Casual trading licence
Waterford City and County Council.
What a coffee or food trailer needs to trade legally in Co. Waterford — the published fees, where you are allowed to pitch, how far ahead to apply, and who to talk to.
Licensing authority
- Authority
- Waterford City and County Council
- Covers
- Co. Waterford · seat: Waterford city
- Address
- Menapia Building, The Mall, Waterford
- Phone
- 0761 102 020
- Casual trading page
- waterfordcouncil.ie/business/casual-trading ↗
- Checked
- 2026-08-01
Fees
| Licence / pitch | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard location Per location, per the 2024 licence schedule | €350 |
| Abbeyside and Youghal Bridge Premium locations; some Greenway pitches are also charged above the standard rate | €1,250 each |
Read from Waterford City and County Council’s own published material on 2026-08-01. Councils revise fees annually — confirm the current rate with the council before you budget.
Trading in Waterford
The Waterford Greenway has changed the trading map here — the 46km route from Waterford to Dungarvan generates steady year-round cycling traffic, and the council prices the busiest trailheads well above the standard rate. Fee figures are from the 2024 licence schedule; confirm the current year before budgeting.
The rules that apply everywhere in Ireland
These come from the Casual Trading Act 1995 and apply in all 31 council areas, including Waterford.
- Casual trading in the Republic of Ireland is governed by the Casual Trading Act 1995. Selling food or goods in a public place without a licence from the relevant local authority is an offence under section 3.
- You apply to the local authority for the area where you want to TRADE — not where the trailer is stored or where the business is registered. Trading across three councils means three separate licences.
- Applications must be made at least 30 days before the first day you intend to trade (section 4). Several councils run a single annual window instead, so a late application can mean waiting a full year.
- Each council makes its own bye-laws under the Act. Those bye-laws set the fees, define the designated trading areas, and fix the permitted hours — which is why the numbers on this page differ so much between neighbouring counties.
- Casual trading is only lawful in a designated trading area. Trading in a public place that has not been designated is not covered by a licence, however valid that licence is elsewhere.
- Under section 4(2A), inserted by section 141 of the Finance Act 1996, the council notifies the Revenue Commissioners of the name, address and tax reference number of every licence holder. Most councils ask for a tax clearance certificate up front.
- A casual trading licence is separate from your food-business obligations. A food trailer must also be registered with the HSE Environmental Health Service on behalf of the FSAI, normally at least 28 days before you start trading.
- Some sales are exempt from the Act, including growers selling their own produce such as soft fruit and loose-skinned potatoes. Selling prepared food from a trailer is not exempt.
Questions about trading in Waterford
How much is a casual trading licence from Waterford City and County Council?
Standard location: €350 (Per location, per the 2024 licence schedule). Abbeyside and Youghal Bridge: €1,250 each (Premium locations; some Greenway pitches are also charged above the standard rate). Verified 2026-08-01 — confirm the current year with the council before budgeting.
Where can I trade in Waterford with a casual trading licence?
Waterford City and County Council designates its trading areas in its casual trading bye-laws. Ask the council for the current list of designated areas and which bays are actually free before you apply — in several councils the good pitches are held long-term.
How long does it take to get a casual trading licence in Waterford?
Apply at least 30 days before your first trading day, as required by section 4 of the Casual Trading Act 1995. Processing typically takes several weeks, and some councils only accept applications in one annual window — check before you plan around a start date.
Do I need anything else besides the licence to run a food trailer in Waterford?
Yes. You must register the food business with the HSE Environmental Health Service on behalf of the FSAI, normally at least 28 days before trading. You will also need public liability insurance (€6.5m is the common minimum), an RGI certificate for any LPG appliance, and a tax clearance certificate.