Business licences & permits — Thunder Bay, Ontario

Do I need a business licence or permit? What does it cost?

The City of Thunder Bay, Ontario has 19 adopted bylaws on file: Adult Entertainment By-law; Dog Kennel By-law; Eating Establishments By-law; Eating Establishments By-law Amendment; Hairstylists By-law; Lodging House By-law; Peddler By-law; Pet Shop By-law; Plumber By-law; Public Hall By-law; Refreshment Vehicle By-law; Refreshment Vehicle By-law Amendment 1; Refreshment Vehicle By-law Amendment 2; Second Hand Goods / Pawnbroker By-law; Sign By-law Amendment 1; Sign By-law Amendment 2; Sign By-law No. 135-1992 (as amended); Trailer Park By-law; Vehicle for Hire and Designated Driver By-law, BL 17/2018, verified 2026-08-23.

Adult Entertainment By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses and regulates adult entertainment establishments and their operators/performers in Thunder Bay.

Dog Kennel By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses commercial dog kennels operating within the city.

Eating Establishments By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses restaurants and other eating establishments operating in the city.

Eating Establishments By-law Amendment adopted bylaw

Amendment to the Eating Establishments licensing By-law.

Hairstylists By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses hairstylists/hairdressing establishments operating in Thunder Bay.

Lodging House By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses lodging/rooming houses operating in Thunder Bay.

Peddler By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses peddlers/door-to-door and street vendors operating in Thunder Bay.

Pet Shop By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses commercial pet shops operating in the city.

Plumber By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses plumbers working within city limits.

Public Hall By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses public halls/assembly venues in Thunder Bay for safety and operating standards.

Refreshment Vehicle By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses mobile food/refreshment vehicles (food trucks/carts) operating in Thunder Bay.

Refreshment Vehicle By-law Amendment 1 adopted bylaw

Amendment 1 to the Refreshment Vehicle By-law.

Refreshment Vehicle By-law Amendment 2 adopted bylaw

Amendment 2 to the Refreshment Vehicle By-law.

Second Hand Goods / Pawnbroker By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses second-hand goods dealers and pawnbrokers operating in the city.

Sign By-law Amendment 1 adopted bylaw

Amendment 1 to Sign By-law 135-1972.

Sign By-law Amendment 2 adopted bylaw

Amendment 2 to Sign By-law 135-1972.

Sign By-law No. 135-1992 (as amended) adopted bylaw

Original 1972 by-law prohibiting/regulating signs and advertising devices, requiring permits for erection/alteration; kept current via separate amendment by-laws below rather than a single consolidation.

Trailer Park By-law adopted bylaw

Licenses trailer parks operating within Thunder Bay.

Vehicle for Hire and Designated Driver By-law, BL 17/2018 adopted bylaw

Repeals and replaces Police Services Board taxi by-laws PC5/PC6-2005; licenses taxi, limousine, and designated-driver vehicles and drivers for health, safety, and consumer protection.

Machine-readable: business-licensing.json · Official website: https://www.thunderbay.ca · Last verified 2026-08-23 · Business licences & permits in other municipalities