This website uses cookies to improve how it works and to make your experience more personal. By using this website, you are agreeing to the cookie rules in our Privacy Policy.
Businesses operating in Waterloo may need a licence. Find out which type you need, what documents to include and how to apply online.
Fees vary by licence type. Processing takes up to 8 weeks.
On this page:
Businesses must follow city, provincial, and federal laws, including the Business Licensing Bylaw and fire and zoning rules.
These rules apply to all business licences:
Renew your business licence every year to keep it active.
We’ll email a reminder before it expires.
You can renew online. Late renewals will include a late fee.
Before you start your application, make sure you have:
Some business licences require a criminal record check issued within the past six months. Get one through your local police service or the online record check service.
A corporation profile report shows current public information about a corporation.
Get this report through one of these online services:
After you apply:
Select a licence type from the list to learn what you need to include with your application and how much a licence costs.
If you're not sure what licence fits your business, contact us at 519-747-8785 or bl@waterloo.ca.
Using animals to act or perform for people's entertainment.
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: $159.75
What you need to apply:
Any person selling, or putting up for sale, goods, wares, or merchandise by public auction.
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: $159.75
What you need to apply:
Providing beauty treatments for hair, face, hands, or feet. Includes services such as waxing, tanning, body and ear piercing, micro-pigmentation, electrolysis and tattooing. Does not include body rub parlours.
Initial fee: $196.27
Renewal fee: $170.03
What you need to apply:
A single detached home where guest rooms are rented for tourism purposes. Rentals cannot exceed 28 consecutive days. Does not include a hotel, motel, group home, lodging house or restaurant.
Initial fee:
Renewal fee:
For a Class “A” Licence:
For a Class “B” Licence:
If you provide services to maintain, alter, repair, renovate or construct buildings, structures or properties, you may need a contractor licence.
This includes, but is not limited to, contractors working in:
This licence does not apply to individuals who are:
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: $159.75
What you need to apply:
Operating donation box(es) used for the ongoing collection of clothing or other donated items from the public. A separate permit is required for each donation box location.
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: $159.75
What you need to apply:
Operating a business for dry cleaning, dry dyeing, cleaning, pressing, or stain removal or providing automatic washing machines for public use.
Initial fee: $196.27
Renewal fee: $170.03
What you need to apply:
Hosting an exhibition, circus, menagerie, or similar show that may include amusement equipment. If animals are used, an animals for entertainment licence may also be required.
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: not applicable
What you need to apply:
Distributing flyers in Waterloo through contract or by employing people to distribute them. Does not include registered charities, community organizations, or political advertisements.
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: $159.75
What you need to apply:
A place where food products are made, offered for sale, stored, or sold. Does not include a business that sells only bottled or canned beverages or pre-packaged candies, unless those items must be kept frozen.
Initial fee:
Renewal fee:
What you need to apply:
Contact fire prevention at 519-884-6030 x 23306 if you need additional information about fire safety plans.
A motorized or non-motorized vehicle where food products are sold. Includes food trucks, trailers, canteen trucks and food carts.
Initial fee:
Renewal fee:
What you need to apply:
Operating a business from within a home by a permanent resident of that home. Includes home offices where clients visit, products are stored or regular deliveries occur.
Initial fee: $196.27
Renewal fee: $170.03
What you need to apply:
Providing place-to-place products or services directly to customers at their homes using a vehicle or portable equipment. Includes cleaning services, but not contractors, food vehicles or temporary vendors.
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: $159.75
What you need to apply:
Includes new or used vehicle dealerships, service stations, repair shops, suppliers of new or used parts, vehicle inspection and appraisal services, vehicle rental or leasing, and specialty or service shops.
Initial Fee:
Renewal Fee:
What you need to apply:
Contact Fire Prevention at 519-884-6030 ext. 23306 for questions about fire safety plans.
Newspaper vending box operator
Operating newspaper boxes—any boxes, crates or machines located on City property where publications are circulated to the public. A separate permit is required for each location.
Initial fee: $154.22
Renewal fee: $154.22
What you need to apply:
A business that primarily provides commercial entertainment with an open floor area and limited seating. Main activities include dancing, listening to recorded or live music, and watching live performances. Food and beverages may be offered as a secondary use.
Initial fee: $357.17
Renewal fee: $170.03
What you need to apply:
Contact Fire Prevention at 519-884-6030 ext. 23306 for questions about fire safety plans.
Operating a business that provides pet care, grooming, or pet sales. This includes pet care centres, grooming salons and pet shops.
Initial fee: $196.27
Renewal fee: $170.03
What you need to apply:
Installing, leasing, or renting portable signs.
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: $159.75
What you need to apply:
Private property parking enforcement contractor and officer
There are 2 licence types for parking enforcement on private property:
Initial fee:
Renewal fee:
What you need to apply:
A building, part of a building, portable structure, or tent with a seating capacity of more than 100 people. This does not include a theatre licensed under the Film Classification Act, 2005.
Initial fee: $357.17
Renewal fee: $168.88
What you need to apply:
Contact Fire Prevention at 519-884-6030 ext. 23306 if you have questions about fire safety plans.
Operating a retail store or providing a service to the public such as clothing sales, personal fitness, tax services, payday loans, tutoring or similar businesses. This licence is not required if another specific business licence applies. This licence is only required once, and there is no expiry.
Initial fee: $196.27
Renewal fee: not applicable
What you need to apply:
S.O.L.E.R – temporary patio licence
A patio using off-street parking areas, designated open spaces, or city property for commercial purposes for a limited time period.
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: $159.75
What you need to apply:
Temporary sales events offering goods that are not part of a business’s regular inventory. This includes liquidation, bankruptcy or other special sales.
Initial fee: $196.27
Renewal fee: not applicable
What you need to apply:
Selling or offering goods or services for a short period (less than 90 days).
Initial fee:
Renewal fee:
What you need to apply:
A market with multiple short-term vendors, typically small or independent sellers operating in a shared space. Includes farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and pop-up shops.
Initial fee: $159.75
Renewal fee: not applicable
What you need to apply:
Contact us with questions:
