The City of Oshawa is seeking input regarding the modernization review of the City’s Business Licensing By-law.

The Business Licensing By-law licenses, regulates and governs eighteen (18) general classifications of businesses operating in Oshawa with the primary goals of ensuring health and safety and consumer protection. These goals are accomplished by ensuring that all requirements outlined in the Business Licensing By-law, including compliance with relevant municipal by-laws and provincial legislation, are met and maintained through annual approvals and inspections, specific to each business class.

In February 2023, Council directed staff to undertake a public and industry consultation regarding a modernization review of the Business Licensing By-law and report back with findings on the potential impacts.

This comprehensive modernization review will identify opportunities to enhance the Business Licensing By-law while adapting to new business processes, technology and market trends. Feedback from the public and business community is critical to informing any proposed updates to the Business Licensing By-law.

The modernization review of the Business Licensing By-law does not include areas of the By-law or business classes, which have recently or are currently being reviewed under a separate initiative. The business classes not included in this review are Short Term Rental Operators, Residential Rental Units, Lodging Houses, Vehicles for Hire, Payday Loan Establishments and Pet Stores.

Have your Say

Community members are invited to participate in one of three (3) ways:

• Complete the appropriate feedback form ( Form A for the General Public or Form B for the Business Community) here on Connect Oshawa or on paper at Service Oshawa, located at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.);
• Discuss the topic in-person with City staff at a Business Licensing By-Law Review community engagement table on:
  1. Thursday, July 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Delpark Homes Centre (1661 Harmony Rd. N.);
  2. Thursday, August 17 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeview Park (55 Lakeview Park Ave., east of the Jubilee Pavillion). Rain location: Guy House, Oshawa Museum (1450 Simcoe St S.);
  3. Wednesday, September 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at CORE21 (21 Simcoe St. S.); or

• Attend a Special Meeting of the Safety and Facilities Services Committee Thursday, September 21 at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall (50 Centre St. S.). Individuals wishing to address the Committee must send an email to clerks@oshawa.ca no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20.

Feedback will be received until noon Wednesday, September 27 and will help inform proposed updates to the Business Licensing By-law that will be presented to the Safety and Facilities Services Committee.

Help Shape Oshawa! You could win a $25 Oshawa Centre gift card

As part of the City of Oshawa’s Help Shape Oshawa Open House in September, those who complete a feedback form between Wednesday, September 20 and Friday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m. will have the chance to win one of ten $25 gift cards for the Oshawa Centre. Full prize conditions and details are available at Oshawa.ca/ShapeOshawa.