Operating a Business Downtown

 Downtown Boundary

The limits of downtown Oshawa stretch from West to East starting at the Oshawa Creek, encapsulated by the Urban Growth Centre, defined by the Ontario government's Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.  In 2021, Plan 20Thirty established an expanded upon the downtown Oshawa boundary to include northern and southern sections of Simcoe Street. 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

Incentives

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

• The City's portion of Development Charges have been eliminated for Downtown 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.
• The Simcoe Street South Community Improvement Plan assists property owners with building façade improvements in this designated area.

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.

Adopted as a  three year Pilot Project to permit Sandwich Board Signs in the Central Business District (C.B.D.) zones downtown, it allows business owners to place sandwich board signs on private properties and within the public boulevard, including the sidewalk.

Downtown Programs 

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

Parking Downtown

There is plenty of parking in Downtown. Tokens can be purchased for use at parking meters, surface lots and municipal parkades from Service Oshawa located in City Hall and at the Mary St. Parkade, 1 Mary St. N., Oshawa.

More information about Downtown Parking. 

Patios

Outdoor cafes and patios add vibrancy and life to Downtown Oshawa's sidewalks. The Downtown Oshawa Sidewalk Café Program offers 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. If you are interested in opening a café downtown, contact Business and Economic Development Services for assistance.