Food Licences

Food Shop Licence

Fees: 

• $225 ($75 annual application fee plus $150 annual licence fee)

To apply for a new Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence or Franchise Agreement
• 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 one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence 

Apply for a new Food Shop Licence 

To renew your current Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following document:

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

Renew your Food Shop Licence 

Accessory to Food Shop Licence

An Accessory to Food Shop refers to any outdoor place adjacent to your business where food stuffs intended for immediate consumption are made for sale, offered for sale, stored or sold. For example, a barbecue in front of a restaurant or on a patio would be considered an Accessory to Food Shop.

To apply for an Accessory to Food Shop Licence, you must have a valid Food Shop Licence. If you are applying for a new Food Shop Licence, you can apply for an Accessory to Food Shop Licence at the same time. 

There are no fees for this annual licence. 

To apply for a new licence or renew your current Accessory to Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following document:

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

Apply or renew an Accessory to Food Shop Licence 

Home Occupation Food Shop Licence

A Home Occupation Food Shop is any dwelling unit where food items intended for human consumption are made for sale, offered for sale, stored or sold. A Home Occupation Food Shop Licence is a two (2) year licence. 

Fees for a two (2) year licence:

• $225 ($75 application fee plus $150 licence fee)

To apply for a new Home Occupation Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Floor plan of the area of the home dedicated to the Home Occupation Food Shop, complete with room measurements (this can be hand drawn)
• Durham Region Health Inspection Report (if applicable)

Apply or renew a Home Occupation Food Shop Licence 

How long does it take to get a Food Shop Licence?

What inspections are required?

Approvals from Oshawa Fire Services (O.F.S.), Property Standards, and Durham Region Health (D.R.H.) are required before your Food Shop 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. D.R.H. inspects your facilities in order to issue you a Green Dine Safe Pass. 

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 Food Shop Licence cannot be issued until it is closed. 

Where can I open up my Food Shop business?

Can I transfer my Food Shop Licence?

Business licences issued by the City of Oshawa, including Food Shop 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 Food Shop Licence. If you are moving your Food Shop business to a different location, you will have to apply for a new Food Shop Licence. 

 Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence

Fees:

• $300 ($75 annual application fee plus $225 annual licence fee)

To apply for a new Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Vehicle or trailer ownership
• Photograph of the vehicle or trailer
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence
• Vehicle Safety Standards Certificate (if applicable)
• Vehicle insurance certificate (if applicable)
• Picture of the on board fire extinguisher
• Propane Certificate T.S.S.A. (if applicable)
• Fire suppression system inspection record dated within six (6) months; also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System (if applicable)

Apply for a new Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence 

To renew your current Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Vehicle or trailer ownership
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence
• Vehicle Safety Standards Certificate (if applicable)
• Vehicle insurance certificate (if applicable)
• Picture of the on board fire extinguisher
• Propane Certificate T.S.S.A. (if applicable)
• Fire suppression system inspection record dated within six (6) months; also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System (if applicable)

Renew you Mobile Refreshment Vehicle Licence 

 Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence

Fees:

• $300 ($75 annual application fee plus $225 annual licence fee)

To apply for a new Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Lease agreement or letter of authorization from the property owner of the proposed location of the Refreshment Vehicle
• Map of the property showing where your Stationary Refreshment Vehicle will operate and parking spaces
• Vehicle or trailer ownership
• Photograph of the vehicle or trailer
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence
• Picture of the on board fire extinguisher
• Propane Certificate T.S.S.A. (if applicable)
• Fire suppression system inspection record dated within six (6) months; also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System (if applicable)

Apply for a new Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence 

To renew your current Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence
• Picture of the on board fire extinguisher
• Propane Certificate T.S.S.A. (if applicable)
• Fire suppression system inspection record dated within six (6) months; also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System (if applicable)

Renew you Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence 

Are Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles permitted in parks, or near schools and recreation centres?

The consent of all property owners is required in order to operate on a lot. If the City or a school were to permit a specific location, the Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicle would be able to operate there. If written consent has not been provided from the City/school for a particular location, the vendor would not be permitted to operate there.

Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles are prohibited from operating within one hundred metres (100 m) of a park and/or school; nevertheless, they are exempt from the one hundred metres (100 m) proximity requirement if they are operating on a highway closed under a special event permit and/or at a park where a special event is being held; and, if the Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicle has obtained written consent from the special event permit holder. Additionally, Refreshment Vehicles are exempt from this distance requirement if the property owner or the school administration, as applicable, has given written permission for the Refreshment Vehicle to operate on the property.

Are Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles permitted to operate near residential areas?

Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles, such as ice cream trucks, are permitted to roam through residential areas for up to ten minutes. These ten minutes extend if people within the queue have not been served. Refreshment Vehicles must obey all parking restrictions.

Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles are prohibited from operating within residential areas between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicles are only permitted to operate on highways abutting residential zones for a longer period if the highway is closed due to a permitted special event and the Mobile/Motorized Refreshment Vehicle has written consent from the special event permit holder.

Are there proximity restrictions for operating near businesses?

• Cannot operate within twenty metres (20 m) of a restaurant or bar unless participating in a special event where the City has issued a permit
• Cannot operate within one hundred metres (100 m) of any park or school unless the refreshment vehicle has obtained written consent from the property owner or the school administration to vend on the property

• Cannot operate within one hundred metres (100 m) of any special special event unless the special event permit holder has provided written consent

• Cannot operate on any lot without the consent of the property owner

Can Mobile Refreshment Vehicles operate in the downtown core?

Refreshment Vehicles are only permitted on three (3) streets outlined on the Downtown Refreshment Vehicle Map:

• Bagot Street
• Metcalf Street
• a portion of Richmond Street East

They must ensure the parking meter is paid for the duration of the time they are occupying per space. Refreshment Vehicles must obey all other parking restrictions.

Can I have a Mobile and Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence for the same Refreshment Vehicle?

No, a Refreshment Vehicle cannot have a Mobile and Stationary Refreshment Vehicle Licence at the same time. A Refreshment Vehicle must either be mobile or stationary. 

 Short Term Food Shop Licence

Fees:

• $75 application fee – if you have a valid Oshawa Food Shop Licence, you do not need to pay this fee
• $30 per day you are vending at the event location

To apply for a Short Term Food Shop Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Durham Region Health “Community Special Events and Farmers’ Markets Vendor Application Form” 
• If you are cooking/warming/heating, refrigerating or using a generator or electrical source at the event:
  • Picture of your fire extinguisher that will be at the event
  • Picture of the manufacture date of your fire extinguisher
  • Fire extinguisher maintenance record tag or documentation from the service contractor

Apply for a Short Term Food Shop Licence 

 Temporary Refreshment Vehicle Licence

Fees:

• $75 application fee
• $95 licence fee – up to five (5) days at the same location

To apply for a Temporary Refreshment Vehicle Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Durham Region Health “Community Special Events and Farmers’ Markets Vendor Application Form” 
• Business Name Registration/Master Business Licence
• Articles of Incorporation (if applicable)
• Vehicle or trailer ownership
• Photograph of the vehicle or trailer
• Commercial General Liability Insurance Certificate with a liability limit of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence
• Vehicle Safety Standards Certificate (if applicable)
• Vehicle insurance certificate (if applicable)
• Picture of the on board fire extinguisher
• Propane Certificate T.S.S.A. (if applicable)
• Fire suppression system inspection record dated within six (6) months; also known as N.F.P.A. 96 Commercial Cooking Suppression System (if applicable)

Apply for a Temporary Refreshment Vehicle Licence