Mobile trading and hawkers

The Environmental Health section of the DCC is regularly approached by people wishing to sell food or other goods on the street or from a vehicle. The Mobile Trading Bylaw was authorised by the DCC in 2004 and covers hawking and mobile shops.

Although hawkers and mobile shops differ by way of their selling methods, both require a mobile trading licence and the same conditions apply to each.

A hawker is a person who sells goods door to door
A mobile shop operator sells goods from a vehicle or stall on the road

Conditions of a mobile trading licence

The conditions below apply to all mobile trading licences. Other conditions relating to trading from particular places, at particular times or in particular goods or services, may also be placed upon your licence if we deem it necessary.

Trading Limits

Unless permission has been applied for and granted from the appropriate DCC departments, holders of mobile trading licences may not trade in the following areas:

Within 300 metres of another premises selling similar products
Within 50 metres of any intersection or pedestrian crossing where people visiting the site may be placed in danger
Parks and reserves, including car parks and roads in reserves
Restricted roads (George St, Princes St and the Octagon)

You may not stand or remain stationary on any one site for more than two hours, or stand on any one site more than twice in any eight hour period.

Food Preparation

If food is to be sold, it must be prepared either in the mobile shop or from a base kitchen registered under the Health (Registration of Premises) Regulations 1966. You may not prepare food in your home.

Food handlers, base kitchens and the vehicle/stall must comply with the conditions and requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulations 1974. We can give you more information about these Regulations if you need it.

Mobile traders handling food are subject to the DCC Food Safety Bylaw, which requires all food handlers to be trained in food hygiene. A copy of the Bylaw is available on request. The Bylaw also covers grading and the closure of food premises.

Getting a mobile trading licence

If you wish to apply for a mobile trading licence you will need to speak with Environmental Health and collect an application form.

If you intend to sell food, we will inspect your vehicle/stall, and/or base kitchen, to ensure they meet the requirements, before you can begin to trade. Your completed application form will need to include two testimonials. When you return it to us, we are required to contact the Land Transport & Safety Authority and/or NZ Police to check for any convictions which may impact on your credibility to hold a Mobile Trading Licence.

Once you have received your mobile trading licence, you are ready to trade. Your licence will be valid for one year and renewed annually on payment of the fee, if you abide by the conditions of the licence. If food is being sold then an inspection of the stall will be required before the licence can be renewed. Your licence must be carried on you at all times while trading.

Fees

An annual registration fee is charged for your mobile trading licence and if a base kitchen is required for food preparation, it too will require annual registration. You may need to discuss your plans with other DCC departments, such as Planning or Building Control. If any extra costs are incurred from these departments, they will be charged separately.

Last reviewed: 19 Mar 2009 11:35am