Business Licences
Temporary Business Licence
Temporary Business Licence
How Can This Help?
New business models are using the pop-ups to:
- test markets
- increase their name recognition
- promote business development with minimal risk
The City of Hamilton has a new licensing option for businesses wishing to test the market on a temporary basis before becoming fully licensed. The Temporary Business License is valid generally for 30 days depending on the circumstance.
The Temporary Business Licence is a unique tool that fits with the City’s philosophy of being “Open for Business”. The concept was presented in an information report to the Open For Business Sub-Committee on May 5, 2016.
Requirements for a Temporary Business Licence
Typical licensing of a business goes through many inspections to ensure compliance with all the regulations and conditions in order to obtain a business licence. Inspections are completed for Health, Fire, Building, Traffic, Parking and Zoning before a licence is issued to a new business owner.
Several criteria must be met for a Temporary Business Licence and for occupancy to be granted. The minimum requirements are:
Licensing requirements
- Zoned Inspection
- Health Inspection
Building requirements
- No alterations to the location
- At least one washroom
- Typically on the ground floor
- A limited occupancy load (30 or less)
- On-Site Building Inspection
How to
Apply for Temporary Licence
You will need to submit an application letter that includes:
- the reasons for the application
- assurances that you will meet the minimum requirements
You can submit by email or in person to:
Licensing and By-Law Services
330 Wentworth Street North
Hamilton, ON
L8L 5W3
Email [email protected]
Monday & Wednesday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
One Stop - Business Licensing
City Hall, 1st Floor
71 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON
Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
The application will be reviewed by our staff and the Temporary Business Licence will be granted under the sole discretion of the Licensing Director, who will ensure that there is a valid reason to issue the licence. A temporary licence will not be granted to business operators seeking to open a business up early without proper and full inspections or hoping to compromise public health and safety concerns.
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