Business License Review
Overview
All businesses operating in the Town of Wasaga Beach must have a current business license to legally operate. Business licenses are issued and enforced through the Municipal Law Enforcement Office. The Town is launching a public consultation to better understand existing needs, challenges, and opportunities relating to business licensing in the municipality. A summary of the results will be provided to Council for consideration and will help determine the future of business licensing in Wasaga Beach.
Staff is hoping to gather feedback from all members of the community to help us inform the public and understand how we can best serve our local businesses. Please share your thoughts by taking our survey below. The survey will be open until February 12th at 4:30 pm.
Consultation Information
Who Needs A Business License?
The Town of Wasaga Beach licenses all businesses operating within the Town that are otherwise not provincially or federally regulated. (i.e. Doctors, Lawyers, Mechanics, etc.) This includes home occupations, contracting companies, food & beverage premises, retail businesses, transportation companies, and personal service establishments.
Why Do We License Businesses?
Business licensing benefits local communities by ensuring new and existing businesses comply with current by-laws. Businesses are held accountable for the maintenance of their properties, which provides protection for consumers and residents.
Application Requirements
All businesses applying for a license must complete the Business License application available on the Town website and should provide the following documentation:
- Copy of valid photo ID
- Copy of master business license/articles of incorporation
- Proof of ownership for the property from which they are conducting their business
- Copy of valid business insurance with a general liability coverage not less than $2 million
Licensing Process
Once the business license application is submitted, the following processes take place:
- Application is circulated to the Zoning Department for approval
- Application is circulated to the Building Department to ensure that the property has no outstanding building permits
- Where required, a fire safety and property standards inspection is booked for businesses that have consumers enter the place of business
- Where required, a health inspection is booked with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
- License is issued and mailed
Property Standards - What Is Property Standards and What Does It Apply To?
The Property Standards By-law sets minimum standards to ensure that property owners maintain their properties. These standards are put in place to protect the health and safety of occupants/ tenants as well as the general public. Property Standards address the physical building and the land surrounding the property. All buildings, houses, and properties within the Town of Wasaga Beach are held to the requirements of the Property Standards By-law whether they be private or commercial, urban or rural.
If you require any of this information in an accessible format, please contact Danielle Dent at wbbl@wasagabeach.com
