Vendor’s License

Vending Specifics: Locations, Cart and Signage, and General Prohibitions

Vending in Portsmouth requires a local permit. A vendor is anyone traveling by foot, bicycle, vehicle or other conveyance, from place to place, from house to house, or from street to street, carrying, conveying, or transporting goods, wares, merchandise, food items, farm products or provisions, and offering and exposing the same for sale.

There are limited spaces for vending from a fixed location on City property.  Those vending spaces and limitations are identified below.

Vending (Hawkers and Peddlers) Application (PDF) 

1. Approved Vending Locations

There are currently three designated vending locations on public sidewalks within the Downtown Business District that are available to licensed hawkers and peddlers:

  1. In front of 8 Market Square
  2. Outside the parking garage on Hanover Street
  3. At a location to be determined on the Vaughan Mall

All other locations within the Downtown Business District are not permitted for vending activity.

Picture of area in front of 8 Market Street

8 Market Square

Vending space on brick sidewalk on Hanover Street in front of Parking Garage

Hanover Street

Availability of Spaces:

  • Locations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Spaces may not be reserved.

2. Cart and Signage Requirements

Cart Dimensions

  • Vending carts shall not exceed 52 inches in width and 48 inches in length, excluding the tongue of the cart.

diagram of permitted cart size

Permitted Equipment

In addition to the vending cart, vendors may have:

  • One chair 
  • One cooler
  • One hand truck
  • One trash receptacle (required)

Signage

  • One A-frame sign is permitted.
  • The sign shall:
    • Not exceed 4 feet in height
    • Be placed only over the tongue of the cart

3. General Prohibitions and Operational Requirements

Location Restrictions

Vending or hawking is prohibited in all municipal parking areas, including:

  • Metered parking spaces
  • Public parking lots
  • Parking garage areas
  • Vending is not allowed in Prescott Park or any other City park without express written permission from the Park Director.

Cleanliness and Maintenance

  • Vendors are responsible for maintaining their area in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

4. Licensing Requirements

Food Vendors

  • Must obtain a license from the Portsmouth Health Department prior to applying for a Vending (Hawkers & Peddlers) License.

All Vendors

  • Must obtain a Vending (Hawkers & Peddlers) License through the City Clerk’s Office prior to operating on City property by filling out this application form.