes that although the fees would be reduced under the proposal, any net financial impact would likely be offset by a likely increase in permit volumes.
“The proposed fee reductions are projected to result in a $75,000 to $120,000 estimated annual decrease in revenue, assuming there is no change in the existing number of licences and permits each year. It is expected that lower fees and the proposed expanded licence and permit options will result in increased licence and permit volume, which will consequently offset the projected revenue decrease,” it said.
When would these changes take effect?
If approved, the recommendations would be rolled out in phases, starting with the lifting of the sidewalk vending moratorium and increasing the time limit for mobile vendors in June of this year.
The second phase, including lowering permit fees, would begin on Jan. 1, 2027 and all other changes would take effect on March 1 of that year.
The city said it would monitor the implementation of the recommendations, if approved, and report back on areas that may need adjustment.
The report will go before the Economic and Community Development Committee on April 9 and then city council later this month if adopted.
