Licensing
How to Get a Business Licence in Ontario
Getting a business licence in Ontario means registering a name, checking municipal rules and confirming provincial permits. Here is the step-by-step.
Getting a business licence in Ontario is really a two-part process: you may need to register your business name with the province, and you may need a licence or permit from your municipality or industry regulator. Most sole proprietors who operate under their own legal name do not have to register provincially, but many still need a municipal licence. This page explains both steps as of the current tax year, the fees the Ontario Business Registry publishes, and what has to be renewed.
Two levels of licensing in Ontario
There is no single provincial "business licence" that covers every Ontario business. Requirements come from three places:
- Provincial registration — registering a business name through the Ontario Business Registry (ServiceOntario) so you can legally trade under a name that is not your own legal name.
- Municipal licensing — a municipal licence Ontario cities, towns and townships issue for specific activities, such as operating a restaurant, a taxi, a retail storefront or a short-term rental.
- Sector regulators — trades, health professions, insurance, real estate and similar fields have their own provincial or federal licensing bodies.
If you are unsure whether any of this applies to you, start with Do I Need a Business Licence in Canada? for a decision framework.
Step 1: Should you register a business name in Ontario?
If you operate as a sole proprietor under your own legal name — for example, "Jordan Chen" — you do not need to register a business name in Ontario. If you want to trade as something like "Chen Consulting," you generally do need to register that name under the Business Names Act. Registration also matters for practical reasons: banks and payment processors typically ask for proof of registration before opening a business account.
Registering a name is separate from both incorporation and getting a Business Number (BN) from the CRA. To understand how the structure works, see What Is a Sole Proprietorship?
Step 2: How to register, and what it costs
The Ontario Business Registry is the provincial system for registering a business name. The process is straightforward:
- Search the Ontario Business Registry for free to check whether the name you want is already in use.
- Create an Ontario.ca Login and an Ontario Business Account.
- File a Register a Business Name for a Sole Proprietorship online in the OBR, or mail form 5288e.
- Keep the Business Identification Number (BIN), company key and Certificate of Registration that are emailed to you.
- Renew before the registration expires.
Fees published by the registry as of the current tax year are set out below. Confirm the current amounts on ontario.ca before you file.
| Item | Fee (as of the current tax year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Register a business name (sole proprietorship) | $60 | Online via the Ontario Business Registry, or by mail using form 5288e |
| Renewal | $60 every 5 years | Renew from 6 months before expiry up to 60 days after |
| Basic name search | Free | Optional paid products include a profile report ($8), document copy ($3) and certificate of status ($26) |
| Cancellation | $0 | Can be done at any time |
Municipal licences in Ontario
Municipalities issue their own licences, and the rules differ from one city to the next — a licence that is mandatory in Toronto may not exist in a smaller township. Typical activities that require a municipal licence include:
- Food handling: restaurants, cafés, food trucks and catering
- Retail storefronts, and some home-based businesses with customer traffic
- Taxi, rideshare and limousine services
- Short-term rentals and lodging
- Trades and contractors working in the municipality
- Personal services such as salons, spas and tattoo studios
Zoning matters too: running a business from home can require a home-occupation permit or a zoning review. See Home-Based Business Zoning Rules in Canada and Municipal Business Licence in Canada.
Other registrations Ontario sole proprietors may need
A business name registration is not the same thing as a tax account. Depending on your activity, you may also need:
- A Business Number (BN) from the CRA, with program accounts such as GST/HST or payroll as applicable.
- GST/HST registration once you exceed the small-supplier threshold, or voluntarily before that.
- Payroll deductions (CPP and EI) if you hire employees.
- Workplace coverage through Ontario's workers' compensation system, if you have employees in covered industries.
- Municipal permits for signs, patios or renovations.
Hiring brings extra obligations, including CRA payroll accounts — see Can a Sole Proprietorship Have Employees in Canada? You can review the BN basics in How to Get a Business Number (BN) in Canada.
Renewals, changes and record keeping
Ontario registrations are not permanent. Under the Business Names Act, a business name registration is effective for five years and must be renewed. The registry allows renewal starting six months before expiry and up to 60 days after, after which a new registration is required. You can cancel at any time at no cost. Keep your BIN, company key and Certificate of Registration somewhere secure, and update your registration if you change your address or business name. Municipal licences usually renew annually and can carry their own inspection requirements, so diarize both provincial and municipal dates.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a business licence to be a sole proprietor in Ontario?
Ontario does not issue one general business licence. If you operate under your own legal name, no provincial business name registration is required. You may still need a municipal licence or permit depending on your activity and location, and regulated trades or professions need their own provincial or federal licence. Confirm requirements with your municipality and any sector regulator.
How much does it cost to register a business name in Ontario?
As of 2026, the Ontario Business Registry lists a $60 government fee to register a sole proprietorship business name, whether you file online or by mail using form 5288e. A basic search of the registry is free. Renewals are also listed at $60 every five years. Municipal licence fees are set separately by each municipality, so confirm current amounts on ontario.ca before filing.
Does an Ontario business name registration expire?
Yes. Under the Business Names Act, an Ontario business name registration is effective for five years rather than permanently. You can renew from six months before expiry up to 60 days after it passes; after that window, a new registration is generally required. You may also cancel a registration at any time for no fee.
Do I need a municipal business licence in Ontario?
It depends on your municipality and your activity. Common licensed categories include food service, retail storefronts, taxis and rideshare, short-term rentals, contractors and personal services. Requirements, fees and inspections vary widely between cities, so contact your local licensing office. If you work from home, zoning or a home-occupation permit may also apply.
Can I apply for a business licence in Ontario online?
You can register a business name online through the Ontario Business Registry after creating an Ontario.ca Login and an Ontario Business Account, and many municipalities now accept licence applications online. Availability and processing times vary by municipality, so check your city's licensing page first. Provincial registration and municipal licensing are separate approvals.