Guide to obtaining a Business Licence in Clarence-Rockland
This guide outlines the requirements for obtaining and maintaining a business licence under Business Licensing By-law 2026-83, including who requires a licence, how to apply, and the responsibilities of licence holders.
Confirm Your Business Category
Business Category
Description
Animal Kennel
A business that boards, breeds, trains, or cares for animals for payment, including dog daycares and boarding facilities.
Auctioneer
A business that sells goods to the highest bidder on behalf of individuals or organizations.
Body Piercing & Tattoo Parlour
A business that provides tattooing, body piercing, permanent makeup, or other body modification services.
Caterer
A business that prepares food and serves it at events or locations other than where it was prepared.
Circus / Carnival
A temporary entertainment business that may include rides, games, exhibits, performances, or concessions.
Food / Beverage Establishment
A business that prepares, serves, sells, or offers food or beverages to the public, such as a restaurant, café, bar, or take-out establishment.
Home-Based Business
A business operated from a residence by someone who lives in the home.
Old Gold / Jewellery Sales
A business that buys, sells, trades, or appraises used jewellery, gold, silver, or other precious metals.
Pawnbroker
A business that lends money using personal property as security or buys items with an agreement allowing the owner to repurchase them later.
Salvage Yard
A business that collects, stores, processes, dismantles, or sells scrap metal, vehicle parts, machinery, or other salvage materials.
Storage Unit Business
A business that rents storage units or storage space to the public.
Taxi / Car for Hire Service
A business that transports passengers for payment using taxis, limousines, or similar vehicles.
Trailer Camp / Campground
A business that provides temporary accommodation for trailers, RVs, tents, or similar structures for a fee.
Business Category
Description
Current By-law in Effect
Guide
Refreshment Vehicles and Chip Wagons
Food trucks, chip wagons, and other mobile food vendors.
Businesses that temporarily sell or offer goods, merchandise, or services at an indoor or outdoor location.
Transient Trader By-law
Guide coming soon
Lodging Houses (Group Homes)
Lodging houses and group homes regulated through a separate municipal licensing framework.
Lodging House Licensing By-law
Guide coming soon
Adult Entertainment Establishments
Businesses that provide adult entertainment services and are regulated under a separate licensing framework.
Adult Entertainment Establishment By-law
Guide coming soon
Adult Entertainment Parlours
Adult entertainment parlours regulated under a separate licensing framework.
Adult Entertainment Parlour By-law
Guide coming soon
Before You Apply
Gather your information and supporting documents before starting your application.
Business licence applications must include the required information, supporting documentation, and applicable fees. Depending on the nature of your business, additional approvals, certifications, or inspections may be required before a licence can be issued.
To apply for a business licence, you must submit a completed application form and pay the applicable fee. At a minimum, your application must include the following information:
Required Information
Description
Applicant Name
Name of the individual or business applying for the licence.
Applicant Address
Mailing address of the applicant.
Business Type
The type of business you operate or intend to operate.
Supporting Documents
Any documents required to review your application.
The documents required will depend on the type of business and the approvals needed to review your application.
Document
When It May Be Required
Proof of Insurance
Required for all licensed businesses.
Food Handler Certificate
May be required for food-related businesses.
Site Plan
May be required to review the proposed business location.
Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) Certificate
May be required where electrical approvals are necessary.
Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) Certification
May be required where regulated equipment or systems are involved.
Additional documentation, approvals, or inspections may be required depending on the nature of your business.
Businesses licensed under the Business Licensing By-law must maintain Commercial General Liability Insurance.
Requirement
Details
Minimum Coverage
$2 million per occurrence
Additional Insured
Must name the City of Clarence-Rockland as an additional insured
Notice of Changes
Policy must provide 30 days' written notice of cancellation, non-renewal, or material change
Proof of Insurance
Required when applying, when renewing, and upon request
Licence holders are responsible for maintaining insurance coverage for the duration of their licence.
Understanding Zoning and Location Requirements
A business licence does not exempt a business from complying with zoning, building, fire, health, or provincial requirements.
Before applying for a business licence, you should confirm that your business is permitted at the proposed location.
All businesses licensed under Business Licensing By-law 2026-83 must comply with the City's Zoning By-law and all other applicable municipal by-laws. A business licence cannot be issued for a use that is not permitted in the applicable zoning designation.
Businesses must:
Operate in compliance with the City of Clarence-Rockland Zoning By-law.
Obtain any approvals, permits, or authorizations required by other municipal, provincial, or federal agencies.
Operate only from locations where the proposed business use is permitted.
Continue to comply with all applicable laws throughout the term of the licence.
Zoning helps ensure that businesses operate in appropriate locations and are compatible with surrounding properties.
Depending on the type of business, zoning regulations may affect:
Where a business can operate
Permitted business activities
Parking requirements
Outdoor storage
Building and site requirements
Signage permissions
Confirming zoning compliance before submitting your application can help avoid delays in the licensing process.
Home-based businesses are permitted in some residential areas, subject to the requirements of the City's Zoning By-law.
If you plan to operate a business from your home, you should contact the Planning Department before applying to confirm that:
The business use is permitted
The proposed activities comply with zoning regulations
Any required approvals have been obtained
Not all business activities are permitted as home-based businesses.
This guide does not replace the City's Zoning By-law or other applicable legislation. Applicants are responsible for ensuring their business complies with all municipal requirements.
Before applying for a business licence, confirm that your proposed business is permitted at your location. Businesses that do not comply with the City's Zoning By-law may not be eligible for a licence. If you plan to operate a business from your home or are unsure whether a use is permitted, contact the Planning Department before submitting your application.
What Happens After I Apply?
Learn how your application is reviewed and approved.
Once your application is submitted, the City will review it to ensure all required information, supporting documents, and fees have been received. Complete applications may be circulated to municipal departments or external agencies for review. Additional inspections may also be required depending on the type of business. A licence can only be issued once all approvals, documentation, and applicable fees have been received.
Your Responsibilities as a Licence Holder
Understand what is required once your licence is issued.
Obtaining a business licence is only the first step. Licence holders must continue to comply with municipal by-laws, maintain required insurance coverage, and operate only within the business category for which the licence was issued. Businesses must also comply with applicable zoning regulations and any other municipal, provincial, or federal requirements.
If your business changes after a licence has been issued, you must notify the City. Some changes may also require a new application before you can continue operating under your licence.
Change
What You Need to Do
Change of Ownership
Notify the City within 7 days. A new application may also be required.
Change of Operating Name
Notify the City within 7 days.
Change to Insurance Coverage or Policy Lapse
Notify the City within 7 days.
Significant Change in Business Activities
Submit a new application.
Change in Business Location
Submit a new application.
Licences must be displayed in a prominent location at the business premises where they can be easily seen by customers. Businesses that operate from a vehicle or do not have a fixed location must keep the licence available and present it when requested.
Annual Confirmation and Renewal
Keep your business information up to date to maintain your licence.
Under the Business Licensing By-law, business licences remain valid unless they are suspended, revoked, cancelled, surrendered, or otherwise rendered invalid. Licence holders are required to annually confirm and update their business information with the City.
No. The City no longer requires active licence holders to purchase a new licence each year.
Instead, licence holders must complete an annual confirmation process to verify and update their business information.
No.
There is no fee charged for the annual renewal, confirmation, or updating of information for an active licence.
Additional fees may apply if inspections, technical reviews, transfers, amendments, or other municipal services are required.
During the annual confirmation process, licence holders may be required to review and update information associated with their business licence, such as:
Information to Review
Examples
Business Information
Business name, business address, contact information
Ownership Information
Ownership or business structure changes
Insurance Information
Current insurance coverage and policy details
Business Operations
Changes to business activities or licence classification
The City will prescribe the information required as part of the annual confirmation process.
Failure to complete the annual confirmation process may result in your licence being cancelled.
Licence holders who do not respond within 90 days of receiving notice from the City may lose their licence.
Existing Licence Holders
Already have a business licence? Here's what you need to know.
Business licences that were valid when the Business Licensing By-law came into effect on September 1, 2026, remain valid unless they are suspended or revoked under the new by-law.
As part of the City's transition to the new licensing system, existing licence holders will be required to reapply during the designated transition period. Once approved under the new system, businesses will no longer be required to purchase a new licence each year. Instead, licence holders will complete an annual confirmation process to verify and update their business information.
Date
Requirement
September 1, 2026
New Business Licensing By-law comes into effect.
December 31, 2026
Current licences remain valid until this date.
January 1 to February 1, 2027
Existing licence holders within the new categories will be required to reapply under the new system.
My business category no longer requires a licence
If your business is no longer included in one of the licensed categories listed in the Business Licensing By-law, you do not need to reapply for a business licence when the transition period begins.
Some business types that were previously licensed by the City are now regulated under separate by-laws or licensing programs.
If your business is a...
What you need to do
Refreshment Vehicle or Chip Wagon
Comply with the Refreshment Vehicle By-law.
Transient Trader
Comply with the Transient Trader By-law.
Lodging House (Group Home)
Comply with the Lodging House Licensing By-law.
Adult Entertainment Establishment
Comply with the Adult Entertainment Establishment By-law.
Adult Entertainment Parlour
Comply with the Adult Entertainment Parlour By-law.
