Do I need a business licence or permit? What does it cost?
In the City of St. Catharines, Ontario, business licences & permits rules are set by Business Licensing By-law No. 2005-318 and 1 other bylaw, verified 2026-10-25. A licence is required. Fee: Sign permit fee as set by the Rates and Fees By-Law; variance application fee as set by the Rates and Fees By-Law, non-refundable. Renewal: expires last day of twelfth month after issue.
| licence required | yes | s. 13 |
| who must license | Businesses set forth in schedules, including adult entertainment, arcade, auctioneer, bill poster, body rub, hawker/peddler, plumber, public hall, restaurant, lodging, theatre | s. 13; Schedule "A" |
| renewal | expires last day of twelfth month after issue | s. 24 |
Regulates the issuance of business licences within the City of St. Catharines, covering trades such as hawkers/peddlers, amusement arcades, auctioneers, plumbers, theatres and restaurants.
| licence required | yes | s. 2.2 |
| who must license | Any person erecting, relocating, possessing, placing, maintaining, altering, causing or permitting a Sign | s. 2.2 |
| fee | Sign permit fee as set by the Rates and Fees By-Law; variance application fee as set by the Rates and Fees By-Law, non-refundable | s. 2.3(f); s. 2.13(b) |
| renewal | Flag Sign or Wrap Around Sign: site plan and fee on each anniversary of permit issuance | s. 2.4 |
Regulates the erection of signs and other advertising devices, including banner signs and home-based-business signs (amended by 2014-176, 2014-215, 2016-150); election-sign provisions added by 2025-023/024.