The City of Port Colborne requires municipal business licences for the following businesses:

Bed and Breakfast Establishments

All Bed and Breakfast Establishments in City of Port Colborne must be licensed annually in accordance with By-law No. 7323/14/25 (Amending By-law No. 4323/159/02).

Online Application Form Now Available

To submit your Bed and Breakfast Establishment business licence application, complete our online form or scan the QR Code.

Please allow 2 weeks for processing. 

Inspections

Once you have submitted your application, you must arrange the following inspections with:

Port Colborne Fire Department: 

Niagara Region Public Health Department:

  • By Phone: 905-688-8248 ext. 7590 or
  • Email: inspect@niagararegion.ca 

Garages

All garages in the City of Port Colborne must be licensed annually in accordance with By-law No. 4322/158/02. If you own any of the following, you must apply for a Garage Business Licence from the City of Port Colborne.

  • Motor vehicle repair shop, including a building or place where motor vehicles may be oiled, greased or washed, have their ignition adjusted, tires inflated or batteries charged, or where only minor or running repairs essential to the actual operation of motor vehicles are executed or performed
  • Parking station, parking lot/building, or place where motor vehicles are hired or kept or used for hire
  • Place where vehicles are stored or kept for sale
  • Used/unfit motor vehicles on property (Bylaw Section 22 re: Uncertified vehicles; parts)
  • Motor vehicle inspection station (MVIS)

Please Note: A garage licence is not required for businesses that only sell gasoline.

Online Application Form Now Available

To submit your Garage business licence application, complete our online form or scan the QR Code.

 

Hawkers and Peddlers (including food trucks and vending carts)

All hawkers and peddlers in the City of Port Colborne must be licensed annually in accordance with By-Law By-law No. 4324/160/02. 

This includes every person who goes from place to place (roving) or to one particular place (stationary) within the City of Port Colborne with any type of merchandise for sale or who carries and exposes samples of any goods that are to be delivered in the City afterwards. 

Online Application Form Now Available

To submit your Hawkers and Peddlers business licence application, complete our online form or scan the QR Code.

  

 Please allow 2 weeks for processing. 

 TIP: Apply before April 17, 2025 to be in operation by May 1, 2025

 TIP: Apply before May 2, 2025 to be in operation by Victoria Day weekend (May 17-19, 2025)

Inspections

Once you have submitted your application, you must arrange the following inspections with:

Port Colborne Fire Department: 

Niagara Region Public Health Department:

  • By Phone: 905-688-8248 ext. 7590 or
  • Email: inspect@niagararegion.ca

Kennels

Kennels housing 3 or more dogs in the City of Port Colborne must be licensed annually in accordance with By-law No. 4930/155/06. 

Online Application Form Now Available

To submit your Kennel application, complete our online form or scan the QR Code.

  

Once your application has been submitted, the SPCA will contact you to schedule an inspection.

Lodging Houses

All Lodging Houses in City of Port Colborne must be licensed annually in accordance with By-law No. 7322/13/25.

Online Application Form Now Available

To submit your Lodging House business licence application, complete our online form or scan the QR Code.

 

Please allow 2 weeks for processing. 

Inspections

Once you have submitted your application, you must arrange the following inspections with:

Port Colborne Fire Department: 

Niagara Region Public Health Department:

  • By Phone: 905-688-8248 ext. 7590 or
  • Email: inspect@niagararegion.ca 

Trailer Camps

All trailer camps in the City of Port Colborne must be licensed annually in accordance with By-law No. 4321/157/02.

Online Application Form Now Available

To submit your Trailer Camp business licence application, complete our online form or scan the QR Code.

 

Note: The City's business licensing by-laws are currently under review. The City will continue to license businesses according to the existing by-laws.

The Niagara Region licenses various types of businesses. Visit Niagara Region Business Licensing for more information.

Sign permits

Are you thinking of installing a new sign for your business? If so, visit our sign permit page for more information.

Building permits

Do you require a building permit? If so, visit our building permit page for more information.

Starting a Business?

To find more information on starting a business, visit the City's Starting a Business page for a guide to business regulations, licences and other considerations.

Starting a Home Based Business?

If you are inquiring about a home business, please call our Planning Department for more information.