Business Licences and Permits
The City administers various licences for businesses that address health and safety issues and provide consumer protection. You may be required to have a Business Licence if you operate a business and/or will be selling your products/goods/food at a Special Event.
View the categories below for further information. For questions, please contact Licensing Services at 905-436-3311 ext. 2428 or email [email protected].
Business licensing categories
The following businesses require a licence in the City of Oshawa.
Adult Entertainment Parlour | ||||||
Any premises where any of the following is provided, in pursuance of a trade; calling; business or occupation; services appealing to or designed to appeal to erotic or sexual appetites or inclinations. Fees:
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Billiards | ||||||
An establishment where pool, billiards, bagatelle and similar games are available to the public for hire or gain. Fees:
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Body Rub | ||||||
Includes any premises within the geographic limits of the City where a Body Rub is performed, offered or solicited in pursuance of a trade, calling, business or occupation. It does not include any premises or part thereof where the Body Rubs performed are for medical or therapeutic treatment and are performed or offered by persons otherwise duly qualified, licensed or registered so to do under the laws of the Province of Ontario.
Owner OperatorAn owner operator is a person who, alone or with others, has the right to possess or occupy a Body Rub Parlour or does possess or occupy a body rub parlour and includes a lessee of a body rub parlour or premises upon which a Body Rub Parlour is located. The terms "own," "ownership,” and words like import or intent shall have corresponding meanings and any person who performs/offers or solicits a body rub. Fees: $1,500 annuallyAn Owner who does not operateA person who, alone or with others, has the right to possess or occupy a Body Rub Parlour or does possess or occupy a Body Rub Parlour and includes a lessee of a Body Rub Parlour or premises upon which a Body Rub Parlour is located. The terms "own," "ownership," and words of like import or intent shall have corresponding meanings. Fees: $1,400 annuallyAttendantAny person who performs, offers or solicits a Body Rub. Fees: $100 annually. To apply, you must submit the following: |
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Bowling Alley | ||||||
Fees:
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Carnival | ||||||
An exhibition, display, event or amusement show which may include the operation of one or more Amusement Devices or midway style attractions. Fees:
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Class A – Food Shop | ||||||
Any place where food items 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. Fees:
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Class D – Home Occupation Food Shops | ||||||
Any dwelling unit where food items 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. Fees for a two year licence:
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Pawnbroker | ||||||
Fees:
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Payday Loan Establishment | ||||||
Any premises or any part of them in respect of which a licensee within the meaning of the Payday Loans Act may operate a business according to a licence issued under that Act. Fees:
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Peddler | ||||||
Peddler licence applications must be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the event.
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Pet Stores | ||||||
Visit the Pet Store Licences page for more information. This is a free annual licence. To apply, you must submit the following:
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Place of Amusement | ||||||
A building or part of a building within which three or more amusement machines are available to the public. Fees:
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Public Garage | ||||||
Includes an automobile service station, a parking station, a parking lot, or a building or place where motor vehicles are hired or kept or used for hire or where vehicles or gasoline or oils are stored or kept for sale. It can also be a building or place used as a motor vehicle repair shop or for washing or cleaning motor vehicles. Fees:
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Public Hall | ||||||
A building or a part of a building, including a portable building, with patios and decks, with a capacity of more than 150 persons that is offered for use as a place of public assembly. The use does not include a theatre for the Theatres Act or that part of a building used solely for religious purposes. Fees:
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Second Hand Dealer |
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A person dealing in second hand goods. Fees:
To apply, you must submit the following:
For licence renewals, submit your business licence renewal form. |
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Second Hand Dealer - Salvage |
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A person is dealing in second hand goods exclusively to wreck, dismantle, and recycle such goods before their disposition. Fees:
To apply, you must submit the following:
For licence renewals, submit your business licence renewal form. |
Driving School Services
Visit our Driving School Licences page for further information.
Driving School |
A person who or that offers or provides an Ontario Ministry of Transportation approved course in a prescribed class of driving instruction for which the Highway Traffic Act requires a driving school licence. Fees:
To apply, submit the following:
You may apply:
Licensing Services 1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall 50 Centre St. S. Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7 |
Driving Instructor |
An individual who provides driving instruction for which the Highway Traffic Act requires a driving instructor licence. Fees:
To apply, you must submit the following:
You may apply:
Licensing Services 1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall 50 Centre St. S. Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7 |
Refreshment Vehicles
Visit our Street Food Vending page for further information.
Mobile Refreshment Vehicle |
A Refreshment Vehicle propelled by means other than an onboard motor or engine. Fees:
To apply, you must submit the following:
For licence renewals, submit your Refreshment Vehicle Licence Application form |
Stationary Refreshment Vehicle |
A Refreshment Vehicle operated from one lot but does not include a Hot Dog Cart. Fees:
To apply, you must submit the following:
For licence renewals, submit your Refreshment Vehicle Licence Application form |
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 are various 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 must obtain for your special event.
Food Sales |
Short Term Food Shop LicenceA food shop that operates temporarily, including but not limited to special events and street festivals. Fees:
To apply, you must submit the following:
Temporary Refreshment Vehicle LicenceA food shop that operates from a vehicle or trailer. Fees: Up to five days at the same location
To apply, you must submit the following:
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Peddling goods |
If you were a business selling your goods and wares at an event, you will require a peddlers licence. The type depends on your vendor attendance. Peddler licence applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the event. Peddler – Class A General PeddlerA 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 Fees:
Note: there is a $75 application fee for each application. To apply, you must submit the following:
Peddler – Class B Special Events OrganizerAny person organizing an event involving multiple vendors at one location exhibiting, offering for sale, and/or distributing of, temporarily, goods, wares, and/or merchandise to the general public Fees:
To apply, you must submit the following:
Any food vendors require a City of Oshawa Short Term Food Shop Licence. Please read the Durham Region food safety requirements if you have food vendors participating in your event. Peddler – Class C Seasonal SalesA person who goes to a particular place to vend goods for one period of up to three months in each twelve-month period which goods include but are not limited to: gardening products and Christmas trees. Fees:
To apply, you must submit the following: • Proof of permission for the proposed site. |
Carnival |
A licence for an exhibition, display, event or amusement show which may include the operation of one or more Amusement Devices or midway style attractions. Fees:
To apply, you must submit the following:
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Exemption Requests
You can apply for an exemption to the Business Licensing By-law. The fee for an exemption request is $125.
To apply, please complete the Exemption Request to Business Licensing By-law Application form and submit it to the licensing office by email [email protected] or by mail or in person.
Zoning
Is your location zoned correctly for your type of business, and do you have the required number of parking spaces? Call Municipal Licensing and Standards at 905-436-3311, ext. 2299 or email at [email protected] to find out.
View our Zoning By-law for more information.
Licences to Serve and/or Sell Alcohol
To serve and/or sell alcohol in Oshawa, you must apply for a liquor licence/permit from the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario (A.G.C.O.). In addition, specific licenses require that you get municipal clearance or approvals from the City of Oshawa. Once you apply to the A.G.C.O., they will tell you what else they need from you. Please visit the A.G.C.O.'s website to apply.
Municipal Clearance for a Liquor Sales Licence
As part of the liquor sales licence approval, the A.G.C.O. 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:
When your application is submitted to Licensing Services, we will then complete your Municipal Information form and submit it to the A.G.C.O. You will also receive a copy. Licensing Services 1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall 50 Centre St. S. 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 A.G.C.O. 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 St. S. Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7 Phone: 905-436-3311 ext. 2290 Email: [email protected] |
Durham Health Department |
Please visit the Durham Region Health's website for more information. |
Special Occasion Permits
All Special Occasion Permits (S.O.P.) must be completed on the A.G.C.O.'s online portal. For help to determine which type of S.O.P. you require, please see the A.G.C.O.'s Special Occasion Permit Application Guide or contact the A.G.C.O. at 416-326-8700.
Public Events require the municipality to deem the event an event of municipal significance.
For Public Events, please submit the following to the Licensing Services Office:
When your application is submitted to Licensing Services, we will submit a decision letter to the A.G.C.O. You will receive a copy.
Licensing Approvals
As part of the licensing process, we may contact the following agencies to provide approval for business licence applications:
- Licensing & Standards (Zoning)
- Municipal Law Enforcement Services
- Durham Regional Health Department
- Durham Regional Police
- Fire Services
- Building Services
- Planning Services
Provincial Regulations
To register a business name and incorporate a business, please see Service Ontario's Business Registry page.
Small Business Resources
BizPaL is an online source of information on permits and licences to start or grow your business. BizPaL will help identify what you may require, quickly and easily. Find everything from a single source; entrepreneurs spend less time dealing with red tape - saving effort and money in the process - and more time building their business.
If you are considering opening a new business in Oshawa, contact Economic Development Services to discuss your business requirements.
Visit Invest Oshawa for incentives and support to ensure the success of your business.