Business Licence

Application Form

Municipal Code 564 - Click here to read by-law

Application Fee - $150.00

General Information

Things to Consider Prior to Applying for a Business Licence

Store Front Businesses

It is suggested prior to signing a lease or purchasing a property to contact the Woodstock Building Department, as the following items may affect the business licensing process.

1. Previous tenant - in some cases a Change of Use Permit may be required.
2. Building Permits - ensure there are no outstanding permits and any previous permits have been satisfactorily completed and signed off by a Building Inspector.
3. Zoning  - ensure the location is zoned for the nature of the proposed business.
4. If renovations are planned for the site talk to the Building Department regarding possible Building Permits that might be required.

Home Occupations

It is advised to check with the Woodstock Building Department prior to submitting the application, as the items listed below may affect your home occupation licensing.

1. Zoning restrictions,
2. Square footage restrictions,
3. Parking restrictions, and/or
4. If renovations are being considered, check with the Building Department to see if Building Permits are required.

If you have questions related to information provided above contact the Building Department by emailing building@cityofwoodstock.ca or by phoning 519-539-2382 ext. 3106 or 3103 during business hours.

Business Information

Please provide the documents requested below.

If you have questions regarding an item with "if required" please contact the Clerk's Department at clerksinfo@cityofwoodstock.ca or by phoning 519-539-1291 during business hours.

The licensing process will be affected if these documents are not received in a timely manner.

Anyone applying for a food or personal service licence (hairdresser/barber, tattoo, esthetics etc.) please visit Southwestern Public Health website www.swpublichealth.ca.

The button on the home page "Opening a Business" will provide additional information required prior to requesting an inspection.

Please keep in mind

Licensing does not turn around in 24 hours, so when determining the start date for the business be mindful the Clerk's Department will not sign off on a business licence unless the following has been received:

1. All required departmental approvals which can take 14-21 business days. If there are any outstanding items required by a department the licensing may be delayed.
2. All required documentation has been received.

Licensing fee non-refundable

Prior to submitting your application, please check with the Woodstock Building Department or the Clerk's Department regarding your application to avoid the licence being denied.

The Licensee understands that:

1. That no person shall carry on, conduct, operate, maintain or keep a business without a licence;
2. No licence shall be issued where the use is not permitted under the provisions of the City's Zoning By-law or if the operation of the business does not conform within the applicable standards and requirements of:
   1. Every by-law of the City
   2. Every provisions or federal Act, and any regulation made under such Act; and
   3. Every instrument of a legislative nature made or issued under a provincial or federal Act or regulation, including standards and require
3. There shall be a separate application for each premise to be used or person to be licensed.

I hereby certify that I have read and understand the information contained in this application. I further certify that the information contained in this application is true and further agree that I will abide by all of the provisions of the City of Woodstock Municipal Code 564 and amendments thereto and any other applicable municipal, provincial or federal regulations that may apply to the operation of a Business Licence. The licensing fee has been submitted with this application.

I understand that the payment of the licensing fee does not guarantee the obtaining of a licence. Issuance of a licence does not constitute consent by the City of Woodstock for the licensee to contravene, fail to observe or comply with any law of Canada or Ontario or any Chapter of this Code or by-law of the City.

Applications must be submitted a minimum of 14-21 business days prior to the proposed start/opening date and will be delayed if all requested information and documentation is not received to the Clerks Department in a timely manner.

Issuance of this licence maybe subject to the following department approvals:

Chief Building Official                     Fire Department                     Police Department

City Clerk                                          Southwestern Public Health

Notice of Collection

Personal information contained on this form is collected by the Corporation of Woodstock under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used by the City in making decisions on this Business Licence. Questions about the collection of this information may be made to the Manager of Corporate Services, 500 Dundas Street, P.O. Box 1539, Woodstock, Ontario, N4S 0A7, or by telephoning 519-539-2382 ext. 2504, during business hours.