Sylvan Lake

Vendors may offer the following goods or services

• Artist/Photography Vendor: 
  • sells or distributes their original artwork or photography, including creating and teaching artwork and photography onsite
• Flower/Plant Vendor:
  • sells or distributes fresh cut or potted flowers, trees, or plants
• Food Cart Vendor:
  • sells or distributes food or beverages other than fresh fruit and vegetables and is propelled by muscular power
• Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Vendor:
  • sells or distributes fresh fruit and vegetables
• Handcrafted Goods Vendor:
  • sells or distributes their original handcrafted goods
• Leisure & Fitness Class Vendor: 
  • offers an organized activity led by an instructor including paddleboard yoga. Does not include sporting activities
• Mobile Food Truck:
  • sells or distributes food or beverages other than fresh fruit and vegetables. Units are vehicle propelled by any power other than muscular power
• Recreational Vendor: 
  • provides recreational activities and/or equipment for rent, excluding water recreational activities or equipment
• Water Recreational Vendor: 
  • provides water recreational activities and/or equipment for rent to be utilized in the water

Vending is permitted within designated public park spaces. Applicants may suggest their preferred location on the Permit application form when applying.

Eligible park spaces are designated as either a:

• Regional Park
• Community Park
• Linear Park, or
• Neighbourhood Park (Leisure and Fitness Class vendors only)

See a map of all Sylvan Lake park spaces here.

A specific vending location will be agreed upon by the vendor and the Town of Sylvan Lake prior to the issue of the Mobile Vending Permit and will take into consideration public safety, the needs of the applicant, and impact to the park and other users in the park space.

The cost of the Mobile Vending Permit is listed as below:

In addition to the Mobile Vending Permit cost, all vendors will also require general liability insurance, and a Town of Sylvan Lake business license. Other costs may vary depending on vendor activity type and preferences.

All costs are subject to change at any time as per the Fees and Charges Bylaw. 

Vendors must comply with the following regulations at all times:

• Operate under the terms of the Permit
  • Display the Mobile Vending Permit at all times
  • Only carry on the type of business for which the Permit was issued
  • Only operate in the location designated on the Mobile Vending Permit
  • Operate only between the hours of 5am and 9pm on permitted dates
  • Do not operate on a day for which a black out date has been issued for that location
• Operate safely for everybody
  • Orient the unit towards the sidewalk traffic and away from streets
  • Never leave the unit unattended
  • Do not create sight obstructions for pedestrians or vehicles
  • Do not obstruct or hinder pedestrian traffic
  • Do not hinder doorways, transit zones, fire hydrants, driveways, loading zones, or emergency access
  • Do not serve customers in their vehicles
  • Do not actively solicit or harass anyone
• Operate in a low-impact way
  • Comply with all Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw regulations including those related to pets, smoking, litter, pegging into the ground, barbecues, and fuel sources
  • Do not impact the surrounding built and natural environment, including shoreline, turf, vegetation, and habitat
  • Ensure any generators are reasonably quiet, fumes are vented, and are not causing disturbance
  • Provide receptacles for waste and recycling
  • Regularly collect and dispose of any refuse within 6m of the unit
  • Maintain the unit in a sanitary, well-ventilated and clean condition
  • Food vendors must place mats underneath the unit and clean up any grease or condiments

Certain dates are closed to mobile vending due to special events or facility rentals. Please review the list of blackout dates.

Step #1

Plan out your business idea and gather as much supporting documentation as possible. Supporting documentation may include:

• All vendors must submit:
  • Town of Sylvan Lake Indemnification Agreement
  • $2 million in general liability insurance with the Town of Sylvan Lake named as an Additional Insured
  • Town of Sylvan Lake Business License, as appropriate
  • TEDI Program worksheet
  • Photos of the unit, any signage, and a layout diagram of the vending area with measurements

• Additional documentation will vary by vendor type and may include:
  • Alberta Health Services Food Permit (Food Truck and Food Cart vendors only)
  • Alberta Health Services Facility Inspection Report (Food Truck and Food Cart vendors only)
  • Town of Sylvan Lake Fire Inspection (vendor with fuel sources, as appropriate)
  • Vehicle Insurance (Food Trucks only)

Step #2

Submit your online Permit application form with as much supporting documentation as possible.

The Town of Sylvan Lake will follow up by email with any further requests for information or missing documentation.

Step #3

The Town of Sylvan Lake will review complete applications and award Permits. Approved vendors will be emailed a notice of approval and an invoice for the Permit.

Step #4

Following receipt of payment, the Permit will be emailed to the vendor. Once a vendor has received their Permit, they may begin vending under the terms of the Permit.

• Food trucks must meet propane safety requirements
• All vendors must be temporary and must remove all equipment from the site completely at the end of each business day
• Vending spots are outdoors and are subject to the elements. This may affect customer traffic or vendor operations
• Vending spots are designated but not reserved. Depending on where your spot is located, you may want to show up early to claim your space. Some park spaces and parking areas see heavy user traffic at particular times of the year
• Parking is not provided or reserved for Vendors. The Pay Parking Program may affect certain areas, including the beachfront. Find out more information about Pay Parking here
  • Vendors who are residents of the Town of Sylvan Lake can obtain a residents parking pass by registering their license plates here.
  •  Vendors who are non-residents of the Town of Sylvan Lake will be required to pay parking fees. A seasonal pay parking pass can be obtained. See pay parking map and costs here  
• Be prepared for set up and take down. Consider loading and unloading needs, pedestrian and vehicle traffic in your loading and set up space, the weight of your set up, how much help you’ll need, and how to safeguard your items in a public space when locating your vendor booth.
• Vendors are subject to all Town of Sylvan Lake Parks bylaws at all times including the Parks and Open Spaces Bylaw and and Land Use Bylaw. These include that:
  • Pets are permitted only on paved surfaces in the beachfront area and are not permitted on grass or sand areas. Pets are to be leashed in all public parks except the Dog Park.
  • Alcohol consumption is not permitted in public parks
  • Smoking is not permitted in public parks
  • Mobile vending activities must not block emergency or public access and pathways within a park. All vendor units must be oriented to face pedestrian traffic flows
  • Erecting temporary signage outside of the designated vendor space is not permitted
  • Driving vehicles in a park space is not permitted
  • Pegging into the ground is not permitted
  • Charcoal BBQs are not permitted
  • Amplified speaker systems are not permitted
  • Mobile vendors are responsible for taking all litter and waste away with them each day and for proper disposal

For questions, contact the Tourism Marketing & Development Coordinator at nbhola@sylvanlake.ca

A busker is a person or group who provides street performances, for the public by playing an instrument, singing, dancing, juggling, miming, performing magic or providing other entertainment usually while soliciting for a donation and further includes an Artist who is creating drawings, paintings or sculptural artwork at the site

• Centennial Park, within the boundaries of the park
• Sylvan Lake Park, within the boundaries of the park
• Lakefront Park, within the boundaries of the park
• Lighthouse Park, within the boundaries of the park
• Lions Park, within the boundaries of the park
• Lakeshore Drive, as designated by Busker Area Signage (see blue dot on the map)
• 50 Street, as designated by Busker Area Signage (see blue dot on the map)

Apply online at anytime, for free

You application will be approved and you will be issued a busker identification number.

• Access to electrical outlets for sound equipment is not guaranteed
• Charging costs for performances is not permitted. Buskers are able to collect donations during performances
• Stages and large scale sound systems are not permitted through busking and may require a different permit type

For questions, contact the Culture Coordinator at tbradshaw@sylvanlake.ca or 403 887 1192.