Not every business in Yarmouth has a permanent structure to call home, but they are no less important to the local economy.
However, not just anyone can set up a seafood cart on Main Street, sell ice cream door-to-door, or even plug in a vending machine – at least, not without the right approvals in place. Our Vending Bylaw lays out all the different requirements you have to meet before setting up a souvenir stand or a busking event. These requirements include filling out the proper forms, paying the appropriate fees, and ensuring that you conduct your business only in one of the town's designated vending sites.
To see exactly where your next business venture fits into the town's rules for vendors, check out the pdf new Vending Bylaw (5.46 MB) . To start the process, fill out the pdf Vending Permit application form (278 KB) and contact:
Bylaw Enforcement Officer
400 Main St.
Yarmouth, NS B5A 1G2
Email: enforcement@townofyarmouth.ca
Phone: (902) 740-5968
Fax: (902) 742-6244
We've included the vending fee schedule below.
| Type of Vending | Per Week | Per Month | Per Year | Per Event |
| Mobile Canteen | $200 | $500 | $100 | |
| Stand | $25 | $50 | ||
| Umbrella Event | $100 | |||
| Outdoor Farmers’ or Outdoor Craft Market | $200 | $500 | $100 | |
| Outdoor Fruit/Vegetable/Fish Stand or Vehicle | $25 | $100 | $500 | |
| All Other Vendors | $25 | $200 | $500 | |
| Non-Profit Event or Unit | $0 |
Busker Performances Welcome Downtown
Jugglers, musicians, living statues – family-friendly entertainment is welcome in downtown Yarmouth! Help us bring fun to the streets this tourist season. There are no permit or fee requirements, just a few rules of thumb. Check out the guidelines below, and pdf download our Busking Brochure. (5.00 MB)
Guidelines for busking in Yarmouth
- Open to all ages. Kids 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
- Free registration with the Town is required, just fill out our pdf registration form (309 KB) .
- Downtown Yarmouth is open for family-friendly entertainment in our designated areas shown on the map.
- Use of sharp or dangerous objects is prohibited including but not limited to: juggling knives, chainsaws, hatchets and flaming objects.
- Please be respectful of nearby businesses and residents in terms of noise levels. Plugged-in instruments or sound systems are permitted only in designated areas.
- Please be respectful of pedestrian flow and safety by keeping sidewalks and business entries clear.
- No selling of products other than your own CDs
- Dogs must be leashed. Please see our pdf Dog Bylaw (3.35 MB) for further information.
For more information, contact By-law Enforcement at (902) 740-5968.
Where? Places with a check indicate busking locations
