In order to sell most anything from a vehicle, push-cart, wagon or other temporary accommodations in a City-owned right of way, such as a public park or on the grounds of the Municipal Center, you'll need an approved peddler's permit. The application fee is $25, but additional fees and permits may apply depending on what is being sold.

A stationary peddler is allowed on a property for six months if it is allowed at a specific location and cannot go back to the same location for a year.

A mobile peddler must move every 15 minutes and can only be in a 25-mph speed limit zone. Mobile peddlers are required to get a permit through the Police Department.

Both stationary and mobile peddlers must obtain a business license and are not allowed at the Resort Area.

Peddler & Solicitor Information

• All peddlers must obtain a solicitor permit from the Police Department, which will complete a background check on the applicant before forwarding the solicitor permit to the
  Commissioner of the Revenue’s office for issuance.
• The solicitor permit will be issued to the person who will do the actual soliciting.
• Applicants must be 18 or older. If the individual in under the age of 18, the applicant must apply with a parent. The business license will be issued to the parent and the applicant.
• Businesses with W-2 employees hold the peddler’s license and each employee soliciting requires a solicitor permit. Solicitor permits will not be issued if the business license for the company is not current.
• All peddler licenses are nonrefundable, are not subject to prorating, and are not transferable.
• Decals are issued by the Commissioner of the Revenue and should be affixed and displayed by the owner on the left-hand side of the cart, dray, wagon, automobile, truck or pushcart or other hand-propelled vehicle.

Definitions, Fees & Additional Requirements 

General Merchandise Peddlers

One who engages in “peddling goods, wares, merchandise, or products of any description.”

• $500 license fee.
• Zoning approval required.

Mobile Canteen

One who engages in “peddling bottled soft drinks, hot dogs and wrapped sandwiches from a cart, wagon,
truck, automobile, basket or tray.”

• $300 license fee
• Trustee Tax for Meals, a tax rate of 5.5% of gross is remitted monthly to the City of Virginia Beach. In addition, the applicant should register with the Virginia Department of Taxation.
• Health Department registration required.
• Zoning approval may be required.

Confection Peddler

One who engages in “peddling ice cream and other ice confectionaries, candies and confections.”

• $50 license fee.
• Proof of insurance required for licensed vehicle.
• Trustee Tax for Meals, a tax rate of 5.5% of gross is remitted monthly to the City of Virginia Beach. In addition, the applicant should register with the Virginia Department of Taxation.
• Department of Agriculture registration required for hand scooped ice cream, ices, and slushy drink peddlers.
• Zoning approval may be required.

Perishable Peddler

One who engages in “peddling market produce, coal, wood, ice, fresh meats, fruits, seafoods or nuts, when sold from carts, drays, wagons, automobiles, trucks or pushcarts or other hand-propelled vehicles."

• $50 license fee.
• Zoning approval may be required.

Wholesale Peddler

One who “as a peddler, shall peddle goods, wares or merchandise by selling and delivering the same at the same time, to licensed dealers or retailers, at other than a definite place of business operated by the
seller.”

• $100 license fee per vehicle.

Notable Peddler Restrictions 

Instances in which peddling is prohibited: 

• In or along any street with a posted speed limit greater than 25 mph, or within 25 feet of any intersection.
• Within any one block for more than 15 minutes before moving to another block, nor can you repeat the same block within any 8-hour period. 

Exceptions to the above include sales or exchanges at the Virginia Beach Farmer's Market or any other commercial enterprise operated under franchise agreement or permit authorized by the City Manager.

Sales on Private Property 

Sales conducted on private property adjacent to the public right-of-way, as well as the property owner who allows the sales, are subject to the following regulations:

• No sales or exchanges within 50 feet of the closest edge of the nearest sidewalk or street pavement.
• Peddlers must have written permission from the property owner and must also ensure that there is adequate space for the safe circulation of traffic in an area that must be at least 800 square feet.
• Sales from vacant lots is prohibited. 
• In addition to a City Manager approved peddlers permit, Zoning Administration approval of the intended plat or site plan is required prior to sales or exchanges occurring on private property adjacent to the public-right-of-way.
• A copy of the permit issued by the City Manager or his designee as well as a copy of the approved plat or site plan and the written permission of the property owner must be kept on site.

Exceptions to the above include outdoor sales and exchanges that are part of a brick-and-mortar retail sales location, nor does it apply to farm stands in agricultural areas, or garage sales in residential areas.