Food Licences

A Class “A” Food Shop is any place where food is made for sale, offered for sale, stored or sold. This does not include a Refreshment Vehicle or Bed and Breakfast establishment.

If you are preparing, heating, or cooking food (e.g. cooking and serving food in a restaurant, heating food at a hot counter in a supermarket or convenience store, preparing and packaging sandwiches, etc.) you will require a Class “A” Food Shop Licence.

Examples of businesses that require a Class “A” Food Shop Licence include: restaurants, take-out restaurants, cafes, bakeries, convenience stores, and supermarkets.

This Licence class may qualify for a Modular Licence.

Low-Risk Pre-Packaged Food - If you exclusively sell low-risk pre-packaged foods (e.g. dry goods, bags of chips, bottles of pop, packaged candy, etc.), you do not require a Class “A” Food Shop Licence. A Class “A” Food Shop Licence is required if you do not exclusively sell low-risk pre-packaged food. For example, if you sell food that requires refrigeration or other forms of temperature control (e.g. dairy or meat products), you require a Class “A” Food Shop Licence.

Application requirements

Fees for a new Class “A” Food Shop Licence: $250 ($50 application fee plus $200 new licence fee).

To apply for a new Class “A” Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration or Franchise Agreement
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Property Ownership or Lease of Premises for your place of business
• Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence
• You will also be required to provide the City with a Durham Region Health Inspection Report with Green Dine Safe designation for your business

Apply for a new Class "A" Food Shop Licence 

Renewal requirements

Fees to renew your Class “A” Food Shop Licence: $200 ($50 application fee plus $150 renewal licence fee).

To renew your Class “A” Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration or Franchise Agreement
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence

Renew your Class "A" Food Shop Licence 

An Accessory to Food Shop refers to any outdoor place adjacent to a Class “A” Food Shop where food intended for immediate consumption is made for sale, offered for sale, stored or sold. For example, a barbecue in front of a restaurant or on a patio would be considered an Accessory to Food Shop.

To apply for a Class “B” Accessory to Food Shop Licence, you must have a valid Class “A” Food Shop Licence. If you are applying for a new Class “A” Food Shop Licence, you can apply for a Class “B” Accessory to Food Shop Licence at the same time.

Application requirements

There are no licensing fees for the Class “B” Accessory to Food Shop licence.

To apply for a Class “B” Accessory to Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Land Use Authorization - Lease/Rental agreement or letter of authorization from the property owner of the proposed location for your Accessory to Food Shop set up
• Basic Floor Plan of Premises - Site plan sketch/diagram of where your Accessory to Food Shop set up will be located, including parking spaces, entrances and exits, and other businesses located nearby
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence

Apply for a new Class "B" Accessory to Food Shop Licence 

Renewal requirements

There are no licensing fees to renew your Class “B” Accessory to Food Shop licence.

To renew your Class “B” Accessory to Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Land Use Authorization - Lease/Rental agreement or letter of authorization from the property owner of the proposed location for your Accessory to Food Shop set up
• Updated Floor Plan of Premises - Required if there have been any changes to the Accessory to Food Shop set up
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence

Renew your Class "B" Accessory to Food Shop Licence 

If you wish to sell food from a table/booth on a temporary basis, you will require a Class “C” Temporary Food Shop Licence. This Licence allows for sales activity for up to fifteen (15) days during a one (1) year licence term. This licence is also required if you are selling food from a booth/table at a Special Event, such as a festival, craft show or fair.

For example, a Class “C” Temporary Food Shop Licence allows you to:

• Operate at the same location for up to 15 consecutive days, or
• Operate at 5 different locations each for a 3-day period, or
• Operate at 15 different locations for 15 different 1-day periods, etc.

Note: You must apply and provide details and documents for each different sales location during your one (1) year licence term.

Low-Risk Pre-Packaged Food - If you exclusively sell low-risk pre-packaged foods (e.g. dry goods, bags of chips, bottles of pop, packaged candy, etc.), you do not require a Class “C” Temporary Food Shop Licence. A Class “C” Temporary Food Shop Licence is required if you do not exclusively sell low-risk pre-packaged food. For example, if you are also selling food that requires refrigeration or other forms of temperature control (e.g. dairy/meat products), you do require a Class “C” Temporary Food Shop Licence.

Application requirements

Fees for a Class “C” Temporary Food Shop Licence: $30 for the ability to operate up to fifteen (15) days during a one (1) year licence term. If you are operating for sixteen (16) days or more you will be subject to a Licence fee of $250.

If you already have a valid Class “A” Food Shop Licence, you are not required to pay the $30 licence fee for the Class “C” Temporary Food Shop.

To apply for a Class “C” Temporary Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Land Use Authorization - Lease/Rental agreement or letter of authorization from the property owner of the proposed location for your Temporary Food Shop set up
• Basic Floor Plan of Premises - Site plan sketch/diagram/map of where your Temporary Food Shop set up will be located, including parking spaces, entrances and exits, and other businesses located nearby
• Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence
• If you are cooking/warming/heating, refrigerating or using a generator or electrical source at the event:
  • Picture of your fire extinguisher that will be at the sales location
  • Picture of the manufacture date of your fire extinguisher
  • Fire extinguisher maintenance record tag or documentation from the service contractor to verify it has been serviced within one year

You will also be required to fill out a Durham Region Health “Community Special Events and Farmers’ Markets Vendor Application Form” for approval from the Durham Region Health Dept. for your Temporary Food Shop set up

Apply for a Class "C" Temporary Food Shop Licence 

A Home Occupation Food Shop is any dwelling unit where food is made for sale, offered for sale, stored or sold. A Class “D” Home Occupation Food Shop Licence is valid for two (2) years.

Low-Risk Pre-Packaged Food - If you exclusively sell low-risk pre-packaged foods (e.g. dry goods, bags of chips, bottles of pop, packaged candy, etc.), you do not require a Class “D” Home Occupation Food Shop Licence. A Class “D” Home Occupation Food Shop Licence is required if you do not exclusively sell low-risk pre-packaged food. For example, if you are also selling food that requires refrigeration or other forms of temperature control (e.g. dairy/meat products), you do require a Class “D” Home Occupation Food Shop Licence. 

Application requirements

Fees for a new Class “D” Home Occupation Food Shop Licence: $275 ($50 application fee plus $225 new licence fee). 

To apply for a new Class “D” Home Occupation Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Property Ownership or Lease of Premises for your place of business
• Basic Floor Plan of Premises - Site plan sketch/diagram showing the area of the home dedicated to the Home Occupation Food Shop, complete with room measurements (not required for licence renewal)

You will also be required to provide the City with a Durham Region Health Inspection Report with Green Dine Safe designation for your home based business.

Please Note: The City of Oshawa recommends that you purchase a fire extinguisher that is kept in an accessible location and is either new each year or is inspected and maintained by a fire protection company annually. The minimum size fire extinguisher recommended is 2A10BC (5 lb).

Apply a new Class "D" Home Occupation Food Shop Licence 

Renewal requirements

Fees to renew this Licence: $200 ($50 application fee plus $150 renewal licence fee).

To renew your Class “D” Home Occupation Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Property Ownership or Lease of Premises for your place of business

You will also be required to provide the City with a Durham Region Health Inspection Report with Green Dine Safe designation for your home based business.

Please Note: The City of Oshawa recommends that you purchase a fire extinguisher that is kept in an accessible location and is either new each year or is inspected and maintained by a fire protection company annually. The minimum size fire extinguisher recommended is 2A10BC (5 lb).

Renew your Class "D" Home Occupation Food Shop Licence 

A Food Shop Licence takes about two (2) to four (4) weeks to issue. However, this depends on the inspections and approvals required from various departments.

Approvals from Oshawa Fire Services (O.F.S.), Property Standards, and Durham Region Health (D.R.H.) may be required before issuing your Food Licence. Once you submit your application, we will contact these departments to let them know that your business requires these inspections.

O.F.S. ensures your business complies with the Fire Code and our Property Standards Officers check for compliance with the City’s Property Standards By-law. D.R.H. inspects your facilities in order to issue you a Green Dine Safe Pass. 

If you are renovating or building your business, you may require a building permit. Visit the Building Services webpage to learn more. If you need a business sign installed, please visit the Sign Permits webpage.

If you have an active building permit, your Food Shop Licence cannot be issued until it is closed.

To check the zoning for your proposed business location, contact Planning Services or visit their Zoning webpage. 

Business licences issued by the City, including Food Shop Licences, cannot be transferred to a new owner or to another location. If you are selling your business, the new owner must apply for a new Food Shop Licence. If you are moving your Food Shop business to a different location, you must apply for a new Food Shop Licence.

Application requirements

Fees for a new Class “A” Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence: $300 ($50 application fee plus $250 new licence fee).

To apply for a new Class “A” Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration and/or Franchise Agreement-
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Land Use Authorization - Lease/Rental agreement or letter of authorization from the property owner of the proposed location of the Refreshment Vehicle
• Basic Floor Plan of Premises - Site plan sketch/diagram/map showing the area of the property showing where your Stationary Refreshment Vehicle will operate and parking spaces
• Vehicle/Trailer Information and Ownership
• Photograph of Vehicle/Trailer
• Fire Extinguisher Documentation - Picture of the on board fire extinguisher(s), including:
  • Photo of location showing fire extinguisher that is in Vehicle/Trailer
  • Photo of the manufacture date of the fire extinguisher
  • Photo of fire extinguisher maintenance record tag or documentation from the service contractor to verify it has been serviced within one year
• T.S.S.A. Propane Certificate (if applicable)
• T.S.S.A. Mobile Food Service Equipment Annual Inspection (if applicable)
• Fire Suppression System Inspection (if applicable) - Dated within six (6) months; also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence

You will also be required to provide the City with a Durham Region Health Inspection Report with Green Dine Safe designation for your home based business

Apply for a new Class "A" Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence

Renewal requirements

Fees to renew your current Class “A” Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence: $275 ($50 application fee plus $225 renewal licence fee).

To renew your Class “A” Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Land Use Authorization - Lease/Rental agreement or letter of authorization from the property owner of the proposed location of the Refreshment Vehicle
• Fire Extinguisher Documentation - Picture of the on board fire extinguisher(s), including:
  • Photo of location showing fire extinguisher that is in Vehicle/Trailer
  • Photo of the manufacture date of the fire extinguisher
  • Photo of fire extinguisher maintenance record tag or documentation from the service contractor to verify it has been serviced within one year
• T.S.S.A. Propane Certificate (if applicable)
• T.S.S.A. Mobile Food Service Equipment Annual Inspection (if applicable)
• Fire Suppression System Inspection (if applicable) - Dated within six (6) months; also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence

You will also be required to provide the City with a Durham Region Health Inspection Report with Green Dine Safe designation for your home based business

Renew your Class "A" Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence

Application requirements

Fees for a new Class “B” Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence: $330 ($50 application fee plus $280 new licence fee).

To apply for a new Class “B” Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration and/or Franchise Agreement
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Vehicle/Trailer Information and Ownership
• Photograph Vehicle/Trailer
• Vehicle Safety Documentation - Vehicle Safety Standards Certificate and Passenger/Light Duty Vehicle Inspection Report
• Fire Extinguisher Documentation - Picture of the on board fire extinguisher(s), including:
  • Photo of location showing fire extinguisher that is in Vehicle/Trailer
  • Photo of the manufacture date of the fire extinguisher
  • Photo of fire extinguisher maintenance record tag or documentation from the service contractor to verify it has been serviced within one year
• T.S.S.A. Propane Certificate (if applicable)
• T.S.S.A. Mobile Food Service Equipment Annual Inspection (if applicable)
• Fire Suppression System Inspection (if applicable) - Dated within six (6) months; also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System
• Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per Accident
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence

You will also be required to provide the City with a Durham Region Health Inspection Report with Green Dine Safe designation for your home based business

Apply for a new Class "B" Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence

If you wish to sell food from a food truck or trailer on a temporary basis, you will require a Class “C” Temporary Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence. This Licence allows for sales activity for a period of up to fifteen (15) days during a one (1) year licence term. This licence is also required if you are selling food from a food truck or trailer at a Special Event, such as at a festival/craft show/fair.

For example, a Class “C” Temporary Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence allows you to:

• Operate at the same location for up to 15 consecutive days, or
• Operate at 5 different locations each for a 3-day period, or
• Operate at 15 different locations for 15 different 1-day periods, etc.

Note: You must apply and provide details and documents for each different sales location during your one (1) year licence term.

Application requirements

Fees for a new Class “C” Temporary Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence: $125 ($50 application fee plus $75 new licence fee) for up to fifteen (15) days during a one (1) year licence term.

If you are operating for sixteen (16) days or more, you will be subject to obtaining a Class “B” Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence with a fee of $330 ($50 application fee plus $280 licence fee).

To apply for a new Class “C” Temporary Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration and/or Franchise Agreement
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Land Use Authorization - Lease/Rental agreement or letter of authorization from the property owner of the proposed location for your Temporary Mobile Refreshment Vehicle set up
• Vehicle/Trailer Information and Ownership
• Photograph Vehicle/Trailer
• Vehicle Safety Documentation - Vehicle Safety Standards Certificate and Passenger/Light Duty Vehicle Inspection Report
• Fire Extinguisher Documentation - Picture of the on board fire extinguisher(s), including:
  • Photo of location showing fire extinguisher that is in Vehicle/Trailer
  • Photo of the manufacture date of the fire extinguisher
  • Photo of fire extinguisher maintenance record tag or documentation from the service contractor to verify it has been serviced within one year
• T.S.S.A. Propane Certificate (if applicable)
• T.S.S.A. Mobile Food Service Equipment Annual Inspection (if applicable)
• Fire Suppression System Inspection (if applicable) - Dated within six (6) months; also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System
• Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per Accident
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence

You will also be required to provide the City with a Durham Region Health Inspection Report with Green Dine Safe designation for your home based business

Apply for a Class "C" Temporary Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence

The consent of all property owners is required to operate on a lot. If the City or a school were to permit a specific location, the Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicle could operate there. If the City/school has not provided written consent for a particular location, the vendor would not be permitted to operate there.

Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles are prohibited from operating within one hundred metres (100 m) of a park and/or school; nevertheless, they are exempt from the one hundred metres (100 m) proximity requirement if they are operating on a highway closed under a Special Event Permit and/or at a park where a special event is  held; and, if the Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicle has obtained written consent from the special event permit holder. Additionally, a Refreshment Vehicle is exempt from this distance requirement if the property owner or the school administration, as applicable, has given written permission for the Refreshment Vehicle to operate on the property.

Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles, such as ice cream trucks, can roam through residential areas for up to ten (10) minutes. These 10 minutes are extended if people within the queue have not been served. Refreshment Vehicles must obey all parking restrictions.

Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles are prohibited from operating within residential areas between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles are only permitted to operate on highways abutting residential zones for a longer period if the highway is closed due to a permitted special event and the Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicle has written consent from the special event permit holder.

• Cannot operate within twenty metres (20 m) of a restaurant or bar unless participating in a special event where the City has issued a permit
• Cannot operate within one hundred metres (100 m) of any park or school unless the refreshment vehicle has obtained written consent from the property owner or the school administration to vend on the property
• Cannot operate within one hundred metres (100 m) of any special special event unless the special event permit holder has provided written consent
• Cannot operate on any lot without the consent of the property owner

Refreshment Vehicles are only permitted on three (3) streets outlined on the Downtown Refreshment Vehicle map

• Debwewin Miikan (formerly Bagot Street)
• Metcalf Street
• a portion of Richmond Street East

They must ensure the parking meter is paid for the duration of the time they occupy the space. Refreshment Vehicles must obey all other parking restrictions.

No, a Refreshment Vehicle cannot have a Mobile and Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence at the same time. A Refreshment Vehicle must either be mobile or stationary.