Businesses operating in Kitchener may need a business licence. Choose your business type below to apply. More inspections may be needed from planning, fire, public health, building, and plumbing. Our licensing services team will coordinate the inspection upon application.
On this page:
- How to apply
- About business licences
- Processing time
- Adult entertainment parlour
- Alternative massage centre
- Auctioneer
- Beauty salon or barber shop
- Buskers
- Commercial kitchens
- Contractors
- Convenience store
- Driving school
- Farmers’ market
- Food shop
- Laundrette or dry cleaner
- Lodging house
- Mobile business
- Motor vehicle facility
- Nightclub
- Old gold
- Payday loan establishment
- Permanent vendor
- Pet care establishment
- Pet shop
- Place of amusement
- Pop-up shop
- Public hall
- Refreshment vehicle
- Special events
- Street vendor
- Temporary vendor
- Theatre
How to apply
You can apply for a business licence:
- by mail
- in person at City Hall
- by appointment
- by dropping off your application at the Young Street entrance to City Hall
About business licences
Visit our business licences page to learn about:
- our business licensing bylaw
- general licence conditions
- renewing a business licence
- other licences and permits
Processing time
Depending on the inspection requirements, the standard processing time is two to three weeks.
Adult entertainment parlour
Definition: means any premises or any part thereof where, in pursuance of a business:
- goods, entertainment, or services that are designed to appeal to erotic or sexual appetites or inclinations are provided in the premises or part of the premises; or
- body-rubs, including the kneading, manipulating, rubbing, massaging, touching, or stimulating by any means of a person's body, are performed, offered, or solicited in the premises or part of the preemies unless such body-rubs are performed, offered, or solicited for the purpose of medical or therapeutic treatment and are performed or offered by persons otherwise duly qualified, licensed or registered to do so under the laws of the Province of Ontario.
Review the adult entertainment parlour regulations
| Application forms |
| New licence fees |
|
Class A: $459 Class B: $836 Class C: $864 Class D - Attendant: $126 Class D - Operator: $5,191 Class E: $6,235 |
| Renewal fees |
|
Class A: $104.04 Class B: $104 Class C: $116 Class D - Attendant: $126 Class D - Operator: $5,090 Class E: $6,235 |
Alternative massage centre
Definition: means any premises or part thereof in which alternative massage is provide for hire or gain or respecting which a licence has been granted. However, in the case of a publicly or privately funded post-secondary institution licensed pursuant to this Chapter, an "alternative massage centre" shall mean the portion of the premises identified pursuant to Section 508.2.14 & 508.2.15 during the class times specified thereon provided alternative massage is not provided or offered outside of the specified hours or location or provided to patrons for hire or gain.
Review the alternative massage centre regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our alternative massage centre licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
| New licence fee |
| $426 |
| Renewal fee |
| $151 |
Auctioneer
Definition: means any Person selling or putting up for sale goods, wares, merchandise, effects, or property by public Auction.
Review the auctioneer regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our auctioneer licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the auctioneer application form
| New licence fee |
| $102 |
| Renewal fee |
| $77 |
Beauty salon or barber shop
Definition: means an establishment where any of the following services are provided: hair cutting, hairstyling, barber services, beauty treatments for face, hands, or feet, and including but not limited to waxing, nail services, tanning, piercing, tattooing, cosmetic tattooing, hair extensions, micro-blading, eyelash extensions, and electrolysis.
Download the beauty salon or barber shop regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our beauty salon or barber shop licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the beauty salon or barber shop application form
| New licence fee |
| $220 |
| Renewal fee |
| $128 |
Buskers
Definition: means a Person, or a group of Persons operating together, who play, act, sing, or otherwise perform or entertain for reward or payment in or upon any highway or public place.
Download the buskers regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our buskers licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the buskers application form
| New licence fee |
| $56 |
| Renewal fee |
| $56 |
Commercial Kitchen
Definition: Commercial Kitchen means a shared-use, commissary, or incubator kitchen that are licensed spaces where chefs, bakers, caterers, and other culinary professionals can prepare their goods.
Definition: Commercial Kitchen Vendor means the business that rents or operates out of a commercial kitchen for the purpose of preparing their goods and may include chefs, bakers, caterers, and other culinary professionals.
Download the commercial kitchen regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our commercial kitchen application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the commercial kitchen application form
| Commercial kitchen: new licence fee |
| $316 |
| Commercial kitchen: renewal fee |
| $204 |
| Commercial kitchen vendor: new licence fee |
| $125 |
| Commercial kitchen vendor: renewal fee |
| $125 |
Contractors
Definition: means a Person engaged in the Business of altering, repairing, or renovating buildings or structures, and such Business may include, but is not limited to, cleaning homes or offices, installing fences, driveway paving, plumbing or drainage work, or installing, leasing, or renting portable signs, but does not include a building renovator whose principle Business is the construction of new buildings or structures and who is registered with the Tarion Warranty Corporation, or any electrician, master electrician, or electrical contractor.
Download the contractors regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our contractors licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the contractors application form
| New licence fee |
| $128 |
| Renewal fee |
| $77 |
Convenience store
Definition: means a Business that is open for long hours for the convenience of shoppers and stocks, sells, or offers for sale a range of everyday items, which may include items such as newspapers, magazines, soft drinks, confectionery, meat, and milk products.
Download the convenience store regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our convenience store licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the convenience store application form
| New licence fee |
| $219 |
| Renewal fee |
| $128 |
Driving school
Definition: means a Business that, for gain, teaches a Person or Persons to operate motor vehicles.
Download the driving school regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our driving school licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the driving school application form
| New licence fee |
| $138 |
| Renewal fee |
| $77 |
Farmers’ market
Definition for Stationary Farmers' Market: means a building or place where a group of persons who operate stalls or other food premises meet to sell or offer for sale consumer products that may include, but are not limited to, farm products, baked goods, and preserved foods, and shall include permanent and seasonal flea markets.
Definition for 'Pop-up' Farmers' Market: means a short-term operation where a group of persons who operate stalls sell or offer for sale farm products, baked goods, or preserved foods for one day a week at the same location for up to 30 days in a calendar year in total.
Definition for Farmers’ Market Vendor: means a person or group of persons who operate a stall at a farmers market or flea market.
Download the farmers’ market regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our auctioneer licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the farmers’ market application form
| Farmers' market: new licence fee |
| Stationary: $230
Pop-up: $128 |
| Farmers' market: renewal fee |
| Stationary: $179 |
| Farmers' market vendor: new licence fee |
| $75 |
| Farmers' market vendor: renewal fee |
| $75 |
Food shop
Definition: means a Business where food products intended for human consumption are made for sale, offered for sale, stored, or prepared, but does not include the selling of only bottled or canned beverages, meat in an airtight package, or pre-packaged candies other than those required to be frozen, and includes, but is not limited to, a bake shop, restaurant, or an establishment or kitchen used for the purpose of catering or preparation of food for catering.
This licence category includes restaurants, bakeries, grocery stores, coffee shops and more.
Download the food shop regulations
Apply for a licence
Download the application form, fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the food shop application form
| New licence fee |
| $316 |
| Renewal fee |
| $204 |
Food truck
Definition: means a motorized vehicle, other than a motorcycle or motor-assisted bicycle, from which food products are prepared, sold or offered for sale, but does not include a Refreshment Vehicle.
Download the food truck regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our food truck licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the food truck application form
| New licence fee |
| $230 |
| Renewal fee |
| $128 |
Laundrette or dry cleaner
Definition of Laundrette: means an establishment with automatic washing machines, dryers, or dry cleaning machines available for public use for a fee.
Definition of Dry Cleaner: means a Person engaged in the Business of or in the collection of clothing for the purpose of dry-cleaning, dry-dyeing, or cleaning, pressing, and spot or stain removal, or other similar applications to clothing or fabric.
Download the laundrette or dry cleaner regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our laundrette or dry cleaner licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the laundrette or dry cleaner application form
| New licence fee |
| $230 |
| Renewal fee |
| $128 |
Lodging house
Definition: means a dwelling or part thereof containing one or more lodging units which lodging units or units are designed to accommodate four or more residents in total. The residents may share common areas of the dwelling other than the lodging units, and do not appear to function as a household. This shall not include a hotel, motel, group home, nursing home, hospital, or any residential care facility licensed, approved, or supervised under any general or specific Act.
Download the lodging house regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our lodging house licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the lodging house application form
| New licence fee |
| $1,121 |
| Renewal fee |
| $910 |
Mobile business
Definition: means any Business that is operated from place to place offering or providing a product or service and that would be covered by one of the schedules of this By-law if the Business was operating in a building or fixed location, but shall not include any Person operating as a Contractor or Temporary Vendor.
Download the mobile business regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our mobile business licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the mobile business application form
| New licence fee |
| $230 |
| Renewal fee |
| $128 |
Motor vehicle facility
Definition: means a building or place where a Person engages in the Business of selling, offering for sale, or providing servicing or maintenance of a Motor Vehicle and shall include without limitation any new or used Motor Vehicle Dealership, Motor Vehicle Service Station, Motor Vehicle Service Shop or Specialty Shop, Motor Vehicle Repair Shop, supplier of new and used Motor Vehicle parts, Motor Vehicle inspection Centre, Motor Vehicle rental and leasing establishment, and Motor Vehicle Specialty and Service Shops.
Download the motor vehicle facility regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our motor vehicle facility licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the motor vehicle facility application form
| New licence fee |
| $230 |
| Renewal fee |
| $128 |
Nightclub
Definition: means an establishment or part thereof, having a principal function of the provision of pre-recorded or live music for dancing by patrons, where food and beverages may be served, and where the occupancy load is greater than 100 Persons.
Download the nightclub regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our nightclub licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the nightclub application form
| New licence fee |
| $296 |
| Renewal fee |
| $189 |
Old gold
Definition: means a business in which any Person purchases or deals in gold or any other precious metal which is not newly minted, including old jewelry or similar articles intended to be smelted or dismantled.
Download the old gold regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our old gold licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the old gold application form
| New licence fee |
| $138 |
| Renewal fee |
| $77 |
Payday loan establishment
Definition: means any premises or any part of them in respect of which a licensee within the meaning of the Payday Loans Act, 2008, S.O. 2008, c. 9 may operate a business pursuant to a licence issued under that Act.
Apply for a licence
Download our payday loan establishment licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the payday loan establishment application form
| New licence fee |
| $587 |
| Renewal fee |
| $383 |
Permanent vendor
Definition: means a Person who sells goods or services, at one specific location, either directly or by way of sample or catalogue for delivery later, intends to do so for 250 days in a calendar year, and is not regulated by a schedule other than the schedule respecting Permanent Vendors in this By-law.
Download the permanent vendor regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our permanent vendor licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the permanent vendor application form
| New licence fee |
| $128 |
| Renewal fee |
| No renewal required |
Pet care establishment
Definition: means a Business for the grooming, training, daycare of any pet, or the overnight boarding of Animals, and shall include any Boarding Kennel or Breeding Kennel but does not include veterinary practices or the City’s Animal Services Provider.
Download the pet care establishment regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our pet care establishment licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the pet care establishment application form
| New licence fee |
| $133 |
| Renewal fee |
| $77 |
Pet shop
Definition: means a Business that sells, has for sale, or keeps Animals including without limitation rodents, reptiles, fish, or amphibians.
Download the pet shop regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our pet shop licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the pet shop application form
| New licence fee |
| $133 |
| Renewal fee |
| $77 |
Place of amusement
Definition: means an arcade, axe throwing venue, billiard parlour, bowling alley, roller skating rink, ice skating rink, curling rink, miniature golf course, paintball arena, laser quest venue, pool hall, driving range, shooting gallery, dance hall, cabaret, adventure room, rock climbing facility, or any other Place of Amusement not specifically provided for herein.
Download the place of amusement regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our place of amusement licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the place of amusement application form
| New licence fee |
| $184 |
| Renewal fee |
| $138 |
Pop-up shop
Definition: means a Person or Business who sells goods or services, at one specific location, for no more than 250 days in a calendar year by way of testing a location or operates as a seasonal or short-term vendor, but does not include a Person or Business selling similar goods or service for more than 250 days at the same location in the previous calendar year.
Download the pop-up shop regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our pop-up shop licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the pop-up shop application form
| New licence fee |
| $128 |
| Renewal fee |
| Not applicable |
Public hall
Definition: means a building, including a portable building or tent with a seating capacity for over 100 persons that is offered for use or used as a place of public assembly, but does not include a theatre or a building, except a tent, used solely for religious purposes.
Download the public hall regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our public hall licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the public hall application form
| New licence fee |
| $316 |
| Renewal fee |
| $204 |
Refreshment vehicle
Definition: means any Person selling or putting up for sale goods, wares, merchandise, effects, or property by public Auction.
Download the refreshment vehicle regulations
Apply for a licence
Definition: means a Vehicle selling Refreshment but shall not include a Food truck. There are three (3) classes of Refreshment Vehicles. The classes are defined below:
Class A: means a Refreshment Vehicle that is a stationary vehicle and licensed to operate at one specific location.
Class B: means a Refreshment Vehicle propelled by muscular power, from which pre-bottled beverages, or confection goods including, but not limited to, fruit, candy, ice cream, and popcorn are sold for human consumption.
Class C: means a Refreshment Vehicle that is a motorized vehicle or a trailer that is hitched to a motorized vehicle that is moved from place to place and that offers for sale only pre-packaged foods, pre-bottled beverages, or ice confectioneries for human consumption, and may include food warming equipment.
Download the refreshment vehicle application form
| New licence fee |
|
Class A: $230 Class B: $168 Class C: $189 |
| Renewal fee |
|
Class A: $179 Class B: $128 Class C: $138 |
Special events
Definition: means a one-time or infrequent occurring event outside normal programs or activities such as any community, social, or cultural group celebration including a ceremony, street party, beer garden, festival, carnival, circus, midway, exhibition, or outdoor concert, but does not include a parade, wedding, funeral procession, picketing, trade show, or film event under permit.
Download the special events regulations
Apply for a licence
Download the special events application form, fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the special events application form
| New licence fee |
| $230 |
| Renewal fee |
| Not applicable |
Street vendor
Definition: means a stationary vehicle or vendor licensed to operate on property owned by the City in Victoria Park or at specific street intersections, and will include without limitation any hot dog cart, portrait artist, or popcorn and confection stand.
Download the street vendor regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our street vendor licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the street vendor application form
| New licence fee |
| $128 |
| Renewal fee |
| $128 |
Temporary vendor
Definition: means a person who offers goods, wares, or merchandise for sale in any manner in the City of Kitchener, other than on a permanent basis, and operates for no more than 3 days consecutively, for a maximum of 90 days per calendar year.
Download the temporary vendor regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our temporary vendor licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the temporary vendor application form
| New licence fee |
| $102 for every 3 days |
| Renewal fee |
| Not applicable |
Theatre
Definition: means a building in which moving pictures are shown for public entertainment and may include single screen or multiple screen Theatres.
Download the theatre regulations
Apply for a licence
Download our theatre licence application form. Fill it out and bring it to licensing services at City Hall.
Download the theatre application form
| New licence fee |
| $281 |
| Renewal fee |
| $189 |