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inside a parking garage

Vehicle Establishment Licences

HomeBusiness and DevelopmentBusiness Licences and PermitsVehicle Establishment Licences
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The City’s review of the Business Licensing By-law has been completed and Business Licensing By-law 122-2024 is effective November 4, 2024. Details on the review along with the approved program enhancements are available in Report SF-24-06. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

A Vehicle Establishment is any premises that provides sales, rental, storage or services for vehicles. Vehicle Establishment Licences include the following licence classes:

  • Class "A" Fuelling, Washing, Storage and Rental Services
  • Class "B" Sales and Repair Services

 You must apply for the licence class that applies to your type of business operation.

This licence class may qualify for a Modular Licence.

 Class “A” Fuelling, Washing, Storage and Rental Services
Class “A” Fuelling, Washing, Storage and Rental Services includes one (1) or more of the following business operations:
  • Fuel Bar – such as a gas station;
  • Automobile Rental Establishment – such as a car/truck rental; or
  • Car Wash – such as a mechanical, automatic or self car wash.

Application Requirements 

Fees for a new Class “A” Fuelling, Washing, Storage and Rental Services Licence: $300 ($50 application fee plus $250 new licence fee).

To apply for a new Class “A” Fuelling, Washing, Storage and Rental Services Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Business Name Registration
  • Articles of Incorporation (if applicable) 
  • Property Ownership or Lease of Premises for your place of business
  • For Fuelling, Storage or Rental Services, a Basic Floor Plan of Premises, including:
    • Site plan sketch/diagram/drawing showing the location and arrangement of the building and waiting areas for which the Vehicle Establishment Licence is sought depicting the existing conditions on the street frontage of the site of the garage including the location of trees, poles, hydrants, driveways and the nature of adjoining premises
  • For any business operation that includes Washing Services, an Enhanced Floor Plan of Premises, including:
    • Scaled site plan sketch/diagram/drawing showing site features above along with vehicle waiting spaces and waiting lines
  • Proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence

Apply for a new Class "A" Fuelling, Washing, Storage and Rental Services Licence 

Renewal Requirements 

Fees to renew your current Class “A” Fuelling, Washing, Storage and Rental Services Licence: $250 ($50 application fee plus $200 renewal licence fee).

To renew your current Class “A” Fuelling, Washing, Storage and Rental Services Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence

Renew your Class "A" Fuelling, Washing, Storage and Rental Services Licence

 

 Class “B” Sales and Repair Services
Class “B” Sale and Repair Services includes one (1) or more of the following business operations:
  • Automobile Body Shop – such as a body shop, paint shop or collision centre;
  • Automobile Repair Garage – such as a mechanic;
  • Automobile Sales and Service Establishment – such as a car dealership; or
  • Automobile Service Station – an Automobile Repair Garage with a Fuel Bar,

and can combined with one (1) or multiple of the following Class “A” business operations:

  • Automobile Rental Establishment – such as a car/truck rental or
  • Car Wash – such as a mechanical, automatic or self car wash.

Application Requirements

Fees for a new Class “B” Sales and Repair Services Licence: $300 ($50 application fee plus $250 new licence fee).

To apply for a new Class “B” Sales and Repair Services Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Business Name Registration
  • Articles of Incorporation (if applicable) 
  • Property Ownership or Lease of Premises for your place of business
  • For Sales, Repair or Service Station, a Basic Floor Plan of Premises, including: 
    • Site plan sketch/diagram/drawing showing the location and arrangement of the building and waiting areas for which the Vehicle Establishment Licence is sought depicting the existing conditions on the street frontage of the site of the garage, including the location of trees, poles, hydrants, driveways and the nature of adjoining premises
  • For any business operation that includes Washing Services, an Enhanced Floor Plan of Premises, including:
    • Scaled site plan sketch/diagram/drawing showing site features above, along with vehicle waiting spaces and waiting lines
  • Proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your application) – this is required every five (5) years.

Apply for a new Class "B" Sales and Repair Services Licence 

Renewal Requirements

Fees to renew your current Class “B” Sales and Repair Services Licence: $275 ($50 application fee plus $225 renewal licence fee).

 To renew your current Class “B” Sales and Repair Services Licence, you must submit the following documents:

  • Proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance with a liability limit of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence
  • Level 1 Criminal Record Check (dated within thirty (30) days of your application) – this is required every five (5) years.

Renew your Class "B" Sales and Repair Services Licence

Frequently Asked Questions about Vehicle Establishment Licences

Where do I get a Criminal Record Check?

If you live in the Durham Region, you can request a Criminal Record Check (C.R.C.) online from the Durham Regional Police Service. If you do not live in the Durham Region, you can request your C.R.C. from the police of the municipality you live in. 

How long does it take to get a Vehicle Establishment Licence?
A new Vehicle Establishment Licence takes about two (2) to four (4) weeks to issue. However this is dependent on the inspections and approvals required from various departments.
What inspections are required?

Approvals from Oshawa Fire Services (O.F.S.) and Property Standards are required before your Vehicle Establishment Licence can be issued. Once you submit your application, we will contact these departments to let them know that your business needs these inspections.

O.F.S. ensures your business is compliant with the Fire Code and our Property Standards Officers check for compliance with the City’s Property Standards By-law. 

What if my business is being renovated or under construction?

If you are doing renovations or construction on your business, you may need a building permit. You can visit the Building Services webpage for more information. If you need a business sign installed, please visit the Sign Permits webpage. 

If you have an active building permit, your Vehicle Establishment Licence cannot be issued until it is closed. 

Where can I open up my Vehicle Establishment business?
To check the zoning for your proposed business location, you can contact Planning Services and visit their Zoning webpage. 
Can I transfer my Vehicle Establishment Licence?

Business licences issued by the City of Oshawa, including Vehicle Establishment Licences, cannot be transferred to a new owner or to another location. If you are selling your business, the new owner will have to apply for a new Vehicle Establishment Licence. If you are moving your Vehicle Establishment business to a different location, you will have to apply for a new Vehicle Establishment Licence. 

Licences previously issued under Repealed Business Licensing By-law 120-2005 are valid for the duration of licence term and are subject to the requirements, regulations and conditions found in By-law 120-2005. Any renewal of a licence after that term has expired is subject to the requirements, regulations and conditions of Business Licensing By-law 122-2024.

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