Business Licences and Permits

Mobile restaurant licences

Council has amended the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law to add a definition for mobile restaurants.  Mobile restaurants include any vehicle, trailer, cart or other structure not placed on a permanent basis which is equipped for cartage, storage and the preparation of food stuffs, beverages, confections and where such items are offered directly for consumption to the general public and excluding private guests.

Mobile restaurants are more commonly known as food trucks, mobile canteens, hot dog carts, ice cream bicycles, etc.

Mobile restaurants are permitted on Town owned public parkland and road allowances.  They are permitted in the C1A (unserviced general commercial zone) and C1B (serviced general commercial zone).  Zone provisions apply so you are encouraged to submit a detailed site plan to the Building Division prior to making any application - you must be sure that you comply with the zone provisions. 

Anyone wishing to operate a mobile restaurant in South Bruce Peninsula must obtain a business licence from the Town.

The licensing by-law permits a total of twenty-nine (29) mobile restaurants in South Bruce Peninsula (includes both public and private property):

• Five (5) in the former geographic Township of Amabel (excluding Sauble Beach)
• Ten (10) in the former geographic area of Sauble Beach
• Five (5) in the former geographic Township of Albemarle
• Three (3) in the former geographic Village of Hepworth
• Six (6) in the former geographic Town of Wiarton

Please see the fees by-law for license fees and operating costs. The Town accepts applications for the operation of mobile restaurants in South Bruce Peninsula.  To file a complete application you will need to submit:

• An application form
• Grey Bruce Health Unit approval
• A positive propane inspection by a Certified Gas Fitter (if outfitted with propane)
• Copy of the drivers license of every operator
• Copy of ownership of the mobile restaurant
• Proof of general and automobile liability insurance (in good standing)
• Description of the food menu
• Written permission from the owner of the private property where the mobile restaurant will be located
• A plan for the containment and disposal of grey water, grease and garbage
• A land survey or detailed site plan including dimensions in feet or meters showing the location of the mobile restaurant as it relates to other buildings and structures on the property (including the location of any washrooms and eating areas)
• Written confirmation of compliance with Zoning By-Law provisions
• Mobile canteens require written confirmation of location business operates from and list of industrial/quarry/construction sites to be served
• Location and name of any other food establishments in proximity to the proposed location of the food truck
• Photo of mobile restaurant
• Dimensions of the mobile restaurant

Please be advised that only complete applications will be considered.  Submitting an incomplete application will not hold a place; other complete applications will be moved forward in the que.  Licensing is subject to approval by the Town and payment of the applicable license fee and where operating on Town property, the license fee and the rental fee.  Submission of a complete application does not guarantee that any license will be issued.

Apply Online  
For more information, please contact our Manager of Economic Development and Communications. 

 Food delivery service licences

A food delivery service business is any business whose purpose it is to deliver food to a person(s) at an agreed upon location.  A food delivery service is a stand-alone business and does not include any delivery of food that a restaurant may provide to their patrons.  A food delivery service business can contract with a restaurant to deliver their food; all provisions in our by-lawapply. 

Council has authorized designated parking spaces for food delivery service businesses along Lakeshore Blvd N in Sauble Beach.  Restaurants who wish to deliver food and use the designated spaces may do so by registering with the Town and paying a fee.

To apply for a license to operate a food delivery service business, please complete our application formand submit it to the Manager of Economic Development and Communications.

Kennel licences

A kennel:

• is a place where four (4) or more dogs are lodged, treated, bred, kept or boarded,
• can be a Breeding Kennel, a Commercial Kennel or a Hobby Kennel,
• is not a recognized animal shelter,
• is not a pet shop, and
• is not a grooming establishment.

In order to get and keep a licence you will need:

• to be on a property with zoning that allows a kennel,
• to construct the kennel according to all applicable law,
• to make sure that the dogs cannot escape,
• to buy dog tags and a kennel licence,
• to submit an application form with a site plan to the Town for approval each year,
• to keep records of all of the dogs in the kennel,
• make a declaration that you have not been convicted under the Criminal Code of Canada for animal cruelty or other animal related offences,
• keep only the number of dogs approved for the type of kennel,
• allow the Animal Control Officer to inspect the kennel, and
• comply with the standards approved by Council for a kennel.

You can look at the Dog Regulating By-Law for more information.

There is a licencing fee. Please contact the Town Clerk to discuss licensing. 

Rickshaw or pedicab owner licence

A rickshaw is a two wheeled vehicle propelled by human power and meant to carry passengers.

A pedicab is a vehicle with more than two wheels propelled by human power and mean to carry passengers.

To get and keep a licence you will need:

• a separate licence for each rickshaw/pedicab,
• an address which will be considered the "home" location of the business (must be zoned for the business),
• to make sure that drivers are at least 18 years of age,
• to keep the licence number fixed on the rickshaw/pedicab,
• to make sure that the drivers are licensed by the Town,
• to have a slow moving vehicle sign on the back of the rickshaw/pedicab,
• to have two red reflectors on the back of the rickshaw/pedicab,
• to have valid insurance with a minimum coverage of two (2) million dollars,
• to carry the licence issued by the Town with them on the rickshaw/pedicab,
• to provide proof of a clear criminal record check and clear driving record to the Town,
• to operate on highways and not sidewalks, beaches or in public parks where vehicular traffic is not allowed, and
• to make sure you don't carry passengers between sunset and sunrise.

There are more requirements. You can look at the Rickshaw and Pedicab License By-Law for more information.

There is a licencing fee. Please contact the Town Clerk to discuss licensing.

Sign permits

Signs are a great way to communicate. 

You can look at the Sign By-Law and the Election Sign Policy for more information.  Unless another contact is given with the information about signs, contact the Town Clerk for more information on signs.

Taxi licences

A taxicab is any passenger motor vehicle regularly used for hire to take a person from place to place for a fee.

A taxicab is not:

• a bus, a rickshaw, a pedicab, a food delivery service; or
• a vehicle owned by a business whose main business is not the conveyance of passengers.

In order to get and keep a taxi license you need:

• to have your drivers licensed by the Town,
• to have the word taxi displayed on the vehicle in a visible location,
• to have the Town issued license plate on the rear bumper of the vehicle,
• to have drivers who hold valid driver's licenses issued by the Province of Ontario,
• to carry an insurance policy with at least five million dollars ($5,000,000) coverage, 
• to accept passengers with disabilities and not charge them more than you would charge a passenger without disabilities,
• to have a vehicle equipped to carry accessibility devices for passengers (wheelchairs, rollators), and
• to maintain a log of complaints and the resolutions to the complaints and show these to the Town if and when required.

There are more requirements for taxi operators and owners.  You can look at the Taxi Licence By-Law for more information.

Please contact the Town Clerk to apply for a licence.