Since 2015, the City has regularly reviewed its rules for businesses and trades outlined in the Licensing Bylaw. The bylaw regulates more than 60 types of businesses and trades in Toronto, for example driving school operators, driving instructors, temporary sign providers, plumbers and transient traders.

The City continues to update the Licensing Bylaw, the business licence administration process, the approach to bylaw enforcement, as well as technologies that enable online and in-person business licence applications and renewals.

Stay informed regarding the City’s ongoing work to update the Licensing Bylaw and the business licence and permit application process.

Email LicensingReview@toronto.ca to share your comments or questions.

The City is examining ways to modernize its licensing rules to meet today’s business environment, including considering whether to stop licensing certain business types and trades (including those who already require a business or trade licence from the Province or another regulatory body).

City staff will report to City Council in 2025 with a Business Licence and Permit Applications Action Plan, including recommendations and rationale for which businesses/trades City Council should consider removing from the Licensing Bylaw.

The Action Plan will also consider how to:

  • Modernize licensing requirements and processes to better meet and adapt to evolving and emerging business models.
  • Reduce red tape and regulatory burden for Torontonians, while ensuring consumer protection and health and safety objectives are met.
  • Support City priorities of Reconciliation, confronting anti-Black racism, equity, customer service excellence and environmental sustainability.
  • Move towards an activity-based licensing model, where business or trade licence holders may be required to comply with either increased or reduced City regulations based on activities or services provided.

The City is examining ways to modernize its licensing rules to meet today’s business environment, including considering whether to stop licensing certain business types and trades (including those who already require a business or trade licence from the Province or another regulatory body).

Staff are looking for feedback from current licence holders of 21 specific licence categories.

If you hold at least one of the following licences, please share your perspectives on the bylaw review issue by completing a short survey. The survey closes on February 14, 2025.

  1. B12 Driving School Operator
  2. B37 Temporary Sign Provider
  3. B40 Boats for Hire
  4. D11 Driving Instructor
  5. D16 School Bus Driver
  6. T27 Transient Trader
  7. T37 Insulation Installer
  8. T81 Building Cleaner
  9. T85 Building Renovator
  10. T86 Chimney Repairman
  11. T87 Drain Contractor
  12. T88 Drain Layer
  13. T91 Heating Contractor
  14. T92 Plumbing & Heating Contractor
  15. T93 Driveway Paving Contractor
  16. T94 Plumbing Contractor
  17. T95 Master Plumber
  18. T96 Master Heating Installer
  19. V11 Driving Instructor
  20. V12 Driving School Operator
  21. V25 Collector for Second Hand Goods

Your participation is voluntary and anonymous. Choosing to participate (or not) will not impact your City licence in any way.

Survey results will be used by staff alongside other sources of information to create a final list of licence types for recommended removal from the Licensing Bylaw.

If City Council chooses to deregulate any of the proposed licence types, you may continue to run your business and/or practice your trade in Toronto. However, you may no longer be required to hold a City business licence.

To enhance the customer experience, the City implemented various changes to the Licensing By-law and its business licence and permit applications process including but not limited to:

  • Implementing a multi-year and multi-phased $15 million licensing technology modernization project to make the in-person and online business licence application process smoother for Torontonians. This will include launching in 2025 the City’s revamped Licence and Permit Online Application portal.
  • Removing obsolete definitions and licence types from the Licensing Bylaw, such as owners and drivers of horse-drawn vehicles.
  • Removing burdensome regulations for eating and drinking establishments.
  • Adopting an activity-based licensing model for bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Through the Province of Ontario’s City of Toronto Act, 2006, the City has the authority to adopt and enforce licensing and permitting requirements for businesses, trades, and occupations. The regulations aim to enhance the economic, social, and environmental well-being of the city, support health and safety, protect consumers and mitigate community nuisance.

Examples of rules in the Licensing Bylaw include but are not limited to paying licence application and renewal fees, following safety and health requirements and setting up businesses only in permitted areas of the city.

The bylaw is an amalgamation of the former boroughs’ respective licensing bylaws. Over the years, updates have been made to the document and the City periodically reviews the bylaw to modernize regulations and add in any missing information.

Stay Informed

Type (don’t copy and paste) your email into the box below and then click “Subscribe”. You will receive an email with instructions to confirm your request.

 
Subscribe to receive electronic updates and information on the Licensing Bylaw Review, Ch. 545. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Municipal Licensing and Standards collects your personal email address under the legal authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, section 8, and Toronto City Council Item 2023.EC8.13, as confirmed by the City of Toronto By-law 1332-2023. The information will be used to confirm and administer a subscription to electronic notifications regarding Licensing Bylaw Reviews. Questions about this collection can be directed to Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Policy and Strategic Support, Municipal Licensing and Standards, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, 16th Floor West, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N2, or by telephone at 416-395-7159.