A Building Renovator licence is required for all businesses that provides services to repair or renovate buildings and structures, including any business that advertises renovation services.
Sole proprietorships (individuals), partnerships or corporations.
Applicants, partners, officers, directors and shareholders must be at least 18 years old.
Applications must include two pieces of identification, one must be photo ID:
Note:
If you are taking over an existing business that has a valid business licence or a licence that has expired less than three years prior to the time of new application (for the same licence category), you must submit an Occupancy Declaration Form.
If you are applying as a corporation, you must submit:
If you are applying as a designate for a corporation, submit all corporation requirements as well as an original letter advising of signing authority on corporation letterhead, signed by a director of the corporation and dated within 30 days.
You can apply for new business licences online or in-person.
Save yourself time and apply online. Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the application, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide on how to submit a new application. Licence application fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.
If you have already submitted an application and a representative has contacted you about uploading additional documents, you may do so using the upload token provided to you by the representative. Please note, you cannot upload additional documents using this tool if you do not have an upload token.
Upload Documents for Existing Request
In-person services are available at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor.
You must bring hard copies of all application requirements. Applications will not be started unless all requirements are provided. Digital copies of documents will not be accepted.
Payment can only be made by debit, credit or cheque. Cash will not be accepted.
Walk-in services are available for new applications Monday – Wednesday starting at 8:30AM subject to capacity. The office is closed from 12:30PM – 1:30PM daily.
Appointment services are available on Fridays only.
Please arrive 10-15 mins early to check in and be on time for your appointment or you may be turned away and asked to re-book for another day and time, subject to availability.
Application fee: $225.60 (inclusive of GST)
Licence fee: $250.48 (inclusive of GST)
Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $476.08
Building Renovator Trade Examination fee: $73.64 (inclusive of GST)
To obtain a Building Renovator licence, applicants must successfully complete a Trade Examination. The examination is to ensure applicants have knowledge of their trade and standards within the industry.
The examinations are oral and in English, however you may bring an interpreter to assist you. The examination takes around 30 minutes and covers sections on business acumen, bylaw knowledge and technical knowledge.
An examination application form will be completed and exam slot will be booked at time of application.
This examination is currently offered online.
The fee for taking this examination is $73.64 (inclusive of GST)
Zoning approval is required for the majority of new business licence applications. When zoning approval is required, City staff will initiate the approval process after the application is received.
Zoning approval is not required if an applicant is taking over an existing business that has a valid business licence or had a valid business licence that expired less than three years prior to the time of new application (for the same licence category). When zoning approval is not required, you must complete and sign the Occupancy Declaration Form.
ML&S shall deny an application for, or a renewal, for all businesses required to be licenced under this chapter that has:
Despite these screening criteria, if a licence has been previously issued or renewed and the applicant’s or licensee’s record discloses no new breach of the screening criteria, the licence may be issued or renewed without the matter being referred to the Toronto Licensing Tribunal.
These screening criteria do not apply to any offence for which a licensee or applicant has been granted a criminal record suspension (i.e. a pardon) by the Parole Board of Canada.
Your licence will expire annually on the anniversary of the date that the licence was first issued. The expiry date is written on your licence for your reference.
A courtesy notice will be mailed to your mailing address on file identifying any documents required to renew the licence. As a licensee you are responsible for ensuring that your business licence is valid while operating. If you have not received your renewal notice and your licence is about to expire, please contact us at mlsbusinesslicence@toronto.ca for additional information.
The renewal fee is $281.87
Find your outstanding business licence or permit renewal invoice.
Existing licensees must renew their licences online or in-person. Licence renewal fees can be made in-person, paid online or by sending a cheque.
If you fail to renew your licence according to the bylaw, your licence will be cancelled and you will have to reapply.
Walk-in renewal services are available Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor starting at 8:30AM subject to capacity. The office is closed from 12:30PM – 1:30PM daily.