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Step 5 of 12

Check your municipal licence and zoning

In Ontario, business licences are set by your city or town, and they vary a lot.

Time
1–2 hours
Cost
Varies by municipality

Check your municipal licence and zoning: step-by-step guide

Screenshots use a made-up example business. Official sites change, so yours may look slightly different.

  1. City of Toronto business regulations page with the list of businesses that do not need a licence open and the retail stores item highlighted
    1. Each city sets its own rules. Toronto, for example, says retail stores selling new, non-food items do not need a municipal operating licence. Look up your own city or town's licensing page in the same way.

Screenshots captured 2026-10-06. See something different? Report a problem

It depends on your municipality

There is no single Ontario business licence. Each city or town decides what it licenses, so the answer can be different a few kilometres away.

  • In Toronto, the city says retail and product stores that sell new items and no food do not need a municipal operating licence.
  • In Ottawa, you may need a municipal business licence depending on your business, so check its licensing pages.

Look up your own municipality rather than assuming either answer applies to you.

Home-based business

Even when no licence is required, zoning bylaws may limit what you can do from home, such as customer visits, signage, deliveries or storing stock. Check before you start.

Be upfront about what you sell

Some products or business types carry extra bylaws or requirements, including food. Tell your municipality exactly what you will sell so you know before you start, not after.

Keep the answer

If the city confirms you do not need a licence, get that in writing or save the page. Banks and suppliers sometimes ask.

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