Business licences
Hamilton business licence
Whether your Hamilton business needs a city licence, and what else you need from the province and CRA.
Does every Hamilton business need a licence?
No. Ontario municipalities license specific business categories, not every business. Hamilton's Licensing and By-law Services issues business licences for regulated categories. Check the city's own list for your business type before you open.
Categories cities commonly license
- Food service, restaurants and food trucks
- Taxis, rideshare, tow trucks and driving schools
- Personal services: hair, nails, tattoo, body art
- Contractors and renovators (in some cities)
- Entertainment venues, short-term rentals, pet shops
Lists vary by city. Only the city's own by-law is authoritative.
What the city licence does not cover
- Registering your business name: Ontario registration
- Your CRA business number and HST: business number guide
- Provincial licences for regulated trades: Ontario licences
- Zoning and building permits, usually from the same city's planning department.