Free tool · For founders
Which licences does your new business need?
Pick your municipality and business type. You'll get the licences, permits and registrations that can apply, who issues each one, the published fee and a direct link to the City's own page.
Toronto: 33 business types · 92 requirements · last verified Oct 31, 2026
Step 1: Where will the business operate?
Pick the municipality. We add cities as we verify their requirements.
Step 2: What kind of business?
Search by name or a common term, like “barber”, “pizza shop” or “Airbnb host”.
- Auto Repair Garage
- Bakery
- Bar or Pub
- Barbershop
- Building Renovator / General Contractor
- Café / Coffee Shop
- Car Wash / Gas Station
- Convenience Store
- Driving School
- Dry Cleaner
- Food Cart
- Food Truck
- Grocery Store
- Hair Salon
- Heating / HVAC Contractor
- Holistic Practitioner / Holistic Centre
- Jewellery Store / Gold Buyer
- Laundromat
- Nail Salon
- Nightclub
- Pawn Shop
- Payday Lender
- Pet Store
- Plumbing Contractor
- Restaurant
- Short-Term Rental Host
- Sidewalk Patio (CaféTO)
- Smoke Shop / Tobacconist
- Spa / Aesthetics Studio
- Take-out Restaurant
- Tattoo Studio
- Used Goods Store
- Vape Shop
Popular:
Step 3: What you'll need
Choose a municipality and a business type to see the list.
FAQ
About the Licence Checker
Is the Licence Checker free?
Yes. There's no account and no payment. You only give us an email if you ask to be notified about a municipality or a change.
Where does the information come from?
Each item was researched from the municipality's own website and links to the exact page it came from (for Toronto, toronto.ca). Provincial items are included where the City's pages reference them. Every item shows the date we last checked it, and fees are quoted as the page published them.
Is this legal advice?
No. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Your exact requirements depend on your location, zoning and how you operate. Confirm requirements with the municipality before opening, and speak to a lawyer or licensing consultant if your situation is unusual.
Which municipalities are covered?
Toronto (33 business types) today. Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Pickering, Ajax and Oshawa are marked "Coming soon" — pick one to be notified when it's ready.
Is FileSignal part of the City?
No. FileSignal is an independent service and is not affiliated with any government. We link to each issuer's page so you can confirm everything at the source.
What do you record when I use the checker?
Anonymous usage events — that the checker was used and which municipality and business type were looked up — so we know which guides to build next. No name or email is collected unless you submit a form.