Do I need a business licence or permit? What does it cost?
In the City of Kitchener, Ontario, business licences & permits rules are set by Chapter 599 - Licensing and Regulation of Businesses (City of Kitchener Municipal Code), verified 2026-10-26. A licence is required. Fee: pre-determined fee approved by Council through the User Fee Schedule. Who must license: Businesses set out in Schedule 1, including auctioneer, beauty salon, buskers, contractor, food shop, food truck, etc.
Chapter 599 - Licensing and Regulation of Businesses (City of Kitchener Municipal Code)
adopted bylaw
licence required
yes
s. 599.3.1(a)
who must license
Businesses set out in Schedule 1, including auctioneer, beauty salon, buskers, contractor, food shop, food truck, etc.
Schedule 1; s. 599.3.1(a)
fee
pre-determined fee approved by Council through the User Fee Schedule
s. 599.1.7
renewal
expire annually on the 31st day of March, except where stated otherwise in Schedule 1; Schedule 1 variants: Permanent Vendor No Expiry; Pop-up Shop Per Event; Special Events Per Event; Temporary Vendor Per Event
s. 599.6.1; Schedule 1
scout note
Kitchener's general business licensing by-law (Municipal Code ch. 599); the City says it sets requirements for each business category. Licences expire March 31; fees in ch. 501. Laserfiche viewer link, text not extractable.
Business licences (City of Kitchener)
Lists businesses needing a licence (food truck, refreshment vehicle, street vendor, pet shop, payday loan, etc.), general conditions: non-prorated, non-refundable, non-transferable, expire March 31.
Bylaws and Municipal Code index (Kitchener) - section 9 Licence chapters