Do I need a business licence or permit? What does it cost?
In the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario, business licences & permits rules are set by Adult Entertainment By-law and 18 other bylaws, verified 2026-10-28. A licence is required. Fee: As set out in By-law Number PC9-2005. Who must license: Owners, Operators, and Attendants of Adult Entertainment Establishments.
| licence required | yes | ss. 3.01-3.03 |
| who must license | Owners, Operators, and Attendants of Adult Entertainment Establishments | ss. 3.01-3.03 |
| fee | As set out in By-law Number PC9-2005 | s. 2.04 |
| renewal | Renewable one year from the date of issue | s. 2.13 |
Licenses and regulates adult entertainment establishments and their operators/performers in Thunder Bay.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01 |
| who must license | Every person who Operates a Business, where Business means the Operation of a Kennel. | s. 1.01(c), s. 3.01 |
| fee | As set out in By-law Number 196-2000 | s. 2.04 |
| renewal | Licenses expire one year from the date of issue. | s. 2.13 |
Licenses commercial dog kennels operating within the city.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01 |
| who must license | Eating Establishments and/or Food Shops (restaurants, refreshment stands, take-out centres, food shops), excluding s. 1.01(b) exceptions. | s. 1.01(b), s. 1.01(i), s. 1.01(l) |
| fee | As set out in By-law Number 297-2002 (duplicate and re-inspection fees also as set out therein). | s. 2.04; s. 2.15; s. 4.03 |
| renewal | one year from the date of issue | s. 2.13 |
Licenses restaurants and other eating establishments operating in the city.
Amendment to the Eating Establishments licensing By-law.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01 |
| who must license | Persons operating a Business, defined as hairstyling/hair cutting/dressing services, including hairdressers, hairstylists and barbers. | s. 3.01; s. 1.01(b), (i) |
| fee | As set out in By-law Number 297-2002 | s. 2.04 |
| renewal | Licenses come into effect on date issued and do not expire | s. 2.13 |
Licenses hairstylists/hairdressing establishments operating in Thunder Bay.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01 |
| who must license | Operation of a Lodging House. | s. 1.01(b); s. 3.01 |
| fee | as set out in By-law Number 297-2002 | s. 2.04 |
| renewal | expires one year from the date of issue | s. 2.13 |
Licenses lodging/rooming houses operating in Thunder Bay.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01 |
| who must license | Peddlers carrying on a Business in Thunder Bay; Stationary Peddler and Peddler Licenses. | s. 1.01(o); s. 1.01(g) |
| fee | License fee, duplicate fee, re-inspection fee, and hearing fee as set out in By-law Number 297-2002. | s. 2.04; s. 2.15; s. 4.03; s. 5.02 |
| renewal | Peddler Licenses renewable one year from date of issue; Stationary Peddler Licenses not renewable. | s. 2.13 |
Licenses peddlers/door-to-door and street vendors operating in Thunder Bay.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01 |
| who must license | Pet Shop businesses carried on in Thunder Bay | "license Pet Shop businesses carried on in Thunder Bay" |
| fee | License fee as set out in By-law Number 297-2002; duplicate License fee as set out in By-law Number 297-2002 | s. 2.04; s. 2.15 |
| renewal | Expires one year from the date of issue | s. 2.13 |
Licenses commercial pet shops operating in the city.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01(a)-(b) |
| who must license | Master Plumbers and Plumbing Contractor businesses; persons installing/maintaining Plumbing or operating as Plumbing Contractor | s. 3.01(a)-(b) |
| fee | License fee and duplicate License fee as set out in By-law Number 297-2002 | s. 2.04; s. 2.14 |
| renewal | Licenses expire one year from the date of issue | s. 2.13 |
Licenses plumbers working within city limits.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01 |
| who must license | Persons operating a Public Hall (Business) | s. 1.01(b); s. 3.01 |
| fee | As set out in By-law Number 297-2002; Not For Profit Organizations exempt | s. 2.04 |
| renewal | Expires one year from date of issue | s. 2.13 |
Licenses public halls/assembly venues in Thunder Bay for safety and operating standards.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01 |
| who must license | Persons operating a Business: sale of Food and Drink for immediate consumption from a Refreshment Vehicle. | s. 3.01; s. 1.01(b) |
| fee | License fee as set out in By-law Number 297-2002; duplicate License fee also as set out in By-law Number 297-2002. | s. 2.04; s. 2.16 |
| renewal | renewable one year from the date of issue | s. 2.13 |
Licenses mobile food/refreshment vehicles (food trucks/carts) operating in Thunder Bay.
| licence required | yes | Licensing and Regulation of Refreshment Vehicles |
| who must license | Refreshment Vehicles | Licensing and Regulation of Refreshment Vehicles |
Amendment 1 to the Refreshment Vehicle By-law.
| licence required | yes | Licensing and Regulation of Refreshment Vehicles |
| who must license | Refreshment Vehicles | Licensing and Regulation of Refreshment Vehicles |
Amendment 2 to the Refreshment Vehicle By-law.
| licence required | yes | s. 4.01 |
| who must license | Second Hand Goods Dealers, Pawnbrokers, and Salvage Yard Dealers, unless exempted by s. 4.02. | s. 4.01; s. 4.02 |
| fee | Basic fee as set out in By-law Number PC9-2005; duplicate and re-inspection fees as set out in PC9-2005. | s. 2.05; s. 2.17; s. 4.29 |
| renewal | Licenses come into effect on issue date and do not expire. | s. 2.16 |
Licenses second-hand goods dealers and pawnbrokers operating in the city.
Amendment 1 to Sign By-law 135-1972.
Amendment 2 to Sign By-law 135-1972.
| licence required | yes | s. 4.1(a) |
| who must license | Any person erecting, displaying, altering, or repairing any sign in the City of Thunder Bay | s. 4.1(a) |
| fee | Encroaching signs: greater of $50.00 or $2.50/sq m of sign face; Mobile Sign: $20.00; Mobile Billboard Sign: $50.00; All Other Signs: greater of $20.00 or $2.50/sq m of sign face | Schedule "A" |
| renewal | Encroaching sign permits: annual, beginning January 1 and expiring December 31; non-compliant continuation subject to renewal of licence at same rate | Schedule "A", Encroaching Signs (b) and (c) |
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.
| licence required | yes | s. 3.01 |
| who must license | Operation of a Trailer Park | s. 1.01(b) |
| fee | As set out in By-law 297-2002 | s. 2.04 |
| renewal | one year from date of issue | s. 2.13 |
Licenses trailer parks operating within Thunder Bay.
| licence required | yes | s. 3(1); s. 24; s. 36; s. 41(1) |
| who must license | Owners, drivers, brokers, and designated driver service providers of vehicle for hire and designated driver services. | s. 3(1); s. 24; s. 36; s. 41(1) |
| renewal | Vehicle Licence: one (1) year; Business/Broker/Designated Driver Service Provider: three (3) years; Driver's Licence: ninety (90) days or one (1) year. | s. 16; s. 23; s. 35; s. 40; s. 57; s. 58 |
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.