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. Marketing displays are regulated by the Sidewalk Cafés, Parklets and Marketing Displays bylaw.
A Marketing Display
Sole proprietorships (individuals), partnerships or corporations.
Prior to submitting an application, please review the Marketing Display Bylaw Guide, which includes details on the bylaw requirements for marketing displays.
One piece of valid government issued identification is required for an officer or signing authority (for corporations), who appears on the Primary Business Licence.
If the business does not have a Primary Business Licence, then two pieces of government-issued identification (ID) are required. One of these must be photo ID. The following IDs are accepted:
Note:
All applicants must also provide the following:
Corporations must also provide:
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:
All applications must include:
Note:
Submit the following with your application if the proposed marketing display will have an awning:
If you are requesting the use of Lighting within the Marketing Display area (frontage at the building wall only), please submit a declaration with your application.
Once approved, this is added as an Endorsement to the Marketing Display permit.
A description of merchandise to be displayed.
All applications must include:
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 directly from the Insurance Representative and can be submitted either via email to MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca or online.
Applications need to be submitted online. You cannot apply for this licence/permit 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 you may upload additional documents using your upload token.
The permit fee is $38.88 + HST per square metre.
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.
Conditions that are attached to permits issued before September 1, 2019 will continue to apply. Permit holders must also comply with the following requirements.
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.
Existing permit holders must renew their permits via a new online renewal portal.
Download a step by step guide on how to renew a licence or permit.
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 directly from the Insurance Representative and can be submitted either via email to MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca or online.
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.
Small marketing displays do not need permits. There are no associated fees with these small marketing displays, however they must confirm to the following conditions: