Skip to Content

City of Oshawa homepage City of Oshawa homepage

Text Resize

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Default High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact [email protected]

View Our Accessibility Plan

  • Careers
  • Live Chat
  • Apply & Register
    • Animal Licence
    • Apply for a Job
    • Bid Opportunity
    • Blue Box and Green Bin
    • Building Permits
    • Business Licence
    • Certification of Recognition
    • Development Application
    • Freedom of Information Request
    • Grant or Rebate
    • Parking Permit
  • Pay & Buy
    • Animal Licences
    • By-law Penalty
    • Donations
    • Parking Tickets
    • Property Taxes
    • Recreation Program
  • Get Involved
    • Attend or View a Meeting
    • Connect with Oshawa
    • Contact Council
    • Service Feedback
    • Speak at a meeting
    • Submit a Complaint
    • Volunteer
  • Report an Issue
    • City or Park Tree Maintenance
    • Faulty Parking Meter or Pay Machine
    • Lost Pet
    • Missed Garbage Collection
    • Parks or Trail Maintenance
    • Roadway or Sidewalk Maintenance
    • Streetlight Out
    • Service Oshawa Online
Contact Us
  • Parks, Recreation and Culture
    • Parks, Recreation and Culture
    • Arts and Culture
    • Community Clubs, Groups and Organizations
    • Events Calendar
    • Festivals and Events
    • History and Heritage
    • Libraries
    • Parks, Trails and Open Spaces
    • Recreation
    • Visiting Oshawa
    • Volunteering
    • Waterfront
  • Home and Property
    • Home and Property
    • Animal Services
    • Building and Renovating
    • Cemeteries
    • City Services Map
    • Environment
    • Fire Services
    • Garbage, Recycling and Green Bin
    • Housing Permits and Licences
    • New Subdivision Homeowners
    • New to Oshawa
    • Parking
    • Property Maintenance and Standards
    • Property Taxes
    • Snow Clearing
    • Tenants
    • Traffic Safety
    • Zoning
  • Fire Services and Community Support
    • Fire Services and Community Support
    • Accessibility
    • Animal Services
    • Community Engagement
    • Community Safety, Security and Well-Being
    • COVID-19
    • Education
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Feed the Need Oshawa
    • Fire Services
    • Oshawa Community Grants
    • PulsePoint
    • Seniors
    • Tribute Communities Centre Suite and Bowl Tickets
    • Unsheltered or Homelessness
  • Transportation and Parking
    • Transportation and Parking
    • Cycling
    • Development Map
    • Interactive Map
    • Oshawa Executive Airport
    • Parking
    • Regional Roads
    • Road and Sidewalk Closures
    • Road and Engineering Projects
    • Road Maintenance
    • Road Permits
    • Roundabouts
    • Snow Clearing
    • Street Naming Policy
    • Traffic Safety
    • Transit
    • Weight Restrictions
  • Business and Development
    • Business and Development
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Building and Renovating
    • Business Directory
    • Business Licences and Permits
    • Development Map
    • Downtown Oshawa
    • Filming in Oshawa
    • GO East Durham
    • Housing Permits and Licences
    • Incentives and Programs
    • Invest Oshawa
    • Major Construction and Renewal Projects
    • Mayors Economic Recovery Task Force
    • Planning and Development
    • Shop Local
    • Sponsorship and Advertising
    • TeachingCity Oshawa
    • Tour of Growth and Development
  • City Hall
    • City Hall
    • Accessibility
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Budget and Financial
    • By-laws
    • Careers
    • City Committees
    • City Council
    • City Records
    • Commissioner of Oaths
    • Community Engagement
    • Complaints
    • Contact Us
    • COVID-19 Information and Updates
    • Departments
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Elections
    • Government Services
    • Major Construction and Renewal Projects
    • Merchandise and Souvenirs
    • News Centre
    • Our Oshawa
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
    • Recognition and Awards

Bowling ball and pins in bowling alley

Entertainment, Parlour and Public Hall Licences

HomeBusiness and DevelopmentBusiness Licences and PermitsEntertainment, Parlour and Public Hall Licences
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

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 establishment.

View the categories below for further information. For questions, please contact Licensing Services at 905-436-3311 ext. 2428 or email [email protected].

Adult Entertainment Parlour

Any premise 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. Adult Entertainment Parlours are only permitted to operate on the properties listed in Schedule "B" Section 42 of the Business Licensing By-Law.

Fees:

  • $3,075 ($75 annual application fee plus $3,000 annual licence fee)
Contact our office at 905-436-3311 ext. 2428 or email [email protected] for detailed information on obtaining your Adult Entertainment Parlour Licence.

Billiard Hall

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

Fees:

  • $225 ($75 annual application fee plus $150 annual licence fee)
To apply for a new Billiard Hall Licence, you must submit the following documents:
  • Business Licence Application form
  • Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence
  • Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
  • Copy of ownership or lease for your place of business
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your application)

To renew your Billiard Hall Licence you must submit the following document:

  • Business Licence Renewal form   

Body Rub Parlour

A Body Rub Parlour includes any premise where a Body Rub is performed, offered or solicited in pursuance of a trade, calling, business or occupation. This does not include any premise or part thereof where the body rubs performed are for the purpose of 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. 

Body Rub Parlours are only allowed to operate in the City of Oshawa within the geographic limits of the three (3) areas described in Schedule “O” of the Business Licensing By-Law.

Owner and Operator

Fee:

  • $1,500 annual licence fee

To apply for a new Body Rub Parlour Owner and Operator Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence
  • Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
  • Valid Photo ID
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your application)
  • Copy of ownership or lease for your place of business
  • List of your employees
  • Floor plan sketch/drawing of the premises (this can be hand drawn)

Apply for a new Body Rub Parlour Owner and Operator Licence 

To renew your current Body Rub Parlour Owner and Operator Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Valid Photo ID
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your renewal application)
  • List of your employees
  • Floor plan sketch/drawing of the premises (if changes were made in the past year)
  • Durham Region Health Inspection Report

Renew your Body Rub Parlour Owner and Operator Licence 

Owner who does not Operate

 Fee:

  • $1,400 annual licence fee

To apply for a new Body Rub Parlour Owner who does not Operate Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence
  • Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
  • Valid Photo ID
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your application)
  • Copy of ownership or lease for your place of business
  • List of your employees
  • Floor plan sketch/drawing of the premises (this can be hand drawn)

Apply for a new Body Rub Parlour Owner who does not Operate Licence 

To renew your current Body Rub Parlour Owner who does not Operate Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Valid Photo ID
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your renewal application)
  • List of your employees
  • Floor plan sketch/drawing of the premises (if changes were made in the past year)
  • Durham Region Health Inspection Report

Renew your Body Rub Parlour Owner who does not Operate Licence 

Operator other than Owner

 Fee:
  • $100 annual licence fee

To apply or renew a Body Rub Parlour Operator other than Owner Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Valid Photo ID
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your application)

Apply or renew a Body Rub Parlour Operator other than Owner Licence 

Body Rub Attendant

 Fee:
  • $100 annual licence fee

To apply or renew a Body Rub Parlour Attendant Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Valid Photo ID
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your application)
  • Medical Certificate of Health (dated within thirty (30) days of your application)

Apply or renew a Body Rub Parlour Attendant Licence 

Bowling Alley

Fees:
  • $195 ($75 annual application fee plus $120 annual licence fee)
To apply for a new Bowling Alley Licence, you must submit the following documents: 
  • Business Licence Application form
  • Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence
  • Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
  • Copy of ownership or lease for your place of business

To renew your Bowling Alley Licence, you must submit the following document:

  • Business Licence Renewal form

Place of Amusement 

A building or part of a building within which three (3) or more amusement machines are available to the public.

Fees:

  • $250 ($75 annual application fee plus $175 annual licence fee)
To apply for a new Place of Amusement Licence, you must submit the following documents: 
  • Business Licence Application form
  • Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence
  • Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
  • Copy of ownership or lease for your place of business
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your application)

To renew your Place of Amusement Licence, your must submit the following documents:

  • Business Licence Renewal form
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your application) - this is only required every five (5) years

Public Hall

A building or a part of a building, including a portable building, with patios and decks, with a capacity of more than one hundred fifty (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:

  • $275 ($75 annual application fee plus $200 annual licence fee)

To apply for a new Public Hall Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence 
  • Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
  • Copy of ownership or lease for your place of business
  • Proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than three million dollars ($3,000,000) per occurrence with coverage including occupiers' liability and public liability 
  • Electrical System Inspection Form signed by a qualified licensed electrician (dated within three (3) months of your application) 
  • Occupancy Load Certificate provided by Oshawa Fire Services 
  • Floor plan that must include:
    • Perimeter and total area of the premises
    • Location and dimensions of exits
    • Location and dimensions of seating arrangements, tables, bars, pool tables, and arcade games proposed for the premises
    • Location of fire safety systems, including fire alarms, emergency lighting, and exit signs

Apply for a new Public Hall Licence 

To renew your Public Hall Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than three million dollars ($3,000,000) per occurrence with coverage including occupiers' liability and public liability 
  • Electrical System Inspection Form signed by a qualified licensed electrician (dated within three (3) months of your application) - this is only required every five (5) years

Renew your Public Hall Licence 

Business and Development
  • Business Licences and Permits
    • Driving School and Instructor Licences
    • Entertainment, Parlour and Public Hall Licences
    • Food Licences
    • Licences for Buying and/or Selling Goods
    • Lottery Licences
    • Payday Loan Establishment Licence
    • Pet and Pet Store Licences
    • Public Garage Licence
    • Sign Permits
    • Special Event Licences
    • Vehicles for Hire
  • View Full Business and Development Menu
    • Business and Development
    • Bid Opportunities
    • Building and Renovating
    • Business Directory
    • Development Map
    • Downtown Oshawa
      • Downtown Sidewalk Snow Clearing
      • Downtown Waste Collection
      • Investing in Downtown
      • Operating a Business Downtown
      • Plan 20Thirty
      • Temporary Sidewalk Patio Program
      • Visiting Downtown Oshawa
    • Filming in Oshawa
    • GO East Durham
      • About GO East Durham
      • Economic Impact
      • Our Partners
      • Project History
    • Housing Permits and Licences
      • Group Homes and Lodging Houses
      • Residential Rental Housing
      • Short-term Rentals
      • Two-Unit Houses
    • Incentives and Programs
    • Invest Oshawa
      • Business News and Events
      • Incentives and Support
        • Community Improvement Plans
          • Brownfields Renaissance
          • Harbour Road Area
          • Simcoe Street South
          • Urban Growth Centre
          • Wentworth Street West
        • Heritage Property Tax Reduction
        • Urban Design Awards
        • Small Business Support
      • Key Sectors
        • Advanced Manufacturing
        • Energy Generation
        • Health and Biosciences
        • Information Technologies
        • Multimodal Transportation and Logistics
      • Why Oshawa
        • Available Land and Buildings
          • Northwood Business Park
          • Site Selection Assistance
        • Demographics
        • Education and Talent
        • Innovation and Learning
        • Labour Force
        • Proximity to Markets
        • Transportation Logistics
    • Major Construction and Renewal Projects
    • Mayors Economic Recovery Task Force
    • Planning and Development
      • Development Applications
        • Committee of Adjustment
        • Land Severance
        • Official Plan
        • Plans of Condominium
        • Plans of Subdivision
        • Sign Variance
        • Site Alterations
        • Site Plan Control
        • Zoning
      • Development Charges
      • Development Studies
      • Engineering Design
        • Standard Drawings
          • OS-100 - Abbreviations
          • OS-200 - Grading Sections
          • OS-300 - Sidewalks and Driveways
          • OS-400 - Pavements Markings and Signage
          • OS-500 - Paving
          • OS-600 - Curb and Gutter
          • OS-700 - Catchbasins and Maintenance Holes
          • OS-800 - Endwalls and Bedding
          • OS-900 - Fencing
          • OS-1000 - Standard Subdivision Drawings
      • Environmental Assessments
      • Official Plan
      • Search of Records (Compliance Letter)
      • Zoning
    • Shop Local
      • Local business guide
      • Support Black-Owned Businesses
      • Why Support Local
    • Sponsorship and Advertising
      • Sponsorship Program
    • TeachingCity Oshawa
      • About TeachingCity
      • Collaborate with us
        • Analysis of Pedestrian and Traffic Data
        • Development of Staff Training Videos
        • Evaluating Playground Surfaces
        • Increasing Knowledge of Local Government
        • Low Impact Development in Parks
        • Impact of Social Media Messages
        • The Vibrancy and Health of Downtown
      • Projects
        • Featured Project
        • Projects
      • Publications
    • Tour of Growth and Development

Contact Us

© 2022 City of Oshawa

Service Oshawa
1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall
50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7

Phone: 905-436-3311
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4292
Email: [email protected]

  • Resources

    • Accessibility
    • Contact Us
    • Freedom of Information
    • Land Acknowledgement
    • Privacy & Terms of Use
    • Sitemap
    • Website Feedback
  • Open new window to view our Facebook page
  • Open new window to view our Twitter page
  • Open new window to view our Instagram page
  • Open new window to view our Youtube page
  • Open new window to view our LinkedIn page

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.