In Toronto, all street vendors, street performers, hawkers and pedlars need a licence to operate. Those who operate on streets or sidewalks may also need a permit. These licences and permits are regulated through three separate by-laws in Toronto: the Street Vending Bylaw, Licensing Bylaw, and Streets and Sidewalks Bylaw.
In 2025 and 2026, the City reviewed street vending and artists bylaws to make the rules easier to understand and create more opportunities for more people.
Through 2026 and 2027, the City will monitor implementation of the changes, and report back on any improvements, issues, feedback and findings.
In April 2026, Toronto City Council approved the following bylaw changes:
Starting April 2026, busking is no longer allowed in the area around the Eaton Centre and Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square), including the following streets where activities by buskers and sidewalk artists are not authorized:
| Street | Side | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Street | East | Dundas Street West | Queen Street West |
| Dundas Street | Both | Victoria Street | Bay Street |
| Yonge Street | Both | Dundas Street | Queen Street East |
| Dundas Square | Both | Yonge Street | Victoria Street |
| Shuter Street | Both | Victoria Street | Yonge Street |
| Victoria Street | Both | Dundas Street | Shuter Street |
| Queen Street West | Both | Bay Street | Yonge Street |
| Albert Street | Both | Bay Street | James St |
| James Street | Both | Trinity Square | Queen Street West |
City staff will work with the local Councillor and relevant stakeholders, to identify specific busking locations in this area. These locations will be announced in 2027 and additional information will be provided then.
Starting June 15, 2026, the moratorium on sidewalk vending (sidewalk vending for food vendors) in Wards 10, 11 and 13 will be lifted.
New applications for permits will be accepted starting June 15, 2026. Current permit holders are not permitted to apply for additional locations. Applications will be considered in the order they are received, and only complete applications will be considered.
All current curb lane vending permits (starting with R55) are now valid until December 31, 2031. Permit holders will need to continue meeting licence and permit conditions and ensure annual renewal fees are paid.
On June 15, 2026, updated permits will be printed and mailed out to permit holders. No action is required from permit holders at this time.
Beginning June 15, 2026, food truck vendors with a Mobile Vending Permit can operate up to 12 hours per day at a time. This is an increase from the previous five hours per day limit.
Starting January 1, 2027
Starting March 1, 2027, further rule changes will come into effect, and the Licensing Bylaw will be updated. Some key changes to note include:
Starting March 2028
As part of the review, the City consulted with street vendors, restaurants, businesses, relevant resident associations and business organizations, and the public through mixed consultation methods.
Input from an online survey, stakeholder focus group discussions and public consultations informed by-law changes. For more information, read the Consultation Report for the 2025 street vending review.
In March 2025, City Council adopted recommendations for a pilot to allow non-motorized trailers to vend in mobile vending zones, with a mobile vending permit, in Ward 11, from April 1 to December 31, 2025.
In May 2018, City Council adopted amendments to remove the moratorium on portrait artist permits, exempt the requirement for portrait artist permit applicants to carry general liability insurance, allow portrait artist permit holders to vend in more areas as set out in Chapter 740-7, and reduce the annual permit fee from $468.17 to $39.73.
Municipal Licensing & Standards collects your personal email address under the legal authority of Toronto City Council Item 2025.EC18.4, as confirmed by the City of Toronto By-law 258-2025, and Toronto City Council Item 2018.LS26.2, as confirmed by the City of Toronto By-law 832-2018. [This information will be used for the administration of a new Municipal Licensing & Standards listserv to share updates, resources, engagement opportunities related to the street vending, street performers, hawkers and pedlars on streets and sidewalks.] Questions about this collection can be directed to Policy Development Officer, Policy & Strategic Support, Municipal Licensing & Standards, 100 Queen Street West, Floor 16W, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N2 or by telephone at 416-338-7135.