Information Regarding BIA Polls

Find information regarding public consultations on new Business Improvement Areas (BIA).

Registry Services mails a BIA Poll Notice to each business property owner in the proposed BIA area.

A business property owner must give a copy to each commercial and industrial tenant of the property within 30 days of receipt.

These documents are posted to the City’s website:

  • BIA Poll Notice giving information on the proposal and how to submit a ballot
  • The Declaration and Ballot for the poll
  • A Proof of Ownership or Tenancy form
  • Map of the proposed BIA area

Poll results are available within 15 business days of the last day of polling.

You can take part in a BIA poll if, in the proposed BIA area, you are:

  • A business property owner
  • A commercial tenant
  • An industrial tenant

You can only submit one ballot even if you own more than one property or business in the area

If you are eligible to take part in a BIA poll, you can:

  • Complete a BIA Declaration and provide proof of ownership or tenancy, if you are a:
    • Property owner who purchased the property within the last 12 months
    • Commercial tenant
    • Industrial tenant
  • Submit the documents by the deadline indicated on the Notice to:
    • Email: registryservices@toronto.ca
    • Fax: 416-392-1260
    • Mail: Registry Services, City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., Rotunda, Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

A by-law to establish, expand or repeal a BIA will not be passed if:

  • The number of accepted ballots submitted fails to exceed the lesser of a minimum of 30 per cent of the number of notices mailed, or 100 ballots

Or

  • 50 per cent or more of the accepted ballots respond in the negative.