City rules
| City | What you need | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Motorized Refreshment Vehicle business licence first, then a Mobile Food Vending Permit for approved zones; each driver needs a Refreshment Vehicle Driver licence; $2 million liability insurance. Since 15 June 2026 trucks may operate up to 12 hours a day. | City of Toronto, Food trucks; City of Toronto, Refreshment vehicle driver; City of Toronto, street vending bylaw review |
| Vancouver | Roaming permit outside downtown (downtown stationary permits not available for 2026); City business licence, health permit, insurance; stay 100 m from restaurants selling similar food. | City of Vancouver, roaming food vending permit; City of Vancouver, downtown stationary permit |
| Calgary | Municipal mobile food vendor licence per unit; commercial plate; $2 million liability insurance naming the City; separate right-of-way permit to park on streets ($117.90 + GST per month, up to two months). | City of Calgary, mobile food vendor licence; City of Calgary, food truck right-of-way permit |
| Montreal | Since 2019 the city no longer runs daily street-food sites; street food mostly operates at authorized events and through boroughs. MAPAQ food permit still applies. | 24 heures, 14 mars 2019; Québec.ca, permis de restauration (MAPAQ) |
Health permits
Health rules are provincial and enforced by local health authorities (NJC, food inspection authorities by province). Expect a plan review of the truck and an inspection before your permit; many cities ask for a commissary or production kitchen. See the province table in our cloud kitchen guide.
Running the food truck business
- Post your daily location on Google and social media.
- Take pre-orders for pickup so the line moves; a QR code on the truck links to your ordering page.
- Track food cost per item; see food cost formulas.
Where Chefzi fits
Chefzi is a commission-free online ordering system for Canadian restaurants: your own ordering page in English and French, for a flat $35 a month. Customers can order ahead from a QR code on the truck and pick up without waiting. If that sounds useful, book a 15-minute demo and we will show you your own menu in it. No pressure if you are just researching.
Sources
City of Toronto, Food trucks; City of Toronto, Refreshment vehicle driver; City of Toronto, street vending bylaw review; City of Vancouver, roaming food vending permit; City of Vancouver, downtown stationary permit; City of Calgary, mobile food vendor licence; City of Calgary, food truck right-of-way permit; 24 heures, 14 mars 2019; Québec.ca, permis de restauration (MAPAQ); NJC, food inspection authorities by province
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence for a food truck in Canada?
Yes: a city licence or vending permit, and a health permit under provincial rules. Requirements differ by city.
How much insurance does a food truck need?
Toronto and Calgary both require $2 million in liability insurance.
Can food trucks operate in Montreal every day?
Not on city-designated daily sites since 2019; most street food runs at authorized events.
How much does a food truck licence cost in Toronto?
The City of Toronto lists a $286.47 application fee plus a $1,177.67 licence fee for a motorized refreshment vehicle owner licence ($1,464.14 total), and a separate mobile food vending permit to sell on streets: $3,896.58 for 6 months, $5,844.88 for 9 or $7,793.15 for 12, HST included (City of Toronto, Food trucks, checked 27 October 2026).