Business licences
Businesses operating in Waterloo may require a licence. Find out which type you need and apply online. Fees range based on the licence type. Processing time can take up to eight weeks.
On this page
- About business licences
- Renewing your licence
- What a licence application requires
- How to obtain proof of business status
- Applying for your licence
- Find licence requirements and fees
About business licences
Businesses must comply with the business licence bylaw, applicable fire, zoning regulations, and all other applicable municipal, provincial and federal regulations. Other general conditions:
- licences are non-transferable if a business is sold or moves to a new location
- businesses that require multiple licences must apply for each separately
Renewing your license
Every year you must renew your business licence. The city will send an email to the address we have associated with your business to remind you of the licence expiry. You can renew your licence through our online portal.
Late licence renewals are subject to a $50 late fee.
What a licence application requires
- completed application through our online application form (hard copy forms available in person)
- business owner authorization letter, if applicant is not the business owner
- certificate of insurance form completed by your insurer or insurance broker
- proof of business status:
- sole proprietor - copy of valid government issued photo ID
- partnership - copy of valid government issued photo ID for all partners
- corporation - articles of incorporation/corporation profile report or certificate of status must be in good standing and match the corporate registered addressed
Some business licences require an original copy of a criminal records check issued in the past six months. You can obtain this document at your local police service or online.
How to obtain the proof of business status
Corporation profile report
Provides current information on public record for a corporation. You can obtain this information through one of the following services:
Applying for your licence
- Register or sign in to apply for a licence online. Note - this application is not Internet Explorer compatible.
- Enter and submit all required information.
- Pay with credit card (online debit cards not accepted).
- If the business licence requires a police check, apply for a background check online.
Find the licence type you need
- Animals for entertainment
- Auctioneer
- Barber shop or beauty salon
- Bed and breakfast
- Contractor
- Donation box operator
- Dry cleaning or laundrette
- Fair
- Flyer distributor
- Food shop
- Food vehicle
- Home occupation
- Mobile vendor
- Motor vehicle facility
- Newspaper vending box operator
- Nightclub
- Pet services
- Portable sign lessor
- Private property parking enforcement contractor and officer
- Public hall
- Retail or service licence
- S.O.L.E.R - temporary patio licence
- Special sales
- Temporary vendor
- Vendor market
If you're not sure what licence type fits your business, contact us at 519-747-8785 or bl@waterloo.ca
Animals for entertainment
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: $152.15
Using animals to act or perform for the entertainment of individuals.
Required documents to apply:
- Copy of criminal record check.
- Written approval from the owner of the property being used for entertainment.
- Site plan of the event showing where and how the animals will be sheltered from the elements.
- Description of the number, type and use of the animals for the event.
Auctioneer
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: $152.15
Any person selling or putting up for sale: goods, wares, or merchandise by public auction.
Required documents to apply:
- An original criminal records check.
Barber shop or beauty salon
Initial Fee: $186.92
Renewal Fee: $161.93
Beauty treatments for hair, face, hands, feet, includes: waxing, tanning, body and ear piercing, micro-pigmentation, electrolysis and tattooing, does not include body rub parlour.
Required documents to apply:
- List of services offered.
- Declaration of compliance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
Bed and breakfast
Initial Fee:
-
Class A - $186.92
-
Class B - $340.16
Renewal Fee:
-
Class A - $161.93
-
Class B - $161.93
A single detached home where guest rooms are rented for tourism purposes. Cannot rent more than 28 straight days and does not include a hotel, motel, group home, lodging house or restaurant.
Required documents to apply:
- For a Class “A” Licence:
- Copy of criminal record check.
- Floor plan, which shows the units of measurement for the area.
- A parking plan.
- For a Class “B” Licence:
- The documents listed in section above.
- A fire safety plan.
Contractor
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: $152.15
A contractor is considered someone where their service is maintaining, altering, repairing, renovating or constructing buildings/structures or properties. This could include but not limited to being a contractor in:
- drain laying
- driveway paving
- fence installation
- fire safety
- H.V.A.C
- landscape
- plumbing
- pool installation
- general home renovator
It is not someone who is registered with the Tarion Warranty Corporation, who is an electrician, master electrician, or electrical contractor.
Required documents to apply:
- Proof of WSIB registration, unless self or independently employed.
- A description of the type of work that the licensee typically conducts.
Donation box operator
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: $152.15
Operating donation box(s) which is any container used for ongoing collection of donated clothing by the public. Additional permit is required for each donation box location.
Required documents to apply:
- List of locations of all boxes within Waterloo.
- Site plan for each donation box location.
- Written permission from each property owner where a donation box is located.
- Permit for each donation box, additional application is required.
Dry cleaning or laundrette
Initial Fee: $186.92
Renewal Fee: $161.93
Dry cleaning, dry dying, cleaning, pressing and spot or stain removal, or other similar applications to clothing or fabric or a business with automatic washing machines for public use.
Required documents to apply:
- Declaration of compliance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
Fair
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: not applicable
If you're hosting an exhibition, circus, menagerie and other similar show, which may include amusement equipment. If animals are used an animal entertainment licence may be required.
Required documents to apply:
- Copy of criminal record check.
- Written approval from the owner of the property being used.
- Evidence that all employees of the fair are covered by Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB).
- List of all exhibits, amusement equipment, games, shows and stalls.
- Evidence and approval from the TSSA to carry on the business of operating amusement devices.
Flyer distributor
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: $152.15
Distributing flyers in Waterloo through contract, employing people to distribute flyers. Does not include registered charities, community organization or political advertisements.
Required documents to apply:
- Only the documents listed at the top of the page.
Food shop
Initial Fee:
-
Class A - $186.92
-
Class B - $340.16
Renewal Fee:
-
Class A - $161.93
-
Class B - $161.93
Where food products are made or offered for sale, stored or sold but does not include a place which sells only bottled or canned beverages or pre-packaged candies other than those required to be kept frozen.
Required documents to apply:
- Fire safety plan submitted to the city's fire prevention division if the primary function of the business is to operate as a restaurant, cafe, bar or something similar and has an occupancy load of more than 60 persons. This must be submitted before applying for your business licence.
- Declaration of compliance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
- Annual fire inspection with licence renewal.
Please contact fire prevention at 519-884-6030 x 23306 if you require additional information about fire safety plans.
Food vehicle
Initial Fee:
-
$340.16
-
One day - $74.99
Renewal Fee:
-
$340.16
-
One day - not applicable
A motorized or non-motorized vehicle where food products are sold. This includes a food truck, food trailer, canteen truck, or food cart.
Required documents to apply:
- Proof of vehicle ownership.
- Annual fire inspection.
- TSSA approval for all equipment and appliances not approved by the CSA or ULC.
- Proof of annual fire inspection with a passed inspection by a third party fire suppression company.
- Plan for the containment and disposal of grey water, grease and garbage.
- Description of the type of food being served.
- If from a fixed location:
- written permission from the property owner
- site plan showing the location of the truck or trailer as it relates to other buildings on the property
- Certificate from a certified propane contractor confirming the equipment has been inspected and conforms with propane storage and handling regulation.
- If the vehicle is motorized:
- proof the vehicle is licensed as a commercial vehicle
- copy of the owner's valid driver's licence
Business conducted within a home by a permanent resident of the home, this does include a home office where clients are visiting, product is stored, and regular deliveries occur.
Required documents to apply:
- Copy of criminal record check.
- Proof that the applicant resides in the house the unit is associated with the business
- Floor plan of the entire dwelling unit with accurate measurements.
- Parking plan showing the location of employee and customer parking.
Mobile vendor
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: $152.15
Providing place-to-place products or services directly to a customers' home, using a vehicle or portable equipment. Includes cleaning services, but does not include a contractor, food vehicle, or temporary vendor.
Required documents to apply:
- Copy of criminal record check.
- Plan for the containment and disposal of grey water and garbage in a sanitary manner satisfactory to the City, if applicable.
- Technical Standards and Safety Authority Field Approval for all equipment and appliances that are not approved by the Canadian Standard Association or the Underwriter Laboratories of Canada, if applicable.
- Proof of an annual fire inspection, if applicable.
Motor vehicle facility
Initial Fee:
-
Class A - $186.92
-
Class B - $323.96
Renewal Fee:
-
Class A - $161.93
-
Class B - $161.93
New or used vehicle dealership, service station, repair shop, suppliers of new and used motor vehicle parts, vehicle inspection and insurance appraisal, vehicle rental and leasing, vehicle specialty and service shops.
Required documents to apply:
- Fire safety plan submitted to the city's fire prevention division if any of the following conditions are met, this must be submitted before applying for your business licence:
- Facility with occupancy load of more than 100 persons or
- Flammable material spray operations and an occupancy load of more than 25 persons
- Declaration of compliance with Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
Please contact fire prevention at 519-884-6030 x 23306 if you require additional information about fire safety plans.
Newspaper vending box operator
Initial Fee: $154.22
Renewal Fee: $154.22
Operating newspaper box(s) which is any box, crate or machine located on city property where any publication is circulated to the public. A permit is required for each newspaper vending box location.
Required documents to apply:
- List of locations of all boxes located on City of Waterloo property.
- Permit for each newspaper vending box, additional application is required.
Nightclub
Initial Fee: $340.16
Renewal Fee: $161.93
The primary function of providing commercial entertainment with an open floor area and limited seating for capacity of space. The main activities are dancing, listening to recorded or live music, and watching live performances. Food and beverages may be offered for sale as a secondary use.
Required documents to apply:
- Fire safety plan submitted by the city's fire prevention division.
- Copy of criminal record check.
- Declaration of compliance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
- Proof of annual fire inspection.
Please contact fire prevention at 519-884-6030 x 23306 if you require additional information about fire safety plans.
Pet services
Initial Fee: $186.92
Renewal Fee: $161.93
A business that operates as a pet care centre, pet grooming salon, or pet shop.
Required documents to apply:
- Copy of criminal records check.
- List of the types of animals sold.
Portable sign lessor
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: $152.15
Installing, leasing or renting portable signs.
No additional documents are required, other than what is stated at the top of the page.
Private property parking enforcement contractor and officer
Initial Fee:
-
Contractor - $152.15
-
Officer - $40.98
Renewal Fee:
-
Contractor - $152.15
-
Officer - $40.98
Contractor - providing parking enforcement services on private property.
Officer - providing parking enforcement services on behalf of an offices on private property.
Required documents to apply:
- Copy of criminal records check or security guard licence.
- Proof of the property owner's consent to conduct parking enforcement on their property.
- Enforcement officers are required to complete a training course before being issued a licence, please contact our office to schedule a training date.
View the bylaw description for the contractor
View the bylaw description for the officer
Public hall
Initial Fee: $340.16
Renewal Fee: $161.93
An entire or portion of a building that can be portable or a tent, with seating capacity of over 100. It is does not include a theatre licenced under the Film Classification Act, 2005, S.O. 2005, c.17.
Required documents to apply:
- Declaration of compliance.
- Proof of an annual fire inspection.
- Fire safety plan.
Please contact fire prevention at 519-884-6030 x 23306 if you require additional information about fire safety plans.
Retail or service licence - no food
Initial Fee: $178.02
Renewal Fee: not applicable
If you're operating a retail store or offering service to the public such as a clothing store, personal fitness, tax services, payday loans, tutoring services, or a similar business, you will require this business licence. This licence is not required if any other licence type is required. This licence is only required once, and there is no expiry.
S.O.L.E.R. - temporary patio licence
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: $152.15
A patio using off street parking areas, specific open spaces, or city property for commercial purposes for a limited time period.
Required documents to apply:
- Valid City of Waterloo Business Licence.
- Signed copy of the acknowledgment and indemnity form.
- Detailed sketch of the proposed expanded operating including measurements with labelling, property lines and existing structures on the drawing.
- Property owner authorization with a letter of permission.
- Certificate of insurance form with a minimum of 2 million general liability for the expanded space, minimum of 5 million general liability for businesses serving alcohol.
Special sales
Initial Fee: $74.99
Renewal Fee: not applicable
Sales that offers to sell or dispose of goods, wares or merchandise that is not standard for retail business. This includes but is not limited to liquidation sales and bankruptcy sales.
Required documents to apply:
- Detailed list all items for sale, must include the price to the owner and approximate retail value.
- Names and addresses of person(s) items were purchased and date(s) of purchase.
- If the items are not owned by the applicant, provide the association between the applicant and the owner.
- Specifics of any damage or other decay caused by fire, smoke, water or any other means.
- Any marketing materials used to announce and promote the sale during or before the date of the sale.
Temporary vendor
Initial Fee:
-
Less than 30 days per event - $71.42
-
More than 30 days per event - $84.87
Renewal Fee:
-
Less than 30 days per event - not applicable
-
More than 30 days per event - not applicable
Selling or offering goods or services for a period of time less than 90 days.
Required documents to apply:
- Written permission of the property owner where the temporary vendor will be located.
- Description of the goods and services to be offered.
- Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) approval for all equipment and appliances used which have not been approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters Laboratory of Canada (ULC) - if required.
- If a structure or a tent is being used for an event, please check with the building department for zoning regulations.
Vendor market
Initial Fee: $152.15
Renewal Fee: not applicable
Marketplace of multiple, short-term vendors, typically small or independent sellers who're selling their products or services in a shared space. Can include farmer's markets, craft fairs and pop-up shops.
Required documents to apply:
- Names of all vendors operating at the market.
- Description of goods or services offered for sale by each vendor.
- Declaration from the licensee(s) that there is an umbrella insurance policy that covers all vendors. If no umbrella policy then a declaration that each vendor taking part will have the minimum insurance coverage required.