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:

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

Contact our office at 905-436-3311 ext. 2428 or email [email protected] for detailed information on obtaining your licence.

Billiards

An establishment where pool, billiards, bagatelle and similar games are available to the public for hire or gain.

Fees:

$150 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Business name registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
Business Licence Application form

For licence renewals, submit your business licence renewal form.

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 Operator

An 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 annually

An Owner who does not operate

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 of like import or intent shall have corresponding meanings. Fees: $1,400 annually

Attendant

Any person who performs, offers or solicits a Body Rub. Fees: $100 annually. To apply, you must submit the following:

Bowling Alley

Fees:

$120 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Business name registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Business Licence Application form

For licence renewals, submit your business licence renewal form.

Carnival

An exhibition, display, event or amusement show which may include the operation of one or more Amusement Devices or midway style attractions.

Fees:

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

To apply, you must submit the following:

Commercial General Liability Insurance with a coverage between $2 million to $5 million 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
Carnival Licence Application form

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:

$150 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Business Licence Application form
Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Lease for the business address
Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a limit of liability no less than $1,000,000

You may apply:

Online by submitting a Class A - New Food Shop Application form
For licence renewals, submit your business licence renewal form.
In person at
Licensing Services
1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall
50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7

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:

$150 licensing fee
$75 application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Class D - Home Occupation Food Shop Application form
Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Floor plan of the area of the home dedicated to the home occupation, complete with room measurements
Durham Region Health Inspection Report (if your inspection is complete)

You may apply:

Online by submitting a Class D - Home Occupation Food Shop Licence Application form
In person at
Licensing Services
1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall
50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7

Pawnbroker

Fees:

$150 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

$2,000 security deposit
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Business Licence Application form

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:

$150 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

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 Business Licensing By-law
Payday Loan Establishment Application form

Peddler

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

Class A – General Peddler (per location)

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.

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

To apply, you must to submit the following:

Site plan detailing the location
Special Event - Peddler Licence Application form

Class B – Special Events/ Trade Show, Craft Fair, Flea market Organizer

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.

Fees:

$400 licensing fee
$75 application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Special Event - Peddler Licence Application form
Commercial General Liability Insurance with a coverage between $2 million to $5 million naming the City as an additional insured
Proposed list of vendors
Site plan detailing the location of all participating vendors

Any food vendors require a City of Oshawa Short Term Food Shop Licence. If you have food vendors participating in your event please see the Durham Region Food Safety Requirements.

Class C – Seasonal Sales

A 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:

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

To apply, you must submit the following:

Proof of permission for proposed site.
Special Event - Peddler Licence Application form

Pet Stores

Visit the Pet Store Licences page for more information. This is a free annual licence. To apply, you must submit the following:

Pet Store Licence Application form
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)

For licence renewals, submit your business licence renewal form.

Place of Amusement

A building or part of a building within which three or more amusement machines are available to the public.

Fees:

$175 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, submit the following:

Business Licence Application form
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)

For licence renewals, submit your business licence renewal form.

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:

$175 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Public Garage Licence Application
Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
Lease of property
Map of property – including parking spaces, entrance and exits and any other businesses at the proposed location of your business

For licence renewals, submit your business licence renewal form.

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:

$200 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Public Hall Licence Application Form
Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a limit of liability no less than $3 million per occurrence
Electrical System Inspection Form signed by a licensed electrician. This document must be dated within three months of your application. It is also required every five years for your licence renewal.
Occupancy Certificate
Floor plan

The floor plan must include:

the perimeter and total area of the premises
the location and dimensions of exits
the location and dimensions of seating arrangements, tables, bars, pool tables and arcade games proposed for the premises
the location of fire safety systems including fire alarms, emergency lighting and exit signs

Second Hand Dealer

A person dealing in second hand goods.

Fees:

$500 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Second Hand Dealer and Salvage Application form
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
A site map with the location of the holding area for goods
A letter of approval from the property owner
Copy of Property Parcel Register or Abstract Index
Lease of property

For licence renewals, submit your business licence renewal form.

Second Hand Dealer - Salvage

A person is dealing in second hand goods exclusively to wreck, dismantle, and recycle such goods before their disposition.

Fees:

$500 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Second Hand Dealer and Salvage Application form
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Copy of Property Parcel Register or Abstract Index
Lease of property
A site map with the location of the holding area for goods
A letter of approval from the property owner

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:

$100 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, submit the following:

Driving School and Driving Instructor Application form
Business name Registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
A valid Provincial Driving School licence that is current and in good standing
A list of all driving instructors that your driving school has on contract

You may apply:

Online by submitting the Driving School and Driving Instructor Application form
In person at

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:

$175 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Driving School and Driving Instructor Application form
Driving School Affiliation Letter
Provincial Driving Instructor Licence
Automobile insurance with a limit for personal injury or damage to property of no less than $2 million per occurrence
Safety Certificate and Passenger/Light Duty Inspection Report
Vehicle Ownership

You may apply:

Online by submitting the Driving School and Driving Instructor Application form
In person at

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:

$225 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Refreshment Vehicle Licence Application form
Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Vehicle ownership
Propane Certificate T.S.S.A. (if applicable)
Photograph of vehicle
Commercial General Liability Insurance with a minimum of $2 million
Picture of the fire extinguisher
Fire Suppression System Inspection Record dated within six months (also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System) if applicable
Safety Certificate
Vehicle Insurance Certificate

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:

$225 annual licensing fee
$75 annual application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Refreshment Vehicle Licence Application form
Business Name Registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Lease agreement
Vehicle ownership
Propane Certificate T.S.S.A. (if applicable)
Photograph of vehicle
Commercial General Liability Insurance with a minimum of $2 million
Picture of the Fire Extinguisher
Fire Suppression System Inspection Record dated within six months (also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System) if applicable
Letter of authorization from the property owner of your proposed location and map

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 Licence

A food shop that operates temporarily, including but not limited to special events and street festivals.

Fees:

$75 application fee - paid once per calendar year at your first event, unless you pay it through your annual fees for your Oshawa Food Shop Licence
$30 licence fee - per day you are vending at the event location

To apply, you must submit the following:

Class C - Short Term Food Shop Licence Application form
Durham Region Health Application Process for Vendors
Fire Extinguisher Information (if cooking or warming at the event)
- Picture of the 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
Payment

Temporary Refreshment Vehicle Licence

A food shop that operates from a vehicle or trailer.

Fees:

Up to five days at the same location

$95 Licence fee
$75 application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Temporary Refreshment Vehicle Licence Application form
Durham Region Health Application Process for Vendors
Business name registration (Master Business Licence and/or Articles of Incorporation)
Ownership of vehicle/trailer
Propane certificate (if applicable)
Photograph of vehicle
Safety certificate
Commercial General Liability Insurance with a minimum of $2 million
Vehicle insurance certificate
Picture of the Fire Extinguisher presently available in the vehicle
Fire Suppression System Inspection Record dated within six months (also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System) if applicable

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 Peddler

Fees:

One to two days - $100
Three to five days - $200
More than five days - $30 per day

Note: there is a $75 application fee for each application.

To apply, you must submit the following:

Site plan detailing the location
Special Event - Peddler Licence Application form

Peddler – Class B Special Events Organizer

Any 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:

$400 licensing fee
$75 application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

Special Event - Peddler Licence Application form
Commercial General Liability Insurance with a coverage between $2 million to $5 million naming the City as an additional insured
A proposed list of vendors
Site plan detailing the location of all participating vendors

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 Sales

A 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:

One to three months: $250 licensing fee
$75 application fee

To apply, you must submit the following:

• Proof of permission for the proposed site.

• Special Event - Peddler Licence Application form

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:

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

To apply, you must submit the following:

Commercial General Liability Insurance with a coverage between $2 million to $5 million naming the City as an additional insured
T.S.S.A. licence for the inflatable company
T.S.S.A. Device permits for each inflatable used at your event
Written approval from community members within a 100 metre radius of the event
Carnival Licence Application form

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:

Municipal Clearance form
Payment: $50
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 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:

Event of Municipal Significance Application form
Fee: $50

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:

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.