The City of Port Colborne requires municipal business licences for trailer parks, public garages, lodging houses, hawkers and peddlers, refreshment vehicles and kennels. If you operate a second-hand goods business, salvage yard or transportation business, you need a licence from Niagara Region.
- Note: The current business licencing by-laws are under review.
City of Port Colborne |
The City of Port Colborne's Clerks Division issues licences for different business types, including the following:
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Niagara Region Public Health |
The Niagara Region Public Health department inspects different business types and home occupations, including the following:
If you are unsure if your business will require an inspection, please contact Niagara Region Public Health. |
Niagara Regional Police Services |
NOTE: Niagara Regional Police Service Licencing and Bylaw Enforcement Unit is no longer operational.
All business licencing, inspection and enforcement services have been transferred to the Niagara Region.
The Niagara Region issues licenses for different business types and occupations, including the following:
If you are unsure your business will require a license, please contact the Niagara Region. |
Starting a business?
Starting a home business | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If you are inquiring about a home business, please call our Planning Department for more information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Steps to starting a business | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Please visit the City's Starting a Business page for a guide to business regulations, licenses and other considerations |
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Small business enterprise centre business contacts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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How to apply
You can email or drop off your completed application to the Licensing Clerk at City Hall located at 66 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne ON, L3K 3C8.
Please submit your application at least 2 weeks before your proposed start date to allow enough time for processing and review.
Trailer camps |
If you have a trailer park within the City of Port Colborne, you need to apply for a licence to operate. You must also contact Niagara Region Public Health and the Port Colborne Fire Department to arrange an inspection. |
Lodging houses |
If you own a Lodging House within the City of Port Colborne, you need to apply for a licence to operate. You must also contact Niagara Region Public Health at and the Port Colborne Fire Department to arrange an inspection. |
Garages |
If you own any of the following, you need to apply for a Garage licence from the City of Port Colborne.
Gasoline salesA garage licence is not required for businesses that only sell gas. |
Hawkers, peddlers and refreshment vehicles |
If you are hawker or peddler, refreshment vehicle, or chip stand/vending cart, you must apply for a licence to operate in the City of Port Colborne. In the application, you will find a summary of requirements for operating your business. |
Kennels |
If you operate a Kennel within the City of Port Colborne, you are required to have a kennel licence.
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Complete applications
Once the complete application and fee(s) are received, your application will be circulated to the following departments, if necessary for approval:
- Building Division
- By-law Enforcement Division
- Fire and Emergency Services
- Planning Department
- Niagara Regional Public Health
- Niagara Regional Police
BizPaL
Visit BizPaL if you have questions about other types of non-municipal permits your business may need.
BizPaL is an online service with information from federal and provincial governments. It will help you to figure out what permits, licences and other requirements you need to start your business.
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.