Casual Trading Licence

You must apply for licence to Laois County Council if you are a casual trader and you want to sell goods in a public place or designated trading area.

It is an offence under this Act to trade without a valid casual trading licence. 

Casual trading is regulated by the Casual Trading Act 1995, as amended, together with local Casual Trading Bye-laws. Casual trading is divided into: 

  • Designated Bye Law Area trading and 
  • Special Event trading

Casual Trading designated areas

Laois County Council licenses casual traders to sell goods in designated trading areas. Designated areas include the following:

Casual Trading in Portlaoise

There is casual trading in Portlaoise every Friday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm in Peppers Lane, off Lyster Square. 

Please note that parking is not permitted in that market area between the hours of 8.30am and 3.30pm on Fridays.  Penalties will be incurred for vehicles parked in this area during the time stated above.

The Farmer's Market is held every Friday from 9am to 3pm in Pepper’s Lane, Portlaoise.

What are the fees?

There are two fee categories.

  1. Category 1 –  Bay 3m x 3m costs €250 per year
  2. Category 2 –  Bay less than 3m x 3m costs €150 per year

How can I apply?

Expressions of interest in applying for a casual trading licence can be made by 

  1. Completing the Expression of Interest Form below 
  2. Emailing the completed form to roadsadmin@laoiscoco.ie or by posting it to the Roads Department, Laois County Council, County Hall, Portlaoise, Co. Laois  R32 EHP9.

Note: The acceptance of an application by Laois County Council is not a guarantee of the granting of a licence 

Related documents 

The related documents for Portlaoise Casual Trading Bye Laws are available directly below.

Casual Trading in Stradbally

The location of this designated trading area is The Market House, Stradbally. This market may take place between 10 am to 5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays during wintertime and 10 am to 6 pm on Friday and Saturday during summertime.  

What are the fees?

There are two fee categories.

  1. Category 1 – Food/Fruit and veg costs €120 per year
  2. Category 2 – Craft or other items €60 per year

How can I apply?

Expressions of interest in applying for a casual trading licence can be made by 

  1. Completing the Expression of Interest Form below 
  2. Emailing the completed form to roadsadmin@laoiscoco.ie or by posting it to the Roads Department, Laois County Council, County Hall, Portlaoise, Co. Laois  R32 EHP9.

Note: The acceptance of an application by Laois County Council is not a guarantee of the granting of a licence 

Related documents 

The related documents for Stradbally Casual Trading Bye Laws are available directly below.

Casual Trading Frequently Asked Questions  

Further information

For further information please email roadsadmin@laoiscoco.ie or phone 057 868 9348.