Business Licences

Overview

A Business Licence is required for certain types of businesses in the City of St. Catharines. All Business Licences are renewable on an annual basis.

The related fees are provided for your convenience. By-law No. 2005-318 regulates the issuing of business licences.

Click here to view City of St. Catharines by-laws.

Process

Business Licences are subject to a number of conditions such as fire inspection, health inspection, and zoning approval. Contact information is provided directly following the applications. Additional information may be obtained through the Corporate Support Services Department, City Clerk's Office, regarding application procedures.

The following business licence forms are provided to assist in the application process:

Click here to download the Application to Operate an Adult Entertainment Parlour

Click here to download the Application to Operate an Amusement Arcade

Click here to download the Application to Operate a Body Rub Parlour

Click here to download the Business Licence Application

Click here to download the Hawker and Peddler Licence Application

Click here to download the Master Plumber's Licence Application

Click here to download the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival Special Vendors Application

Click here to download the Second Level Lodging House - Application to Operate

 General Business Information

Where do I obtain a Vendors Permit?

Inquiries may be made by calling 905.521.7504 or 1.800.263.9229 or in person at: Retail Sales Tax Office,199 King St. West, Hamilton, ON 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Click here to visit Canada Business Services for Entrepreneurs and Ontario Retail Tax information.

Do I Have to charge GST?

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is a federal agency established to administer tax, customs and trade services for the Government of Canada. Inquiries may be made in person at 32 Church St., Main Floor, P.O. Box 3038, St. Catharines, ON, L2R 3B9. Business hours are Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For GST inquiries, call 1.800.959.1953.

For business inquiries, call 1.800.959.5522.

For general inquiries, call 1.800.959.8281.

Click here to visit the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency

For services requiring payment, such as registering or renewing a business name, you may pay online at Service Ontario. The nearest Service Ontario location is 301 St. Paul St., St. Catharines, or call toll free 1.800.268.8758.

Click here to visit Service Ontario.

For inforamtion on zoning or other regulations that may affect new businesses, visit the Invest In section of this site.

Click here to visit Invest in.

Fees

Provided for your convenience are business types that require licences in the City of St. Catharines. Additional information may be obtained by  Contacting the Clerk's Office.

Type of Business	Licence Fee
Amusement Arcade	$0.50 per square feet gross usable floor space
Auctioneer	$50
Bill Poster	$50
Hawkers & Peddlers	City Resident, per year, per location $200 PLUS $15 per location per square feet if sidewalk or road allowance used minimum fee $500
Hawkers & Peddlers	Non-resident, per year, per location $615 PLUS $15 per location per square feet if sidewalk or road allowance used minimum $500
Master Plumbers & Plumbing Contractors	$77 Renewal $51 *must provide a copy of a Certificate of Qualification issued pursuant to the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act R.S.O. along with a letter of employment, if applicable.
Public Hall	$155
Non-profit or Charitable	$116
Refreshment Stand, Booth, Place, Restaurant	$140
Second level Lodging House	$200
Theatre & Drive-In Theatres	$175
Business Licence Refund Fee	$30