Artisan License

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.

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)

*Special Notice for Ferry Terminal Park* Construction work on the Alderney Wharf is underway and is set to be completed as of June 2023. This construction has impacted the use of sites 1-5 which won't be available until approximately June 2023. Please keep this in mind when applying for an artisan site this year.

Availability for the 2023 Season:
Sites 1-5 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

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

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.

 

Artisan Applications will be accepted beginning Friday, March 1, 2024 at 8:30am. 

There are two (2) ways to apply for an Artisan License on Friday, March 1, 2024.  

  1. You can apply online (Note: payments can be made by VISA, Mastercard and American Express . A debit credit card will not be accepted by the online system), or;
  2. 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) between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For further details, please read the 2024 first day HRM Sells Artisan Licenses.  

All artisan locations can be viewed on the Map.

How much does an Artisan’s license cost?

Artisan Vending Type Fee
Artisan Vending Type Fee
Spring Garden Rd (Public Gardens) $42
Sackville Landing (Halifax Waterfront) $320
Nathan Greene Square (Halifax Waterfront) $320
Ferry Terminal Park (Dartmouth) $140

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 CentreTo 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.