Operating a Business Downtown

Downtown Boundary

The boundaries are based on the Downtown Oshawa Urban Growth Centre identified in the Provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The area is comprised of a mix of uses and is intended to contain a concentration of retail, office, service, residential, cultural, institutional and transportation uses. All areas within the red outline below are considered Downtown Oshawa businesses. Looking to confirm if your business is located within the Downtown Oshawa boundary? Reach out [email protected].  

View the accessible Downtown Oshawa map

Financial Incentives

The City supports the growth, development and beautification of Downtown Oshawa and offers a number of financial incentive programs to support private investment and development:

• The City's portion of Development Charges have been eliminated for Downtown Oshawa development projects.
• The Urban Growth Centre Community Improvement Plan assists property owners with building façade and accessibility improvements, building and fire code upgrades, converting non-residential units to residential units and supports the creation of high-value jobs and economic development. There are currently five grant programs available within the Urban Growth Centre Community Improvement Plan:
  • Conversion to Residential Grant
  • Economic Stimulus Grant
  • Facade and Accessibility Improvement Grant
  • Increased Assessment Grant
  • Upgrade to Building and Fire Codes Grant
• Through the 2024 Mayor's Budget, a one-time fund of $100,000 has been established to support the business community in addressing the remediation of graffiti and vandalism acts to properties - the Graffiti and Vandalism Remediation Fund. This grant provides businesses with funds for eligible commercial or industrial property graffiti and vandalism repairs, or to implement eligible preventative measures. 

Licensing

Some businesses require a licence from the City of Oshawa, Region of Durham or even provincial or federal requirements in order to operate. BizPaL is an online source of information on permits and licences to start or grow your business. Before you open your business downtown, contact Business and Economic Development Services so that we can assist you through the licensing and permitting process.

Downtown Oshawa Sandwich Board Sign Permit 

Sandwich Board signs represent an important and affordable tool for business owners to advertise their businesses, particularly during the summer season, in the downtown.

Downtown Cleanup Program

The City of Oshawa has implemented a program to assist downtown businesses with daily cleanup of their street facing entrances. While other priorities or weather may occasionally impact the service level of the program, the goals are as follows:

• Clean-up will consist of staff going on properties to remove any debris left behind by undesired behaviours observed in the downtown area. This will include the front of properties and some alleyways. Work will be performed manually and/or using motorized equipment.
• Cleanups will occur seven days a week in the early mornings with shifts starting as early as 6 a.m.
• Any circumstances or areas that present a safety issue to staff will be avoided and staff will return at a future time.
• Program will run until winter control operations require staff to redirect their resources elsewhere.

In order to participate in this program, we ask that the business owner, or representative thereof, read and sign the agreement and return it to Service Oshawa.

•  Downtown Cleanup Program Agreement

Patios

Outdoor cafes and patios add vibrancy and life to Downtown Oshawa's sidewalks. The Temporary Sidewalk Patio Program offers the opportunity to bring your business into the public realm, and waives all licensing and parking lost-revenue fees for the first three years of patio operation.

Safety and Security

The Region of Durham is responsible for social services, shelters, community housing, public health and police services. Durham Regional Police Service (D.R.P.S.) have also implemented a new formalized process for authorizing D.R.P.S. to enforce the Trespass to Property Act on behalf of owners/occupants for an address or place of business. More information, including the Trespass to Property Act authorization form for your property, is available on the D.R.P.S. webpage.

Additional resources are available on the Durham Region Social Services Department webpage for vulnerable individuals, including those concerned about income, shelter, food security, mental health or transportation.

The City of Oshawa continues to invest in support with over $3 million spent annually to address health and safety for residents and businesses. Recent programs available include:

• support for our Downtown Business community through additional lighting, security, addressing graffiti and garbage removal;
• daily sidewalk and road cleaning programs in the downtown;
• daily cleanup of street facing business entrances in the downtown;
• introducing new opportunities for downtown businesses to apply for the Community Improvement Plan grant for security and safety items;
• proactive parks patrol and cleaning of trails and parks across the city;
• increased patrol 24/7 in the downtown by Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and Corporate Security Officers; and,
• Oshawa Fire’s new specialized Rapid Response Unit combined with 20 additional firefighters to support quick and efficient response to emergency calls.