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Business Licences

Due to COVID-19 our response times may be delayed.

Are you a business owner in the City of Oshawa? You may be required to have a Business Licence. For more information go to our Business Licensing By-law page.

You can now renew your business licence online here! *not all business types have online availability.

Please contact Licensing Services for any questions by phone at 905-436-3311 ext. 2428 or by email at [email protected].

Business Licensing Category

The following businesses require a licence in the City of Oshawa:

Adult Entertainment Parlour

Fees:

$3,000 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Contact Licensing at 905-436-3311, ext. 2428 for detailed information on obtaining your licence.

Billiards

Fees:

$150 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Must include:

Criminal Information report
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and Articles of Incorporation)

Application

Body Rub

Contact Licensing at 905-436-3311, ext. 2428 for detailed information on obtaining your licence.

Owner Operator

Licensing fee: $1,500 annually

Owner who does not operate

Licensing fee: $1,400 annually

Attendant

Licensing fee: $100 annually

Bowling Alley

Fees:

$120 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Must include:

Business name registration (Master Business Licence and Articles of Incorporation)

Application

Carnival

Fees:

$120 licensing fee per day Carnival is being run
$75 application fee

Must include:

$2 - 5 million general liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured
TSSA licence for inflatable company
TSSA Device permits for each inflatable being used at your event
Written approval from residents within a 100 metre radius of event

Application

Designated Driving Services

Note: standards pertaining to Designated Driving Services are effective January 2, 2017. Please visit the Designated Driving Services web page for more information on licensing and operating requirements.

Designated Driver

Designated Driver Licence costs $150 for a two year licence.

To apply for a Designated Driver Licence you will have to submit the following:

Application
Police Criminal Information Report (with Vulnerable Sector Section Completed)
Medical Clearance Letter
Driver’s Licence Abstract
Provincial Driver’s Licence/Proof of Age (minimum age 25)
Proof of Broker Affiliation

You may apply:

Online (for new and renewal applications)
Drop off complete application with cheque – South side of City Hall by main doors there is a metal drop box you can use.

Designated Driving Broker

Designated Driver Broker Licence costs $250 annually.

To apply for a Designated Driver Broker Licence you will have to submit the following:

Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Proof of Insurance - $2,000,000 Commercial General Liability Policy

You may apply:

Online (for new and renewal applications)
Drop off complete application with cheque – South side of City Hall by main doors there is a metal drop box you can use.

Driving School Services

Driving School

Driving School Fees:

$100 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply for a Driving School Licence you will have to submit the following:

Application
Business name Registration (Master Business Licence and Articles of Incorporation)
A Valid Provincial Driving School licence that is current and in good standing
List of all driving instructors that your driving school has on contract

You may apply:

Online
Drop off complete application with cheque – South side of City Hall by main doors there is a metal drop box you can use.

Driving Instructors

Driving Instructor Fees:

$175 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply for a Driving Instructor Licence you will have to submit the following:

Application
Driving School Affiliation Letter
Provincial Driving Instructor Licence
Automobile insurance with a limit for personal injury or damage to property of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence
Safety Certificate and Passenger/Light Duty Inspection Report
Vehicle Ownership

You may apply:

Online
Drop off complete application with cheque – South side of City Hall by main doors there is a metal drop box you can use.

Please see the Driving School Services webpage for further information.

Class A - Food Shop

Food Shops are defined in our Business Licensing By-law as

"any place where food stuffs intended for human consumption are made for sale, offered for sale, stored or sold, but does not include a licensed Refreshment Vehicle or a Bed and Breakfast Establishment;"

Food Shop Fees:

$150 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply for a Food Shop Licence you will have to submit the following:

Application
Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence and Articles of Incorporation)
Lease for business address
Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a limit of liability not less than $1,000,000

Online Application Available

Class D-Home Occupation Food Shops

Class D-Home Occupation Food Shops are defined in our Business Licensing By-law as

“means any dwelling unit where food stuffs intended for human consumption are made for sale, offered for sale, stored or sold, but does not include a licensed Refreshment Vehicle or a Bed and Breakfast Establishment.”

Class D-Home Occupation Food Shop Fees (2 year licence):

$150 licensing fee
$75 application fee

To apply for a Food Shop Licence you will have to submit the following:

Application
Master Business Licence
Articles of Incorporation (if a corporation)
Floor plan of area of home dedicated to the home occupation, complete with room measurements
Durham Region Health Inspection Report (if your inspection was completed)

You may apply:

Online Application
Drop off complete Application with cheque – South side of City Hall by main doors there is a metal drop box you can use.

Pawnbroker

Fees:

$150 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Must include:

$2,000 security deposit
Criminal Information report
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and Articles of Incorporation)

Application

Payday Loan Establishment

Fees:

$150 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Must include:

Business name registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Proof of valid Provincial payday lender licence
Proof of Commercial General Liability insurance (as stipulated in the By-law)

Application

Peddler

Peddler licence applications must be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the event.

Class A - General Peddler (per location)

Fees:

1 to 2 days: $100 licensing fee
3 to 5 days: $200 licensing fee
In excess of 5 days: $30 per day licensing fee
$75 application fee for each application

Must include:

Site plan detailing the location of all participating peddlers.

Application

Class B - Special Events, Trade Show, Craft Fair, Flea Market Organizer

Fees:

$400 licensing fee
$75 application fee

Must include:

Proof of $2 - 5 million general liability insurance naming the City as additional insured.
Proposed list of vendors.
Site plan detailing the location of all participating vendors.

Application

Durham Region Requirements

Class C - Seasonal Sales

Fees:

1 to 3 months: $250 licensing fee
$75 application fee

Must include:

Proof of permission for proposed site.

Application

Pet Stores

Pursuant to the Responsible Pet Owner By-law.

Fees:

This is a free annual licence.

Application

Please see the Pet Store webpage for further information.

Place of Amusement

Fees:

$175 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Must include:

Criminal Information report
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and Articles of Incorporation)

Application

Public Garage

Public Garages are defined in our Business Licensing By-law as

“Includes an automobile service station, a parking station or a parking lot or a building or place where motor vehicles are hired or kept or used for hire or where such vehicles or gasoline or oils are stored or kept for sale, and a building or place used as a motor vehicle repair shop or for washing or cleaning motor vehicles;”

Public Garage Fees:

$175 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply for a Public Garage Licence you will have to submit the following:

Application
Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence and Articles of Incorporation)
Criminal Information Report
Lease of property
Map of property – including parking spaces, entrance and exits and any other businesses being run at the proposed location of your business.

Online Application Available

Public Hall

Fees:

$200 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Must include:

Electrical Safety Certificate dated within 3 months of application
Proof of $3 million dollar (minimum) general liability insurance

Application

Refreshment Vehicles

Oshawa currently defines four (4) classes of refreshment vehicles within the Business Licensing By-law including:

Hot Dog Cart: a Mobile Refreshment Vehicle that is operated or licensed to operate at one location for a period no less than three (3) hours and not exceeding nine (9) hours on any day. Example: Hot dog cart
Mobile Refreshment Vehicle: A Refreshment Vehicle that is propelled by means other than an on-board motor or engine. Examples: ice cream bikes, coffee bikes, and trailers.
Motorized Refreshment Vehicle: A Mobile Refreshment vehicle that is self-propelled by means of an on-board motor or engine. Examples: food trucks and ice cream trucks.
Stationary Refreshment Vehicle: A Refreshment Vehicle operated from one Lot but does not include a Hot Dog Cart. Examples: “Chip Trucks” as seen on various private property lots in Oshawa.

Apply for a New/Renew your Refreshment Vehicle Licence Here

Fees for Mobile and Stationary Refreshment Vehicles

$225 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Please see the Refreshment Vehicle webpage for further information.

Residential Rental Housing

Licensing Fee:

$500 first-time applicant or if renewal application is submitted with less than 60 days before the expiry of the licence
$360 renewal

Please see the Residential Rental Housing web page for the application and additional information.

Salvage Shop

Fees:

$500 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Must include:

Criminal Information report
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and Articles of Incorporation)

Application

Second Hand Goods

Fees:

$500 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Must include:

Criminal Information report
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and Articles of Incorporation)
A site map with location of holding area for goods
A letter of approval from property owner

Application

Short Term Rental Operator

Licensing Fee:

$75 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

Please see the Short Term Rental Operator Licensing web page for the application and additional information

Special Event Licensing

A special event is typically a variety of businesses coming together to sell their goods to the community at one location. There is a variety of Licence types for events; the licence you require depends on your business practices.

If you are unsure what type you would fall under send an email describing your event in detail to [email protected] for review. Once the review is complete they will let you know which type of Licence you are required to obtain for your special event.

Licence Types

Food Sales

There are two different licence types for short term food sales.

Short Term Food Shop Licence

If you are selling consumables to the general public on a short term basis you would require this licence.

Fees:

$75 Application fee

(paid once per calendar year at your first event or it is covered through your annual fees for your Oshawa Food Shop Licence)

$30 Licence fee

(per day you are vending at event location)

To apply for a Short Term Food Shop licence you have to submit the following:

1. City of Oshawa Application

2. Durham Region Health Application Process for Vendors
3. Fire Extinguisher Information (if cooking or warming at event)
a. Picture of the Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Record
b. Picture of the tag located on the neck of the extinguisher or documentation from the service contractor
c. The date of manufacture of the extinguisher
4. Payment

Temporary Refreshment Vehicle Licence

If you are vending from a vehicle or trailer you would be considered a refreshment vehicle.

Fees:

$170 ($75 application fee and $95 Licence fee)

Up to 5 days at the same location

To apply for a Temporary Refreshment Vehicle application please submit the following to our office:

Application
Durham Region Health Application Process for Vendors
Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence )
Articles of Incorporation (if a corporation)
Ownership of Vehicle/Trailer
Propane Certificate (if applicable)
Photograph of Vehicle
Safety Certificate
Commercial General Liability Insurance with a minimum of $2,000,000 (two million dollars)
Vehicle Insurance Certificate
Picture of the Fire Extinguisher presently available in the vehicle
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Record. Picture of the tag located on the neck of the extinguisher or documentation from the service contractor
The date of manufacture of the extinguisher
Fire Suppression System Inspection Record (dated within 6 months) (Also known as NFPA 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System) (if applicable)
Payment

Peddling Goods

If you are a business selling your goods and wares at an event you would require a Peddlers Licence. The type depends on your vendor attendance.

Peddler - Class A: General Peddler

Peddler - Class A: General Peddler (single peddler licence)

Licence Fees:

$100 (1 to 2 days per location)

$200 (3 to 5 days per location)

$30 per day (in excess of 5 days)

$75 Application fee is added to your peddler application.

In the Business Licensing by-law a Class A – General Peddler is defined as:

“a person who goes from place to place, or to a particular place, with goods, wares or merchandise for sale, or who carries and exposes samples, patterns or specimens of any goods, wares or merchandise that are to be delivered in the City afterwards”

To apply for a Peddler A application you must submit the following:

1. City of Oshawa Application

2. Site Plan detailing the location of peddling

3. Payment

Peddler - Class B: Special Events Organizer

$400 Licence fee

$75 Application Fee

Total is $475 per event

If you are organizing an event and have invited businesses together to sell their goods you would be required to apply for a Peddler B Licence.

In the Business Licensing By-law Class B – Special Events Organizer is defined as:

“ (including but not limited to the following events: Trade Show, Craft Fair, and Flea Market): any person organizing an event involving multiple vendors at one location exhibiting, offering for sale, and/or distribution of, on a temporary basis, goods, wares, and/or merchandise to the general public”

To apply for a Peddler B application you must submit the following:

1. Application

2. Proof of 2-5 million insurance (listing the City of Oshawa as an additional insured if using

our facility or property)

3. Vendors List (All peddlers selling non-food items at your event)

4. Site Map

5. Approval in writing from property owner or contract from Facility Booking Office

6. See the Durham Region Health Coordinator Application Process

7. Payment

Carnival

If you are operating rides or inflatables and inviting the general public you would require a Carnival Licence. It doesn’t make a difference if you are using private or city property, both locations would still require a licence.

$120 Licence Fee (per day)

$75 Application Fee (per day)

Total is $195 (per day)

To obtain a Carnival Licence you must submit the following:

Carnival Application
TSSA Licence (from inflatable company)
Device Permits (specific to the inflatable you are operating at your event)
General Liability Insurance from Inflatable Company
Proof of $2-$5 million General Liability Insurance from applicant organization naming the City of Oshawa as an additional insured
Written Approval from residents for homes within a 100 meter radius of event (we do have two different samples you can use)
Payment

Exemption Requests

You can apply for an exemption to the Business Licensing By-law. The fee for an exemption request is $125. Please fill out the exemption application and submit with payment to the Licensing Office.

Zoning

Is your location zoned for your type of business? Call Municipal Licensing and Standards at 905-436-3311, ext. 2299 for more information.

Go to our Zoning By-law.

Licences to Serve and/or Sell Alcohol

To serve and/or sell alcohol in Oshawa you will need a liquor licence/permit from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Certain licences require that you get municipal clearance or approvals from the City of Oshawa. These include liquor sales licences, retail store authorizations, temporary extensions and special occasion permits (SOP).

Liquor Sales Licence – Municipal Clearance

Municipal Clearance for a Liquor Sales Licence

As part of the liquor sales licence approval the AGCO may require the Municipal Information Form to be signed by Licensing Services and municipal clearance/approval letters from the building, fire and health departments.

Licensing Services

To apply please submit the following:

Application
Payment - $25
If your application includes an outdoor patio you must include a site plan of the business.

When your application is submitted to Licensing Services we will then:

Complete your Municipal Information form and submit it to the AGCO. A copy will also be sent to the applicant.

Licensing Services
1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall
50 Centre Street South
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7

Phone: 905-436-3311 ext. 2428
Email: [email protected]

Oshawa Fire Services

You require an Occupant Load Fire Inspection from the Fire Department for the AGCO.

Submit Occupant Load Fire Inspection request

Once your online application is submitted Oshawa Fire Services will contact you to conduct an inspection.

Oshawa Building Permit and Inspection Services

Please visit the Building Permit and Inspection Services office for their application.

Building Permit and Inspection Services
1st Floor, Rundle Tower, City Hall
50 Centre Street South
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7

Phone: 905-436-3311 ext. 2290
Email: [email protected]

Durham Region Health Department

Please visit the Durham Region Health's website for their steps.

Special Occasion Permits

All Special Occasion Permit’s (SOP) must be made through the AGCO’s online portal. For help to determine which type of SOP you require please see AGCO’s Special Occasion Permit Application Guide or contact the AGCO directly.

Public Events requires the municipality to deem the event an event of municipal significance.

For Public Events please submit the following to the Licensing Services Office:

Application
Fee : $25

When your application is submitted to Licensing Services we will then:

Submit a decision letter to the AGCO. A copy will also be sent to the applicant.

Licensing Approvals

As part of the licensing process, we may contact the following agencies to provide approval for business licence applications:

Provincial Regulations

Business Name Registration and Incorporating a Business

The Business Names Act requires registration of a business name, with the Ministry of Government Services, if the business is to operate under a name other than the owner's. You can apply for a business name registration with Service Ontario online or in person at a ServiceOntario Centre.

You can get information on incorporating a business from Service Ontario or by visiting the ServiceOntario Centre located at 590 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby, Ontario, L1N 9G5, 1-800-267-8097.

You can also visit our Small Business Resources.