Market and markets

The various actors in the market square are an essential part of the city's vitality and traditions. These rules create the conditions for pleasant, safe and smooth market operations. Market traders and other operators undertake to comply with these rules, the market place rental agreement terms and conditions as well as applicable laws and official regulations. Compliance with the rules
promotes the community spirit of the market and ensures that the market remains safe and pleasant as a meeting place for everyone.
1. General provisions
● Quality of operations: The operations carried out at the market must be of high quality and take into account the environment, customers and other market traders.
● Market management: The urban development committee is responsible for managing the market area, which establishes the market regulations, market space rents and electricity charges charged to market traders. Urban development services take care of the rental of market spaces and the arrangements for market trading, as well as the maintenance of the market area. The market supervisor supervises market trading.
● Applicable regulations: The market operates in compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and official regulations, such as the Food Act, the Public Order Act, the Waste Act and environmental protection regulations, in addition to these market regulations.
● Applicability: These rules apply to all temporary sales, demonstrations and event activities in addition to traditional market trading.
2. Obligations of the market trader
● Market vendors are required to display their sales tables and stalls with their own clearly visible name and contact information.
● Sales points must be suitable for the market environment and cityscape.
● When requested, market traders must present the market supervisor and authorities with a receipt for the venue fee, business permit and certificates of origin of the product being sold.
● A market vendor is entitled to keep the sales canopy or similar needed for their sales, after entering into a written agreement on the use of the market space at their sales location.
● If necessary, the market stonework must be protected from contamination (e.g. grease and oil). The discharge of washing water into the market area's stormwater drains is not permitted.
3. Operations and products
Allowed products and services
The following products and activities may be sold at the market:
● Food: A market trader's food business must be registered with the local food control authority or must apply for approval before commencing operations, with certain exceptions. The business must comply with food legislation and official guidelines, such as the Finnish Food Authority's guidelines on the operation of mobile food premises.
● Flowers and plants: Sales cover flowers, ornamental plants, garden products and nursery products.
● Seasonal products: For example, Christmas trees and wreaths.
● Grocery: Products other than food, such as textiles and household items.
● Demonstration activity
● Events: By arrangement.
Alcohol sales
The sale of alcohol may not be the main purpose, but sales are permitted at market squares and events as part of the operations of the sales points, provided that the seller has the necessary valid official permits for the serving of alcoholic beverages. The operation must comply with the Alcohol Act and the instructions of the authorities. The seller must ensure, at his own expense, the necessary supervision of the serving area and the prevention of littering caused by his own operations.
Free distribution
It is not permitted to distribute anything for free at the market that is being sold by another seller/operator in the market area or in its immediate vicinity. However, free distribution of products purchased from market and market entrepreneurs is permitted. Distribution of small items (reflectors, pens, etc.) is permitted. The market administrator may grant exemptions.
4. Sales points and rentals
Rental and availability
● The result must be reported to the market supervisor no later than the previous weekday.
● Monthly and daily rental spaces are available at the market square. A written market square rental agreement must be completed annually and returned to the city's customer service or by email by February 28.2. The agreement on the use of the market square is the basis for invoicing market square rentals.
● The monthly rental fee for the sales area is invoiced in advance in accordance with the market space rental agreement. The market vendor is obliged to notify of any changes to the rental period by the 25th of the previous month. The monthly rental fee must be paid by the 5th of the month following the start of the month. A receipt for payment must be presented to the market supervisor, if necessary. The market supervisor collects the rent for the daily space daily.
● Sales locations are rented according to the market map. The map shows the size and number of sales locations in more detail. Sales locations are located, if possible, so that merchants selling the same article are in the same area.
● Priority order for renting spaces:
○ Market vendors who have rented a monthly market space from a day market for more than 6 months may continue renting in the following season
○ Priority is given to market traders in the Hamina city area
○ Otherwise, market stalls are rented in the order of booking.
● The right to rent a sales area may not be transferred to a third party. If the sales area is empty by 8:00 a.m., the market supervisor may hand it over to another vendor for that day.
● The market square sales space rents are decided by the Urban Development Committee.
● Urban Development Services may grant permission to non-profit organizations, school classes, or similar entities to use the sales area free of charge for organizing various events, presenting activities, or other such purposes, if there are free spaces in the market square.
Loss of tenancy rights
The right to rent may be revoked if the market vendor does not pay rent, neglects to follow the rules, behaves inappropriately, or engages in sales while intoxicated. For serious violations, a permanent sales ban may be issued.
Responsibility for cleanliness and safety
● Cleanliness: The market vendor must ensure that his or her sales point is kept clean throughout the market period, and the area must remain clean after the sales period has ended. Waste must be sorted appropriately and placed in the designated areas. The city has the right to carry out cleaning and maintenance work in the market area. If sales activities are temporarily suspended due to this
If the market has to be suspended or moved to another area, the tenant does not have the right to demand a refund of the rent collected from the rental space or other compensation.
● Safety: Sales points, equipment and cables must meet safety regulations. Escape routes must be kept open. Electrical equipment may only be used with cables suitable for outdoor use and must be protected against tripping hazards. Market supervisors have the right to issue additional instructions that must be followed.
● Responsibility: The market trader is responsible for all his own actions and those of his staff, and is obliged to compensate for any damage caused by his actions.
5. Traffic and vehicles
● Sales area boundaries: Market vendors must stay within their own sales area.
● Vehicles: Parking in the market area is only permitted with a separate permit. Vehicles may only be used for sales if the sale is made directly from the vehicle.
● Maintenance: Short-term stops for unloading or loading are permitted, as long as they do not disturb other operators or block traffic. Bringing products and sales equipment to the sales location for sale at the market is permitted one hour before the start of the sales period, but import and export, as well as necessary maintenance, must be carried out promptly. Maintenance must not disturb traffic, other market traders, or movement on the market. Maintenance and transport vehicles may not be stored at the market.
● Oil and fluid leaks: A cover must be used under vehicles to prevent leaks. The costs of any damage will be charged to the person causing the damage.
6. Market hours and markets
Day market activities
● Opening hours: market vendors are expected to commit to selling at least between 9 am and 15 pm, unless another time has been agreed with the market supervisor. Sales may be carried out between 07 am and 04 pm Monday to Sunday, but sales between 15 pm and 04 pm are prohibited.
must be agreed with the market supervisor. The sales point may be set up no earlier than 6:00 and must be dismantled no later than after the sale has ended. The time reserved for market cleaning/winter maintenance is between 4:30 and 6:00.
● Market events: The market administrator has the right to designate a replacement sales location if the market area is needed for an event.
Market rules
● Markets: The City of Hamina organizes 3-4 markets annually. For those who rent a monthly space for more than six (6) months, the market is included in the rent for their monthly rental space.
● Market prices/market fees are determined according to the price list approved by the Urban Development Committee.
● By returning and completing the registration form, the market vendor secures a sales spot at the traditional Hamina market. Pre-registrations are binding by December 5.12th for the following year's market.
● Marketplaces are rented based on advance reservations.
● Night security: During the August and September markets, the city organizes night security for the Market Square area. Vendors must protect their sales area during the night and each vendor is responsible for their own goods.
7. Waste management facilities
● Water and waste management: Food production must not cause any disturbance or harm to human health. The discharge of wastewater into the market area or storm drains is prohibited.
● Waste point: The deep collection containers at the waste point are intended only for waste generated during market operations. Users must follow the sorting instructions and ensure that the premises are kept clean.
● Market supervisors have the right to issue additional instructions that must be followed.
8. Behavior and pets
● Behaviour: Market vendors must behave politely and respectfully towards other operators and customers. Appearing intoxicated and disruptive behaviour are prohibited.
● Pets: Dogs and other pets/domestic animals are allowed to be brought to the market, as long as they are kept on a leash and under the owner's supervision and responsibility. The market trader has the right to restrict access to pets in his or her own sales area. Any restrictions must be clearly announced in connection with the sales area. The restrictions in the Food Act must be observed.
9. Politics and elections
● Election campaigning: Election campaigning must not disturb market stalls or other operators, and products comparable to café and barbecue products sold in the market area must not be distributed at polling stations. The distribution of election advertisements alone is free and free of charge throughout the market area. The distribution of small items (reflectors, pens, etc.) is permitted.
10. Entry into force of the market regulations
The market order rules will enter into force on January 1, 2026 and will remain in force until further notice.

Urban Development Committee 26.11.2025