Business Licensing

There are three types of business licences related to adult entertainment in the City of Brantford. All owners, operators, and entertainers require a licence in order to comply with our by-law.

View our list of currently licensed adult live entertainment.

Adult live entertainment parlour

Adult live entertainment parlours are businesses that provide services appealing to erotic or sexual appetites or inclinations.

The following applications are required for an adult live entertainment parlour licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Adult Entertainment Owner/Operator List

Fees:

• New adult live entertainment parlour - $1851.00
• New adult live entertainment parlour (after October 1st) - $1754.00
• Renewal adult live entertainment parlour - $925.00

Adult entertainer

Adult entertainers give live performances of an adult nature within an adult live entertainment parlour. A photo identification card is issued to each licensed entertainer and shall be produced upon request by any Provincial Offences Officer.

The following is required for an adult entertainer licence:

• Two pieces of identification
• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

• New adult entertainer - $330.00
• New adult entertainer (after October 1st) - $165.00
• Renewal adult entertainer - $215.00
• New temporary adult entertainer - $330.00
• New temporary adult entertainer (after October 1st) - $165.00

Adult entertainment single occasion

An adult entertainment single occasion licence allows for the operation of an adult live entertainment parlour for no more than six hours. The location of the single occasion must be operated within the provisions of the City’s Zoning Bylaw 160-90. Any entertainers hired to perform at the single occasion must obtain licences as adult entertainers.

The following applications are required for a adult live entertainment parlour licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Adult Entertainment Owner/Operator List

Fees:

• Adult entertainment single occasion - $165.00

Amusement arcades include a range of businesses where there are at least four or more amusement devices available to use for a fee. These do not include any businesses that are licensed under the Liquor Licence Act. Amusement devices include things like pinball games and video games, but not pool tables, bowling alleys, or slot machines. Please refer to our by-law page for more information.

The following is required for an amusement arcade licence:

• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

• New amusement arcade - $448.00
• New amusement arcade (after October 1st) - $224.00
• Renewal amusement arcade - $334.00

View our list of currently licensed amusement arcades.

Clothing donation bins are containers meant for the collection of clothing donated by the public. Please refer to our by-law page for more information.

The following is required for a clothing donation bin licence:

• Cloudpermit application

View our list of currently licensed clothing donation bins.

See below for a listing of licence fees.

For-profit clothing donation bins

• New for-profit operator - $457.00
• Renewal for-profit operator $208.00
• New for-profit operator (after October 1st) - $228.50
• New for-profit location - $100.00 (per bin)
• Renewal new for-profit location - $50.00 (per bin)
• New for-profit location (after October 1st) - $50.00 (per bin)

Charitable and non-profit clothing donation bins (one time fee)

• New bona fide charitable and non-profit operator - $100.00
• New bona fide charitable and non-profit operator (after October 1st) - $50.00
• New bona fide charitable and non-profit location - $25.00 (per bin)

There are three types of business licences related to food premises in the City of Brantford. All food shops, eating establishments, and food vending require a licence in order to comply with our by-law.

View our list of currently licensed food premises.

Food shop

Food shops include any place where food and drink are made, stored or sold, but not consumed. This does not include outdoor food premises.

The following is required for a food premises licence:

• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

• New food shop - $524.00
• Renewal food shop - 269.00
• New food shop (after October 1st) - $262.00

Eating establishment

Eating establishments include any place where food, or drink or both, is made and sold and is intended for people to consume at the establishment. There are three categories of eating establishments based on seating capacity:

• Seating capacity of 30 or fewer
• Seating capacity of 31 to 150
• Seating capacity of more than 150

The following is required for a food premises licence:

• Cloudpermit application

See below for a listing of fees for each category

Seating capacity of 30 or fewer

• New licence - $563.00
• Renewal licence - $341.00
• New licence (after October 1st) - $281.50

Seating capacity of 31 to 150

• New licence - $613.00
• Renewal licence - $391.00
• New licence (after October 1st) - $306.50

Seating capacity of more than 150

• New licence - $663.00
• Renewal licence - $441.00
• New licence (after October 1st) - $331.50

Food vending

Food vending includes any self-service machine that dispenses food in either bulk or package form.

The following is required for a food premises licence:

• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

• New food vending - $524.00
• Renewal food vending - $269.00
• New food vending (after October 1st) - $262.00

There are four main types of business licences related to food service vehicles in the City of Brantford. All food carts, special event carts, trailers, and special event trailers require a licence in order to comply with our by-law.

View our list of currently licensed food service vehicles.

View our list of currently licensed special event food service vehicles.

Food cart

Food carts are vehicles that sell food and that can be moved by human effort on a daily basis.

The following is required for a food service vehicle licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Food Service Vehicle Location Listing Form

Fees:

• New food cart - $458.00
• Renewal food - $209.00
• New food cart (after October 1st) - $229.00

Food truck or trailer

Food trucks and trailers are vehicles that sell food and can be moved on a daily basis by their motors or by being towed.

The following is required for a food service vehicle licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Food Service Vehicle Location Listing Form

Fees:

• New food truck or trailer - $625.00
• Renewal food truck or trailer - $226.00
• New food truck or trailer (after October 1st) - $312.50

Special event food cart

Special event food carts are vehicles that sell food and that can be moved by human effort on a daily basis. Licensing is only valid for 120 days and must be related to a special event.

The following is required for a special event food service vehicle licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Food Service Vehicle Location Listing Form

Fee:

• $50.00

Special event food truck or trailer

Special event food trucks and trailers are vehicles that sell food and can be moved on a daily basis by their motors or by being towed. Licensing is only valid for 120 days and must be related to a special event.

The following is required for a special event food service vehicle licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Food Service Vehicle Location Listing Form

Fee:

• $100

General building trades include any of the following:

• Driveway paving and sealing
• Eavestrough
• Fascia
• Roofing
• Siding installation
• Soffits
• Window and door installation

Refer to our by-law page for more information. Please note that driveway pavers and sealers must submit proof of $2 million public liability and property damage insurance with the City of Brantford named on the policy

The following is required for a general building trades licence:

• Cloudpermit application
• Proof of $2 million public liability and property damage insurance

Fees:

• New general building trades - $356.00
• New general building trades (after October 1st) - $178.00
• Renewal general building trades - $249.00

View our list of currently licensed general building trades.

All hotels and motels within Brantford as defined below, require a licence in order to comply with our by-law.

“Hotel” shall mean a lot and a building, or structure, or portion thereof, or two or more connected or detached buildings, in which rooms are provided for rent as places of abode on a temporary or transient basis, containing a restaurant and convention centre, meeting rooms, public halls, fitness, pool and spa facilities and may include, as an accessory use, retail facilities provided for the convenience of hotel patrons, accessory retail sales open to the public on a temporary basis, but shall not include an apartment dwelling, lodging house, retirement home or crisis residence.

“Motel” shall mean a lot and a building, or structure, or portion thereof, or two or more connected or detached buildings, in which rooms are provided for rent as places of abode on a temporary or transient basis, and may include a restaurant, but shall not include a lodging house, retirement home, an apartment dwelling, meeting rooms, retail facilities, convention centre, or a public hall.

Schedule A-13 outlines what is required to obtain and maintain a Hotel/Motel Licence:

• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

• New Hotel/Motel Licence: $730.00
• New Hotel/Motel Licence (after October 1^st): $365
• Renewal: $631.00

View our list of currently licensed hotel/motel.

Lodging homes contain one or more units intended to be used for sleeping accommodations and provided to at least five people. These units may include washroom facilities or kitchen facilities, but not both. Please refer to our by-law page for more information.

The following is required for a lodging home licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Lodging Home Questionnaire

Fees:

• New lodging home - $651.00
• New lodging home (after October 1st) - $325.50
• Renewal lodging home - $556.00

View our list of currently licensed lodging homes.

All payday loan establishments within Brantford as defined below, require a licence in order to comply with our by-law.

“Payday Loan” shall mean an advancement of money in exchange for a post-dated cheque, a pre-authorized debit or a future payment of a similar nature but not for any guarantee, suretyship, overdraft protection or security on property and not through a margin loan, pawn broking, a line of credit or a credit card;

“Payday Loan Establishment” shall mean a premises where a loan broker or lender administers payday loans.

Schedule A-14 outlines what is required to obtain and maintain a Payday Loan Establishment Licence

• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

New Payday Loan Establishment Licence: $507.00

New Payday Loan Establishment Licence (after October 1st): $253.50

Renewal: $308.00

View our list of currently licensed payday loan establishment.

Pawnbrokers loan money to people who bring in valuable items which they leave with the pawnbroker. Please refer to our by-law page for more information.

The following is required for a pawnbroker licence:

• Cloudpermit application

• $2,000 security

Fees:

• New pawnbroker - $483.00
• New pawnbroker (after October 1st) - $241.50
• Renewal pawnbroker - $201.00

View our list of currently licensed pawnbrokers.

Personal service settings are businesses that provide body piercing, electrolysis, scarification, and tattooing. Please refer to our by-law page for more information.

The following is required for a personal service setting licence:

• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

• New personal service setting - $450.00
• New personal service setting (after October 1st) - $225.00
• Renewal personal service setting - $224.00

View our list of currently licensed personal service settings.

There are four types of business licences related to plumbing trades in the City of Brantford. All plumbing contractors, sewer or drain contractors, master drain layers, and master plumbers require a licence in order to comply with our by-law.

View our list of currently licensed plumbing contractors.

View our list of currently licensed sewer drain contractors.

Plumbing contractor

Plumbing contractors have businesses that carry out plumbing work and employ at least one master plumber who does not carry out any separate business or work as a plumber.

The following is required for a plumbing trades licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Plumbing Contractor Information and Plumbing Trades Vehicle Information Form

Fees:

• New plumbing contractor - $448.00
• Renewal plumbing contractor - $344.00
• New plumbing contractor (after October 1st) - $224.00

Sewer or drain contractor

Sewer or drain contractors have businesses that install drain work including pipes that are used to direct sewage outside of buildings. They also employ at least one master drain layer.

The following is required for a plumbing trades licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Plumbing Trades Vehicle Information Form

Fees:

• New sewer or drain contractor - $448.00
• Renewal sewer or drain contractor - $344.00
• New sewer or drain contractor (after October 1st) - $224.00

Master drain layer

Master drain layers plan, manage, and install drain work. They are familiar with the laws, rules, and regulations related to drain work.

The following is required for a plumbing trades licence:

• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

• New master drain layer - $323.00
• Renewal master drain layer - $223.00
• New master drain layer (after October 1st) - $161.50

Master plumber

Master plumbers have certificates of qualification from the Province. They plan, manage, and install plumbing. They are familiar with the laws, rules, and regulations related to plumbing work.

The following is required for a plumbing trades licence:

• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

• New master plumber - $323.00
• Renewal master plumber - $223.00
• New master plumber (after October 1st) - $161.50

Public halls include any building, structure, or tent with a seating capacity of over 100 people used for meetings, events, and entertainment. They may include facilities for on-site food preparation and the consumption of food. All public halls require a licence in order to comply with our by-law.

Please note that public halls are not exempt from our noise by-law.

The following is required for a public hall licence:

• Cloudpermit application
• Proof of $3 million public liability and property damage insurance
• Ontario Hydro clearance certificate

Fees:

• New public hall - $648.00
• Renewal public hall - $557.00
• New public hall (after October 1st) - $324.00
• Increase in temporary capacity - $44.00
• Amended capacity - $44.00

View our list of currently licensed public halls.

Salvage yards are places where materials are stored in the open, including junk yards, scrap yards, and automobile wrecking yards. All salvage yards require a licence in order to comply with our by-law.

The following is required for a salvage yard licence:

• Cloudpermit application

Fees:

• New salvage yard - $527.00
• Renewal salvage yard - $433.00
• New salvage yard (after October 1st) - $263.50

View our list of currently licensed salvage yards.

All Short Term Rental Accommodations as defined below are required to be registered within the City.

A short term rental is defined as “a dwelling unit, or part thereof, in which temporary accommodation is made available to members of the travelling public for a maximum of 28 consecutive days per stay, and does not include a bed and breakfast establishment, lodging house or group home; or as defined by the City of Brantford’s Zoning By-law 160-90”

Schedule A-15 of Municipal Code 326 – Business Licensing outlines what is required to register your accommodation.

Fees: $50.00 annually

Register your Short Term Rental Accommodation using Cloudpermit

Most liquor sales licensees and manufacturers that hold a by-the-glass endorsement who want to operate a temporary patio will need municipal approval

• Upon obtaining an approval from a municipality, you are required to then notify the AGCO by making a submission on the iAGCO portal before selling or serving liquor on your temporary patio (see Notifying the AGCO of an Approved Temporary Patio)
• Temporary patios may only operate for a maximum of eight months per calendar year
• For inquiries regarding the Temporary Patio Liquor Licence, please contact the Licensing Team at licensing@brantford.ca or 519-759-4150 ext. 5871

Apply for a Temporary Outdoor Physical Extension (Temporary Patio)

All temporary sales require a licence in order to comply with our by-law. Temporary sales need a licensed pedlar operator. This is a person who employs or supervises one or more pedlars. Pedlars are people who go from place to place selling goods and services.

The following is required for a temporary sales licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Temporary Sales Employee List

Fees:

• New pedlar operator - $539.00
• Renewal pedlar operator - $246.00
• New pedlar operator (after October 1st) - $269.50
• Pedlar - $50.00

View our list of currently licensed pedlars.

Pedlar - specific location temporary sales

Pedlar - specific location temporary sales include any business that is operated by a person who sells goods or services from a specific temporary location. Examples include fireworks, rugs, blankets, and flags. This licence is only valid for a maximum of six consecutive days. Thirty days must pass before applying to use the same specific location.

The following is required for a temporary sales licence:

• Cloudpermit application including Temporary Sales Employee List
• A letter from the property owner confirming permission of the sale

Fees:

• Specific temporary sales - $638.00