Checked
Food trucks and park vendor permits in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Kingston requires a licence for food or drink sales from stands, carts, kiosks and refreshment vehicles. Park vending also uses a scored permit process rather than first-come allocation.
Key information
Kingston requires a licence for food or drink sales from stands, carts, kiosks and refreshment vehicles. Park vending also uses a scored permit process rather than first-come allocation.
On this page
Business licence before selling
Apply through MyKingston for the food vendor or food stand licence. Contact the City for an alternative format. A park location permit is not a substitute for the business licence.
Describe the actual cart, kiosk or vehicle and intended site. Other public health, event and site requirements may apply beyond the food-truck overview.
Sources: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Park selection
The Park Refreshment Vehicle Policy prioritizes healthy or certified organic choices, local food, sustainable practices and accessibility. Licensing and the public health dietitian team review the Healthy Food Scoring Form.
Applications are accepted year-round, but the City awards permits in April to the top-scoring March applicants. Places are not allocated simply by order of receipt. The number and vehicle types at each site are in the application.
Sources: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Complete designated-location scope
The source names Breakwater Park, City Park 1, City Park 2, Confederation Park, Grass Creek Park, Lake Ontario Park, Macdonald Park, Memorial Centre Park and Victoria Park. These are the nine named site labels across eight parks, not a list of every possible food truck address.
Monthly and annual park permits are offered. Other locations can be considered on request. The overview does not give current site fees or promise that each listed site is currently vacant.
Sources: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Quick reference
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| General selling licence | Stand, cart, kiosk or refreshment vehicle |
| Park selection | Scored healthy-food and operating framework |
| Main allocation | March submissions; permits awarded in April |
| Term | Monthly or annual |
| Other locations | May be considered on request |
Sources: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
What to do next
- License
Apply for the correct food-selling business licence.
- Score and locate
Prepare the healthy-food form and site choices.
- Confirm permit
Wait for selection and complete separate approvals.
Sources: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
All eight parks named for vendor permits
City Park has two site labels, City Park 1 and City Park 2, grouped under one park below. Maps locate the named parks only. They do not identify approved vendor bays, accessible entrances or current vacancies.
Breakwater Park
Kingston, Ontario; assigned vending bay must be confirmed
A named location in the City’s park refreshment vehicle programme. Monthly or annual permission is subject to the scored application and site availability. Check the application for the actual bay and allowed vehicle type.
- Permit
- Park refreshment vehicle programme
- Allocation
- Scored selection; not guaranteed vacant
City Park
Kingston, Ontario; assigned vending bay must be confirmed
The City lists two separate vending-site labels here, City Park 1 and City Park 2. Check the application for vehicle types, site count and the assigned bay.
- Permit
- Park refreshment vehicle programme
- Allocation
- Scored selection; not guaranteed vacant
Confederation Park
Kingston, Ontario; assigned vending bay must be confirmed
A named location in the City’s park refreshment vehicle programme. Monthly or annual permission is subject to the scored application and site availability. Check the application for the actual bay and allowed vehicle type.
- Permit
- Park refreshment vehicle programme
- Allocation
- Scored selection; not guaranteed vacant
Grass Creek Park
Kingston, Ontario; assigned vending bay must be confirmed
A named location in the City’s park refreshment vehicle programme. Monthly or annual permission is subject to the scored application and site availability. Check the application for the actual bay and allowed vehicle type.
- Permit
- Park refreshment vehicle programme
- Allocation
- Scored selection; not guaranteed vacant
Lake Ontario Park
Kingston, Ontario; assigned vending bay must be confirmed
A named location in the City’s park refreshment vehicle programme. Monthly or annual permission is subject to the scored application and site availability. Check the application for the actual bay and allowed vehicle type.
- Permit
- Park refreshment vehicle programme
- Allocation
- Scored selection; not guaranteed vacant
Macdonald Park
Kingston, Ontario; assigned vending bay must be confirmed
A named location in the City’s park refreshment vehicle programme. Monthly or annual permission is subject to the scored application and site availability. Check the application for the actual bay and allowed vehicle type.
- Permit
- Park refreshment vehicle programme
- Allocation
- Scored selection; not guaranteed vacant
Memorial Centre Park
Kingston, Ontario; assigned vending bay must be confirmed
A named location in the City’s park refreshment vehicle programme. Monthly or annual permission is subject to the scored application and site availability. Check the application for the actual bay and allowed vehicle type.
- Permit
- Park refreshment vehicle programme
- Allocation
- Scored selection; not guaranteed vacant
Victoria Park
Kingston, Ontario; assigned vending bay must be confirmed
A named location in the City’s park refreshment vehicle programme. Monthly or annual permission is subject to the scored application and site availability. Check the application for the actual bay and allowed vehicle type.
- Permit
- Park refreshment vehicle programme
- Allocation
- Scored selection; not guaranteed vacant
10 useful questions
Do kiosks need a food-selling licence?
Yes. Kiosks are included with stands, carts and refreshment vehicles.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Does park permission replace business licensing?
No. The two permissions serve different purposes.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Are park sites first-come?
No. Applications are scored.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
What menu choices are prioritized?
Healthy, certified organic and local choices are among the stated priorities.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Are sustainability and access considered?
Yes. Both are listed policy priorities.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
When is the main annual allocation?
Permits are granted in April to top-scoring March applicants.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Can I submit outside March?
The City says applications are accepted year-round.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Are only annual park permits offered?
No. Monthly and annual permits are listed.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Can I propose a different location?
Yes. Other locations may be considered on request.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Does the page guarantee a vacancy at each park?
No. Check site numbers and types through the actual application.
Source: City of Kingston: Food trucks and park vendor permits
Official information and forms
This guide covers the City of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Other Kingston communities and the surrounding counties have separate services. Fees and active service notices can change. Use the linked official page for the application or latest notice.