Annual applications for all vending sites including artisan, food truck, stands and bicycle wagons will open on Monday, March 3, 2025 and will be on a first come, first served basis. *In the event of a storm on the 3rd, the applications will be delayed and will open on Tuesday, March 4th*.
If you want to sell handmade crafts, at a specific site on municipal land, you need to have an artisan vending license. The availability of municipal sites will vary from year to year.
What is an Artisan?
Artisan means a painter, photographer, silversmith, weaver, jeweler, candle maker, leather worker or other like artisan who resides in Nova Scotia and manufactures their own products or vends handmade products made within Nova Scotia.
When can a person with a valid Artisan license, sell their handcrafts?
A person can only vend from May 1st through to October 31st in any year.
Where would I find a copy of the Vending on Municipal Land Bylaw C-501?
The applicant/license holder shall be familiar with and abide by all vending regulations in accordance with By-Law C-501. In accordance with Section 39 of By-Law C-501, a site license may not be permitted to operate during a Festival or Special Event approved by the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Note: Each year, Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) will update this website with information relative to the first day HRM sells Artisan licenses. The selected date will be prior to the start of the Artisan season, the first of May, in a given year. If you are unable to participate in the first day HRM sells Artisan licenses, you can still apply for an artisan license, from any of the remaining artisan sites, on a first come first served basis.
2025 HRM Artisan License Application Process
Before applications open, we recommend completing one the following:
- If you have applied online in the past: Log in to the Customer Portal and verify all personal information is up to date, and that you’re able to log in.
- If this is the first time applying: Go to Applying for a License for step by step instructions for setting up the Customer Portal and Business Account. This page also provides details on how to apply for an application and links to the Vending pages.
Having these steps completed prior to application day will ensure a smooth application process since all applications are processed on a first come first served basis.
There are two ways to apply:
- Apply online through the Customer Portal, or;
- Apply in person at Bayers Road Customer Service Centre (7071 Bayers Road, Halifax 1st floor) or at Alderney Customer Service Centre (40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth,1st floor) Monday-Friday, between 8:30am – 4:30pm.
Reminder of Storm Date: If offices are closed, online applications and in-person applications will then open on Tuesday, March 4th at 8:30am.
The following information is required at time of application:
- Photograph(s) of the items being sold
- Price list for all items sold
- A statement to confirm that the applicant made or manufactured the handcraft, or
- advising that the handcrafts have been made within Nova Scotia.
- A statement that you are sharing a site with another Artisan, if you are a joint applicant
- Fee are as follows (*if paid prior to April 1st when CPI increase):
- Spring Garden Road $42
- Sackville Landing $320
- Nathan Green $320
- Ferry Terminal Park $140
All artisan locations can be viewed on the Map.
List of Artisan sites
The following is a list of sites for Artisans, pending availability.
- Sackville Landing - 9 Sites located on the Event Plaza, SE side of Sackville St and Lower Water St
Sackville Landing
Availability for the 2023 Season:
All sites are 7'x7'Site 1 - Available
Site 2 - Available
Site 3 - Available
Site 4 - Available
Site 5 - Available
Site 6 - Available
Site 7 - Available
Site 8 - Available
Site 9 - Available- Nathan Greene Square - 10 sites located in park area, east of the Provincial Courts building.
Nathan Greene Square
Availability for the 2023 Season:
Sites 1-5 are 7'x5' and Sites 6-10 are 10'x10'Site 1 - Available
Site 2 - Available
Site 3 - Available
Site 4 - Available
Site 5 - Available
Site 6 - Available
Site 7 - Available
Site 8 - Available
Site 9 - Available
Site 10 - Available- Ferry Terminal Park - Dartmouth side - 9 sites located on boardwalk area, east of ferry terminal building - adjacent to green space
Ferry Terminal Park (Dartmouth)
Availability for the 2024 Season:
Sites 1-5 are 1mx2mSite 1 - Available
Site 2 - Available
Site 3 - Available
Site 4 - Available
Site 5 - Available
Site 6 - Available
Site 7 - Available
Site 8 - Available
Site 9 - Available- Spring Garden Rd - on the sidewalk, north side of Public Gardens between South Park St and Summer St
Availability for the 2023 Season:
All sites are 1mx2m
Site 1 - Available
Site 2 - Available
Site 3 - Available
Site 4 - Available
Site 5 - Available
Site 6 - Available
Site 7 - Available
Site 8 - Available
Site 9 - Available
Site 10 - Available
Site 11 - Available
Site 12 - Available
Site 13 - Available
Site 14 - Available
Site 15 - Available
Site 16 - Available
Site 17 - Available
Site 18 - Available
Site 19 - Available
Site 20 - Available
Site 21 - Available
Site 22 - Available
Site 23 - Available
Site 24 - Available
Site 25 - Available
Site 26 - Available
| Artisan Vending Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Artisan Vending Type | Fee |
| Spring Garden Rd (Public Gardens) | $44 |
| Sackville Landing (Halifax Waterfront) | $330 |
| Nathan Greene Square (Halifax Waterfront) | $330 |
| Ferry Terminal Park (Dartmouth) | $150 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I need to apply for an Artisan Vending license?
To apply for an Artisan vending license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- several photographs of the crafts if more than one type of craft being sold
- price list for all items sold
- a statement to the effect that the applicant made or manufactured the handcraft or the handcrafts are made within Nova Scotia
- Where can I submit my vending application?
Once the application date is announced you can apply online or at a Municipal Customer Service Centre. To apply online you'll need a customer portal account. Not sure how to do that? View the job aide for setting up your customer portal account.
- How long will it take to obtain a license?
Every effort is made to issue an Artisan license in five business days. You can call 311 to check on the status of your application after the five business days. Remember to have your application number when making inquiries or submitting additional information.
- What are the times I can operate at my artisan location?
Per section 40 (5)(e) of the C-501 Vending Bylaw, A person who vends pursuant to this Section shall: remove tables, booths, display stands, coverings, screens and other equipment used for display at the end of each business day, which business day is deemed to commence at 7:00 am and ends at 10:00 pm.
- Can a person hang their products for sale from natural or man-made structures, including Public Garden’s Fence?
A person who vends shall not hang products for sale from the following:
- Natural or man-made structures (including Public Garden’s Fence)
- Trees
- Bushes
- Posts
- Does a person need an artisan license from the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) License Office, if a person sells handcrafts on private property?
The vending by-law C-501 only issues artisan licenses for specific sites on municipal land.