PORT HOOD: The council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness recently passed and adopted a new county-wide Mobile Vending Bylaw during its March 20 meeting.
The motion was approved the day after the bylaw’s public hearing, held in the council chambers.
Commenting on the public hearing, Chief Administrative Officer Keith MacDonald noted, “We had really good feedback,” and added that staff and council carefully reviewed recommendations from vendors presented during the hearing.
Among the amendments to the bylaw, council approved a provision allowing mobile vendors to sell fruits and vegetables grown in Nova Scotia.
“That was brought up yesterday, and if council is in agreement, we can make sure that amendment takes place,” MacDonald stated.
The motion was unanimously passed and adopted.
The new bylaw aims to ensure mobile vendors provide a high standard of customer service, maintain their facilities and surrounding areas, and foster a fair and competitive business environment within the municipality.
Certain activities and vendors are exempt from the bylaw, including: vending from a stationary unit on the sidewalk in front of the vendor’s own commercial or retail business; selling fruits, vegetables, and other farm products harvested within Inverness County; vending uncooked seafood harvested from the sea, such as lobster, fish, or oysters; individuals aged 18 or younger operating their own vending stand or cart, such as lemonade or hotdog stands; and individuals busking within the municipality.