Operating a Business Downtown
At the Heart of Our City is Downtown Businesses
Downtown Oshawa is a great place to do business. There are 300 businesses, over 8,000 people that work downtown and 3,000 students studying full-time. With over 58 restaurants, it is no wonder that Downtown Oshawa is the creative hub for entertainment, culture, dining and academia.
The City of Oshawa is here to support you in your business journey just as you have supported the community. This page is here to give downtown Oshawa business owners a landing pad to explore supports, resources and opportunities to help businesses thrive.
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] |
Incentives |
The city supports the growth, development and beautification of Downtown and offers a number of incentive programs to support private investment and development:
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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:
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. |
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. |
Quick Links
Our team is here to support you and help your business thrive in our community. Reach out:
Oshawa Economic Development Services
905-436-5617
[email protected]
Mary Cousineau
Manager, Downtown and Business Development
905-436-3311 ext. 3829
[email protected]