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Business Licensing

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You may need to get a business licence from the Town of Saugeen Shores if your business operates on a temporary or transient basis, uses a refreshment vehicle or provides entertainment.

Permanent businesses located in Saugeen Shores do not require a licence.

Applying for a licence

Access BizPal to determine if you need a business licence and download application forms.

Access the online Saugeen Shores Business Licence Application.

Applications

You must submit your application form to the Clerk's Department at least 30 days in advance of requiring a business licence. 

Your application must include:

  • Application fee
  • Confirmation that the zoning of the proposed location supports the intended activity
  • Letter from the property owner granting permission to use the land (if applicable)
  • Detailed drawing showing the location of the business on the property (if applicable)
  • Liability insurance amounting to $2 million, or $5 million for entertainment applications, naming Saugeen Shores as an additional named insured

Fees

Fees for business licence applications

Category

Licence Fee

Temporary Sales (day sales, seasonal and door-to-door)

$214.07 per location

Refreshment Vehicles (canteen, mobile BBQ, chip wagon, hot dog cart, ice cream truck or bike)

$214.07 per unit

Entertainment Event (circus or menagerie)

$214.07 per day

Entertainment Event (place of amusement)

$214.07 per location

Taxi or Limousine

$214.07 per business

Taxi or Limousine

$55.05 per vehicle per year

Types of licences

There are a number of categories of business licensing, as listed below. View Business Licensing By-law 98-2004 for more details.

Temporary Sales Licence

This licence applies to the following:

  • The temporary sale of goods, which could travel from place to place, stay in one location or go door-to-door.
  • Sales such as, but not limited to, flowers, fresh produce and Christmas trees.

Vendors of this nature must submit a Temporary Sales Licence Application to the Clerk's department prior to the sale of goods.

Refreshment Vehicles Licence

This licence applies to the following:

  • Refreshment vehicles that sell food products for consumption by the public, including food carts, wagons or trucks.
  • Sales such as, but not limited to, hot dogs or ice cream.

Vendors of this nature must submit a Refreshment Vehicle Licence Application to the Clerk's department prior to the sale of goods. All refreshment vehicles must be approved by the Public Health Unit and a TSSA certificate is required prior to obtaining a licence.

Saugeen Shores issues annual Refreshment Vehicle Licences on municipally owned sites, where public washrooms are available. Review the Refreshment Vehicle on Town Property Policy.

Entertainment Licence

This licence applies to any circus, menagerie or place of amusement that sets up in the Town of Saugeen Shores. Businesses of this nature must submit an Entertainment Licence Application to the Clerk's department prior to the sale of goods or services.

Taxi and Limousine Licence

When submitting an application each year, the following must accompany the Taxi or Limousine Application.

  • Appropriate Licence Fee
  • Mechanical Safety Check for all vehicles
  • Ministry of Transportation Driver's Abstracts for each Driver
  • Criminal Checks by the local Police Department for all drivers
  • Vulnerable Sector Checks by the local Police Department for each Driver
  • Photograph of each Driver
  • Proof of Insurance

Each vehicle is issued a Saugeen Shores Taxi Licence Plate, which must be attached to the rear bumper of each vehicle.

Each driver will be issued a Saugeen Shores identification card, which must be visible at all times while working.

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Contact Us

Town of Saugeen Shores

600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820

Port Elgin ON N0H 2C0

Phone 519-832-2008

Toll Free 1-866-832-2008

Fax 519-832-2140

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