Business Licensing

Complete and submit a Business Licence Application form along with the supporting documents which include:

a. A copy of the Business Registration/Corporate Profile dated within 1 year of application. (If registering a corporation, the operating name must be registered with the Province of Ontario and attached to the Corporation).

b. Zoning Verification Certificate, Zoning Addendum, or building permit number. The Zoning Verification will confirm whether the proposed use is permitted and recognized.

c. Completed Food Premise Questionnaire.

d. Premise Plan, a hand-drawn sketch of the aerial view of the premise, must identify the location of washrooms, entrances/exits, seating, and prep area.

e. Liquor Licence Application (Applicable for Restaurants with Liquor Service applications).

After the licence application is received, the following inspections are required. The Licensing Administrator will circulate the application to the appropriate departments for action on behalf of the applicant.

a. Fire Inspection - Required when applying for a new restaurant take-out, restaurant with seating, or bar/nightclub licence; and every 3 years afterward.

b. Health Inspection - the Public Health Inspector will provide the owner with the “Green Card” if the premises passes the inspection. 

c. Parking Inspection (This inspection is remote and does not require an appointment).

Pay the appropriate license fee including applicable inspection fees. 

Complete all the above steps including submitting the City of Hamilton’s Business Licence Application form along with the supporting documents as well as paying the appropriate licence fee.

Apply for a New Sale Licence or transfer an existing licence to the new business through the AGCO. This is a separate application from the City of Hamilton and takes approximately 8-12 weeks to process. Please visit the AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) at http://www.agco.on.ca for more details.

If an existing licence is not being transferred, complete a Liquor Licence Application through the Business Licensing department.

Please Note: As part of the Liquor Licence Application, a Site Plan is required, which must be completed and stamped by a design professional (BCIN, Architect, or Professional Engineer).

For all inquiries to the AGCO, please contact www.agco.on.ca or 1-800-522-2876.

The City of Hamilton is only the commenting party for all liquor licence. We provide comments on life safety requirements; we do not issue or revoke liquor licenses. The AGCO will not provide a Liquor Licence until they confirm that the City of Hamilton has approved the Liquor Licence municipally. Prior to Licence issuance, all required inspections must be completed and any building permit (if applicable) would be required to be closed by the building inspector.

Once inspections have been completed and passed, all reports will be sent to the Licensing division for a Licensing Administrator to review. They will connect with you on any additional next steps and guide you through the application process to issuance.

Annual Renewal Forms are sent as a courtesy via mail to the address on file one month prior to the renewal date. Ensure renewal/applicable fees are paid on or before the renewal date to avoid applicable late fees and/or closure of the licensing file.

For City of Hamilton licence requirements for other types of food businesses such as Caterer’s, Bar/Night Club, Bakeshop, or Food Truck/Mobile, please visit the Licensing Division on the 1st floor, City Hall, 71 Main Street West, call 905-546-2424 ext. 2782, Option 3, or at licensing@hamilton.ca.

Additionally, download the City of Hamilton Business License Reference Guide. You can also find information regarding how food trucks can operate in City parks by visiting the City of Hamilton Park Permit for Food Service Vehicles.

Low-risk food items are generally considered non-hazardous and do not require time and temperature control. Some examples of low-risk foods include:

• Most breads and buns (without meat, cream filling, etc.)
• Most baked goods (with no custard)
• Chocolate, hard candies, and brittles
• Fudge and toffees
• Coffee beans and tea leaves
• Granola, trail mix, nuts, and seeds
• Cakes (icing that does not require refrigeration), brownies, muffins, and cookies 

While in some municipalities this is the case, in Hamilton the Licensing Administrator will circulate the application to the required departments (Fire, Health) for action on behalf of the applicant.