Business Licences | Town of Saugeen Shores

Thinking about starting a business in Saugeen Shores?

You may need a business licence if you:

Run a temporary or mobile business
Use a refreshment vehicle, or
Offer entertainment

Note: Permanent businesses based in Saugeen Shores don’t need a licence.

How to get started

Visit BizPal to see what licences and permits apply to you. You can filter by location, industry and activity

Fill out the Business Licence Application online.

Submit your completed application to the Clerk’s Office at least 30 days before you plan to start operating.

Visit BizPal Submit a Business Licence Application

What you'll need to get started

Application fee
Proof that your location is zoned for your business
A letter from the property owner if you’re using someone else’s land
A site plan or drawing (if needed)
Liability insurance:
$2 million minimum ($5 million if offering entertainment) listing the Town of Saugeen Shores as an additional insured

Have questions? We’re here to help—just contact the Clerk’s Office anytime.

Category	Licence Fee
Temporary Sales (day sales, seasonal and door-to-door)	$238.02 per location
Refreshment Vehicles (canteen, mobile BBQ, chip wagon, hot dog cart, ice cream truck or bike)	$238.02 per unit
Entertainment Event (circus or menagerie)	$238.02 per day
Entertainment Event (place of amusement)	$238.02 per location
Taxi or Limousine (Annual Driver Permit)	$60.03
Taxi or Limousine	$61.21 per vehicle

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 Office prior to the sale of goods.

Refreshment Vehicles License

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 Office prior to the sale of goods. All refreshment vehicles must be approved by the Public 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 Office prior to the sale of goods or services.

Taxi and Limousine License

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 always be visible while working.