street vendors

Which island? There are fishermen selling from the back of their trucks here on STT but I have no idea if they have or need to have licenses.

STT.

Hello,

In general I think vendors are supposed to have a business license. The Dept. of Licensing website list "Itinerant Vendor License" as an application option. Whether there are some that don't have a license... probably.

For the most part there are designated areas for vendors. In addition there are a few spots that just seem to be used as a roadside market area on a regular basis or during special holidays. For example around Valentines and Mothers Day on St. Thomas some vendors set up tables with flowers, bears etc. on the side of the parking lot/road at Fort Mylner shopping center. Perhaps they get permission from the shopping center's management, not sure.

There are fishermen on each island and some do sell out of the back of their trucks and at designated fish market areas. Commercial fishers are supposed to have a license.

At beaches... On St. Thomas there are a couple beaches with vendors. At Ritz there is a sand art person but they have a designated station so they likely have an agreement with the resort. At Magens there is a hair braiding booth next to the concession - they are the only one at that beach that I have noticed and again likely have permission from the Magens Bay Authority and the folks that run the concession. And then at Coki there are several vendors, mostly in booths and they rent those spots. Not sure what the rules are concerning vending on beaches. The resort beaches are public, but to access them you usually pass through the resort so their security people would likely ask someone vending on the beach what they were doing. You could call the resort's and see what they say.

In shopping areas, like downtown Charlotte Amalie there is a designated vendor's plaza where vendor's rent spots. You aren't allowed to vend randomly through the town.

Best bet would be to contact the Dept. of Licensing http://www.dlca.gov.vi/index.htm to find out about licensing and other regulations/rules for vendors.

--Islander