Business licences & permits — Smiths Falls, Ontario
Do I need a business licence or permit? What does it cost?
In the Town of Smiths Falls, Ontario, business licences & permits rules are set by By-law No. 7739-03 Taxi By-law (office consolidation, amended through 10419-2023) and 2 other bylaws, verified 2026-10-19. A licence is required. Who must license: Brokers, owners and drivers of taxi cabs. Renewal: annual; expires on the thirty-first day of December next after the date of issue.
Taxi cab Driver (incl Disc and card) $70.00; Background Check (incl in initial $70.00) $35.00 (HST included); Taxi cab Owner $100.00 per vehicle; Taxi cab Broker $200.00; Change of Stand by Driver $30.00; Change of Vehicle $25.00; Change of Insurance Information $25.00
Schedule "A"
renewal
annual; expires on the thirty-first day of December next after the date of issue
s. 12(A); s. 18
scout note
Licenses, regulates and governs taxi cab brokers, owners and drivers in Smiths Falls; licences expire 31 December annually.
By-law No. 8168-2008 A By-law to License, Regulate and Govern Certain Businesses (office consolidation, amended 2011)
adopted bylaw
licence required
yes
s. 4.1
who must license
Auctioneers; retail goods, services and amusement; salespersons, hawkers and peddlers/temporary sales; second hand goods/pawn shops; home occupations.
s. 2.1
fee
Auctioneer: $100.00 annual; daily auction event/sale $25.00. Retail Goods, Services and Amusement: No Fee. Temporary Sales: No Fee. Salesperson, Hawkers and Peddlers: $500.00 annual; specific location daily licence $50.00 for the day specified or consecutive days specified (maximum 4 days); charitable organization $50.00 for the year in which it is issued or any part thereof. Second Hand Goods/Pawn Shops: No Fee. Home Occupations: No Fee. No fee for an existing business licence holder for a special sale or temporary sale permit.
Schedule A-1; Schedule A-2; Schedule A-3 (Temporary Sales); Schedule A-3 (Salesperson, Hawkers and Peddlers); Schedule A-4; Schedule A-5; s. 3.4
scout note
General business licensing by-law of the Town of Smiths Falls (Municipal Act). Licence classes, applications, criminal record checks every three years (amended by 8398-2011, passed 2011-03-21), licence terms and fees.
Operators of Refreshment Vehicles require a separate licence for each refreshment vehicle.
s. 2(a)
fee
Annual licence fees per Schedule "A": Refreshment Vehicle (Motorized) $600.00/vehicle; Refreshment Vehicle (if owner/applicant pays business tax to Town used in connection) Annual Fee of $50.00/Vehicle; Refreshment Vehicle (Non-Motorized) $150.00/Vehicle; Refreshment Vehicle-Non-Motorized (if owner/applicant pays business tax to Town used in connection) Annual Fee of $50.00/Vehicle; Chip Wagon Structure Modification $50.00/request; Charitable BBQ's No Fee; Multi-refreshment Festival/Tradeshow Event $200.00 per Festival/Tradeshow to maximum of 6 days or 2 consecutive weekends (3 days each); Administrative Penalty $50.00 per non-compliance. Annual fee reduced to $200.00 for business owners who comply with listed provisions. Applicant for Chip Wagon or Mobile Canteen after July 31 may pay one-half the licence fee. Charitable refreshment sales/festivals/tradeshows of broad community nature may be waived at Clerk's discretion.
Schedule "A"; s. 2(c); s. 7(b)
renewal
Annual; term from January 1 to December 31 each year; annual renewal may be issued to previous holder for previously approved location if requirements submitted annually.
s. 2(c); s. 2(e)
scout note
Licenses, regulates and governs refreshment vehicles (food trucks) in Smiths Falls under Part IV of the Municipal Act, 2001. Fees are in the separate Fee By-law.
Frequently Requested By-laws (Smiths Falls)
Index page linking the business licensing, refreshment vehicle and taxi by-laws.