FAQs

The following are general requirements for all vending site permits. The approved location of Vending Sites shall be based on the following criteria: 

• There shall be no loading zone, accessibility ramp, or cross walks at the curb. 
• There shall be a minimum of 3.0 m (10 ft.) between any portion of an approved Vending Site and the curb return (i.e., corner or intersection of streets). 
• Vending Sites shall not be located where visibility to vehicle or pedestrian traffic safety is deemed to be an issue by the Town.
• A minimum clear passageway of not less than 1.5 m (5 ft.) for pedestrians shall be maintained free of any physical obstructions such as utility poles, fire hydrants, trees, temporary signs, sandwich boards, benches, or garbage receptacles. Tree gates must be in good condition and flush to the sidewalk surface if they are located within the 1.5 m (5 ft.) passageway or within a Vending Site. 
• Vending Sites shall not be used in such a way as would restrict or interfere with the ingress or egress of the adjacent property owner or constitute an obstruction to adequate access by emergency services or sanitary vehicles. 
• Sidewalk Cafés and Parking Patios are also subject to regulations in the Land Use Bylaw. 
• Will be approved on a seasonal basis only, from April 1 - October 15. Applicants will be required to re-apply annually. 
• Are limited to operation between the hours of 7 am and 10 pm and are not permitted to operate from 10 pm to 7 am. 
• Will only be permitted for applicable existing businesses within the Town. 
• There shall be no permanent modifications made to the public right of way (i.e., sidewalks, boulevards, or streets). The applicant is liable for all loss, costs, damages, and expenses whatsoever incurred or suffered by the Town for the operation of a Sidewalk Sale, Vending Cart, Sidewalk Cafés, and Parking Patio. 
• Must be maintained in a tidy, clean, and sanitary condition. Dirt, refuse, or debris shall not be permitted to accumulate at a Vending Site. The Town reserves the right to refuse renewal for Sidewalk Sales, Vending Carts, Sidewalk Cafés, and Parking Patios that are not maintained in an attractive and safe condition. 
• All items associated with any Vending Site that may be affected by the wind must be properly anchored with sandbags or concrete blocks (i.e., temporary anchoring). All items that are only temporarily anchored must be removed from the Vending Site at the close of business each day. For Parking Patios, where possible, items that may be affected by wind must be permanently anchored to the patio. Those items that permanently anchored to the Parking Patio may remain when the business is closed for the day. At no time may items associated with a Vending Site be tired or anchored to street furniture (i.e., benches, utility cabinets, light standards, fire hydrants, etc.) or greenery (i.e., trees, shrubs, etc.)
• Theft: the Town of Slave Lake assumes no responsibility for any theft of property owned by the Vendor. 
• Indemnification: the Vendor shall indemnify and save the Town harmless of all activities undertaken by the Vendor. 
• Special Events and Festivals: unless otherwise determined by the Town, an individual licensed for a Sidewalk Sale, Vending Cart, Sidewalk Café, or Parking Patio shall also have authority to provide vending services at that site during special events. 
• Legislation: the Vendor must abide by all laws and regulations; bylaws and resolutions governing the vending operation and must satisfy all levels of government. 
• Policy Compliance: the Town reserves the right to withdraw Vendor privileges at any location for failure to meet one or more of the requirements outlines in the Vending on Public Lands Policy. 
• Vending Permit: all Vendors shall be required to obtain a Vending Permit approving the location and operation of the Vending Site. 

The following are requirements for obtaining a Sidewalk Sale permit: 

• All items associated with a Sidewalk Sale must be removed from the sidewalk or on-street parking area before the close of business each day. 
• The area used for a Sidewalk Sale shall not exceed the width of the store front of the associated business. Should the Sidewalk Sale extend onto the on-street parking, it shall not extend beyond the depth of the on-street parking stalls. 
• Any Sidewalk Sale that extends onto the on-street parking must provide rope, rail, or fence around the sale area to prevent pedestrians from walking into traffic. 
• Sidewalk Sales must provide barrier free access to the public sidewalk. A minimum of 1.5 m (5 ft.) of the public sidewalk must remain free of any obstructions. 
• A Sandwich Board Sign may be placed in the Sidewalk Sale area (i.e., Vending Site) however cannot be placed within the area maintained for public access. 

The following are requirements for obtaining a Vending Cart permit:

• Vending Cart units shall be of good quality and aesthetically pleasing in appearance. They shall not have any lights, sounds, or actions which could be a distraction for motorists and/or pedestrians.
• Vending Carts selling food or beverages must be approved by Alberta Health Services. 
• All items associated with the Vending Card must be removed from the sidewalk before the close of business each day. 
• Vending Carts may only be placed on the sidewalk and may not be placed within on-street parking stalls. 
• Vending Carts must allow a minimum of 1.5 m (5 ft.) of Sidewalk between private property (or any other obstruction) and the Vending Cart, as barrier free access for the public. 
• Neither the Vending Cart, nor any items relating to operation of the Vending business, shall lean against or hang from any building or other structure without permission from the owner of the applicable building or structure. 
• To avoid unnecessary competition, Vending Carts shall not be located within 10.0 m (30 ft.) of any business (including another Vendor) which is selling similar products. 

The following are requirements for obtaining a Sidewalk Cafés and Parking Patios permit: 

• All items associated with an approved Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio must be removed at the end of the season (i.e., no later than October 15). 
• Sidewalk Cafés and Parking Patios must provide barrier free access to the public sidewalk and to the Café or Patio. A minimum of 1.5 m (5 ft.) of the public sidewalk must remain free of any obstructions. 
• The area of a Sidewalk Café and Parking Patio shall not exceed the width of the store front of the associated business and in the case of Parking Patios cannot extend beyond the dept of the on-street parking stalls. 
• Sidewalk Cafés that are developed within 1.0 m (3.3. ft.) of the adjacent building (i.e., store front of the associated business), will not be required to enclose the Café; otherwise, the Café must be enclosed with a rope, rail, or fence. 
• Where a Sidewalk Café utilizes the entire sidewalk width, a temporary boardwalk/walkway for pedestrians to walk around the Café shall be provided. The boardwalk/walkway for pedestrians to walk around the Café shall be provided. The boardwalk/walkway shall be a minimum of 1.0 m (3.3 ft.) from a lane of traffic and must be enclosed with a rail or fence. 
• Parking Patios must be setback 1.0 m (3.3 ft.) from a lane of traffic and maintain a 0.6 m (2 ft.) setback from adjacent parking stalls on either side. 
• Parking Patios must be enclosed with either a fence or a rail and all entrances/exits into the Patio must be placed such that they provide direct access to the sidewalk. Access to the Patio shall not be obstructed by furniture, signs, or any other item.
• All Parking Patios shall provide a platform/deck surface that is level with the curb and sidewalk with no more than 1.27 cm (1/2 in.) change in the elevation between the Patio space and the existing curb and sidewalk. 
• All lighting provided for Sidewalk Cafés and Parking Patios shall be directed away from residential areas, other properties, and streets. 
• Parking Patios must be designed in a manner that prevents the accumulation of food debris and garbage beneath the structure. The structure must also allow for appropriate street drainage and shall not obstruct the overland flow of stormwater. 
• Live or amplified music is permitted within a Sidewalk Café and Parking Patio; however, the playing of music must conform to the Town of Slave Lake's Community Standards Bylaw. Further, the playing of music must be conducted in a respectful manner ensuring that adjacent businesses and homes, patrons, pedestrians, and drivers of motor vehicles are not negatively impacted by the volume of the music. Further, the music must not pose a distraction for drivers of motor vehicles. Negative impacts of the music also include the lyrical content of the music, and as such, the music must not containing profane, lude, or sexually explicit language. No music videos, digital and/or video display will be permitted. 
• The applicant must permit representatives of the Town of Slave Lake Operations (i.e., public works, utilities), and Community Services departments to enter the Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio for the purpose of installation, maintenance and repair of pipes, cables, wires, poles, trees, or other municipal installations. The cost of restoration is to be the responsibility of the owner of the Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio. 
• The Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio owner cannot use any part of the Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio for any other use at any time (i.e., parking, advertising signs, etc.,) other than what has been approved in the Vending Permit issued for the Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio. 
• Only food and beverages prepared and served from the abutting eating or drinking establishment (i.e., associated business) are permitted. No outdoor food or drink preparation or service facilities are permitted within a Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio.
• The facilities of the abutting eating or drinking establishment (i.e., associated business) must provide food preparation, garbage storage, and washrooms satisfactory to Alberta Health Services. Drinking Establishments must provide whatever is required of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). 
• Sidewalk Cafés and Parking Patios must be licensed by all Federal, Provincial, and Municipal authorities. 
• The maximum seating capacity of the Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio is to be determined by the Planning Department. 
• A Sandwich Board may be placed adjacent to the Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio, however, cannot be placed within the area for public access or on or within a temporary boardwalk/walkway intended for public access. 
• The Town maintains the right to remove any poorly maintained structures associated with a Sidewalk Café or Parking Patio, at the operator's expense. 

Yes, temporary structures such as tents are permitted at your Vending Site however, they must adhere to the following guidelines: 

• All requests for installation of any object that pierces the ground including fence posts, tent poles/pegs, anchors, and sign installations on public land must be pre-approved. 
• All objects that pierce the ground will only be approved on grassed boulevards or gravel roads and will not be permitted on concrete or asphalt surfaces. 
• There are underground utilities, including Town infrastructure buried below the surface of many parks, open spaces, boulevard areas and streets. This infrastructure can be damaged by objectives that pierce the ground. 
• It it preferred that all structures are secured using cement blocks or sandbags. No tying or securing objective to fixtures (i.e., light poles, benches, utility cabinets, fire hydrants, etc.) or greenery (i.e., trees or shrubs) is permitted. Objects that pierce the ground may be used upon prior approval only. 
• The applicant will be charged for any damage resulting from unauthorized set up methods. 
• Pop-up tents, gazebos or temporary shade structures are allowed for day use only. They must be properly anchored and removed during non-operational hours. 
• Larger commercial tents must meet National Fire Protect Association Standards. A manufacturers' label must be affixed to the tent for inspections. 

You may have a portable propane patio heater(s) or propane tabletop fire pit(s) at your Vending Site. However, the device must meet the regulations outlined by the Town and must be approved under the issuance of a Vending Permit. Patio heaters and tabletop fire pits must be certified by the CSA, ULC, or other recognized certification body. Patio heaters and tabletop fire pits and the placement of them must follow the criteria below and the site plan submitted with the application should indicate the following: 

• Fire extinguishers must be located in the Vending Site and must be easily accessible. 
• Patio heaters and tabletop fire pits must be located in outdoor areas only. 
• Patio heaters and tabletop fire pits are positioned in compliance with manufacturers' instructions for required clearances above, around, and underneath the heaters and fire pits. 
• Patio heaters and tabletop fire pits do not obstruct doors, fire exits, firefighting equipment (i.e., fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, or fire department connections) and are properly distanced from building air intakes. 
• Required distancing is maintained from combustible materials such as umbrellas, awnings, walls, tablecloths, paper products, decorations, etc. 
• Heaters and tabletop fire pits are placed on a level, stable hard surface, not grass or an uneven surface, to avoid being knocked over. 
• Heaters and tabletop fire pits are not positioned near the edge of an elevated platform. 

You may have portable wood burning fire pit(s) at your Sidewalk Sale, they will not be permitted for a Vending Cart, Sidewalk Café, or Parking Patio. The wood burning firepit must meet regulations outlined by the Town and must be approved under the issuance of a Vending Permit. The wood burning fire pits must be portable, raised a minimum of 15.24 cm (6 inches) off the ground, and must be placed on/over a non-combustible base, such as patio bricks, sidewalk blocks, asphalt, or gravel. An area of 3.0 m (10 ft.) around the fire pit must remain free of any structures or vegetation. Fire extinguishers must be placed in the area for the Sidewalk Sale and must be easily accessible. 

For more information, please visit: https://albertahealthservices.ca/default.aspx or contact Alberta Health Services - North Zone, Public Health Inspector at 780-849-5101. 

For these establishments, you need a license issued by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). For more information, please visit: https://aglc.ca or contact 1-800-272-8876. 

Please note that the AGLC may require up to 6-8 weeks to process an application. 

Music may be provided at Sidewalk Cafés and Parking Patios only and is not permitted for Sidewalk Sales or Vending Carts. 

If you play, perform, or authorize the performance of copyright-protected music in any public setting, or if you communicate those works to the public, you need permission of the Copyright owners. It's the law. 

If you apply to the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) and pay the appropriate tariff(s) as set by the Copyright Board, you are entitled to use music from throughout the world as well as from Canada. You need a license whether the music is live or played on a CD player, radio, jukebox, video, karaoke, band, etc. You also need a license whether the live performers are paid or not. If you are on municipal property, you must apply for and pay the appropriate SOCAN fee(s). SOCAN is happy to answer any questions about the way you may be using music and the tariffs involved. 

Please go to https://www.socan.com for appropriate forms or call 1-855-957-6226.