Marketing Display Permit

Marketing displays are used to display and sell goods, food or merchandise outside a commercial or industrial premise on a city owned property or sidewalk. Goods in the display must be similar to those that are sold in the adjacent business.

Sidewalk Marketing Display
Sidewalk Marketing Display

Sidewalk marketing displays are used to display and sell goods, food or merchandise outside a commercial or industrial premise. Goods in the display must be similar to those that are sold in the adjacent business.

 

Individuals, partnerships or corporations

Review the regulations in the new bylaw for marketing displays.

Download the application guide to review the requirements for your permit

Identification Requirements

One piece of valid government issued identification is required for an officer or signing authority (for corporations), who appears on the Primary Business Licence.

Original documents required for all applications.

Two pieces of government-issued identification (one must be photo ID):

  • Canadian passport
  • Driver’s licence
  • Canadian birth certificate
  • Citizenship card
  • Permanent resident card
  • SIN card (social insurance number)
  • Valid work permit

Note:

  • First and last names must match on all identification
  • We do not accept Health Cards.
  • Identification is required for all officers/directors listed on the Articles of Incorporation, Corporate Profile or Federal Form 6

Permit Requirements

All applicants must also provide the following:

  • a business location/address
  • a copy of provincial business name registration or signed franchise agreement

Corporations must also provide:

  • a copy of Articles of Incorporation (Note: If there has been a change to the list of officers and directors, please also provide a current Corporate Profile Report or a Federal Form 6)

If a director of the corporation is unable to apply in person at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, a designate may apply on their behalf. The designate must:

  • have an original letter advising of their signing authority on corporation letterhead, signed by a director of the corporation dated within 30 days
  • provide two pieces of identification for themselves
  • provide two pieces of identification for each officer and director of the corporation, or, if original identification is not available, notarized photocopies of the identification will also be accepted

Site Plan of Proposed Marketing Display

All applications must include:

  • Two copies of a detailed and scaled drawn site plan showing all dimensions of the proposed marketing display.
  • Measured distances between the proposed marketing display and the location of the street and face of the curb. Side property lines, fire hydrants, trees, and other permanent objects (i.e. hydro poles, tree pits, litter bins, etc.) on the street must be included.

Note:

  • All measurements must be in metric

Awning Document

Submit the following with your application if the proposed marketing display will have an awning:

  • Certificate of Fireproof rating
  • Mechanical specifications of the awning
  • The awning checklist included in the application package.

Description of Merchandise

A description of merchandise to be displayed.

Photos

All applications must include:

  • Three photos of the marketing display, one from the front and one from each side.
  • Photo(s) of awning(s)

Certificate of Insurance

Proof of at least $2,000,000 of comprehensive insurance against loss or damage resulting from bodily injury to or death of one or more persons, or from loss of or damage to property resulting from any one accident.
The completed Certificate of Insurance must be signed and stamped by the insurer. The Certificate must be sent by email to MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca directly from the Insurance Representative.

You can now apply for new permits online or in-person.

1. Apply online

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.

Submit Application

If you have already submitted an application you may upload additional documents using your upload token.

Upload Documents for Existing Request

2. Apply in-person

You must book an appointment at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

Book Appointment

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.

You must bring a complete application as applications will not be accepted unless all the required documents are provided. Bring hard copies of all required documents and forms, including a recent photo if required. Digital copies of documents will not be accepted.

Payment can only be made by debit, credit or cheque. Cash will not be accepted.

Fee Zones

There are two permit fee zones:

  • Central Zone: the downtown area as defined in this map. The boundaries are Bathurst Street to the west, the Dupont rail corridor to the north, Rosedale Valley to the north-east and Don River to the east.
  • Outer Zone: the remaining area outside of the central zone.

Permit Fees

Fee Zone Marketing Display ($/m2)
Central Zone $70.49
Outer Zone $43.08

Application Fees

  • Marketing display application fee is $864.45.
  • Permit transfer fee: $764.19
  • There are no application or permit fees for small marketing displays, which are no more than 0.8m x 5.5m.

Applications take six to eight weeks to process. Staff will contact you via email or hard copy letter with instructions once your application has been approved.

Your permit will expire annually on the anniversary of the date that the permit was first issued. A renewal notice, identifying any documents required to renew the permit, will be mailed to the address on file.

The renewal fee will be calculated based on a variety of factors, including where your marketing display will be located.

Existing permit holders must renew their permits via a new online renewal portal. Permit renewal fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.

Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the renewal, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide on how to renew a licence or permit.

Renew Licence

You must continue to provide proof of $2,000,000 in Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. The completed Certificate of Insurance must be signed and stamped by the insurer. The Certificate must be sent by email to MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca directly from the Insurance Representative.

Permits set to expire in 2021 will be cancelled for non-payment after 150 days and will not be subject to late fees. Find your outstanding business licence or permit renewal invoice.

If you fail to renew your permit according to the bylaw, your permit will be cancelled and you will have to reapply.

Renewal Forms: