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Toronto · Automotive & driving

Licences and permits to open a car wash or gas station in Toronto

We found two licences, permits and registrations that can apply when you open a car wash or gas station in Toronto, starting with the Public Garage licence. They are handled by two different bodies: Municipal Licensing & Standards and the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).

One item is provincial rather than municipal — the TSSA licensing — so expect to deal with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) as well as the City. The published application-plus-licence total for the Public Garage licence is $521.33. One has no fee listed on the page we reviewed.

Requirements
2
Issuers
2
Provincial
1
Last verified
Oct 31, 2026

What you'll need

Last verified:

  1. 01Public Garage licence

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Car washes and gas stations are licensed under the Public Garage category.

    Fees as published

    • Application fee: $233.02
    • Licence fee: $288.31
    • Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $521.33
    • Renewal fee: $350.51 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026)
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  2. 02TSSA licensing

    Provincial

    Issued by: Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)

    The City's business-regulations table lists TSSA licensing as a provincial requirement for gas stations, car washes and service stations.

    No fee published on the source page.

    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the municipality before opening.

FAQ

Car Wash / Gas Station in Toronto: common questions

What licences do I need to open a car wash or gas station in Toronto?
Our list has two items: Public Garage licence and TSSA licensing. Confirm with the City of Toronto before opening.
How much do the licences cost to open a car wash or gas station in Toronto?
Published fees: Public Garage licence: Application fee: $233.02; Licence fee: $288.31; Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $521.33; Renewal fee: $350.51 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026). Fees change; check the linked page for the current amount.
Who issues these licences and permits?
City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards (Public Garage licence); Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) (TSSA licensing).
Do I need anything from the Province of Ontario?
Yes. TSSA licensing (the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)) is provincial. The City's pages reference it; apply with the provincial body directly.
How current is this information?
Each item was last checked against the linked page on October 31, 2026. Rules and fees change, so open the linked page and confirm with the issuer before you apply. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

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Next steps

Before you apply

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