Licensing

The City issues licenses for stationary businesses and some mobile businesses, that fall into the categories below.

• Adult Entertainment
• Adult Novelty Retail
• Arcade
• Bakeshop
• Barbershop (Mobile and Non-Mobile)
• Body Piercing (Mobile and Non-Mobile)
• Catering
• Confections
• Auto Sales
• Esthetics (Mobile and Non-Mobile)
• Fireworks Retail
• Food Truck
• Fresh Meat/Deli
• Hair/Beauty Salon (Mobile and Non-Mobile)
• Ice Cream/Refreshment Vehicles
• Ice Cream Sales
• Outdoor Vendor (Food)
• Outdoor Vendor (Other)
• Personal Wellness
• Public Hall (capacity of 100 persons or greater)
• Repair (Automotive and Body)
• Restaurant
• Retail Exhibit Show
• Service Station
• Tattoo Parlour (Mobile and Non-Mobile)
• Temporary Sales 

Visit our Online Applications Portal to apply.

 To apply for a business license, you need the following:

• Certificate of Articles of Incorporation, Master Business License OR Certificate of a Business Name Registration
  (only 1 of these is required) 
• Certificate of Insurance (COI)
  • Showing a minimum $2,000,000 commercial general liability
  • List the City of Cambridge as an additional insured (50 Dickson St, Cambridge ON N1R 5W8)
• Fire Department sign off (fee required)
• A criminal record check, if required
• Additional documents may be required depending on the type of business license being applied for
• Public Health report, depending on your type of business
• Licensing fee

When you apply for a business license, you must first meet all building, zoning and fire department regulations. The Waterloo Regional Health Unit must also approve some specialized business, such as:

• Hair salons
• Aestheticians
• Businesses where food products are prepared or sold
• Tattoo parlours
• Refreshment canteen, ice cream and food truck vehicles

Licensing fees offset the cost of the related enforcement and inspection programs. The cost of administering and enforcing licensing regulations should be covered by the regulated trades and not the public.

Fees vary by type of business license.

City of Cambridge business licenses expire each year on March 31st. In early March you will receive a renewal email which outlines the online renewal process and the amount to renew your license.

Please ensure you follow the instructions of this renewal email and upload your Certificate of Insurance (COI) (showing 2 million in general liability and the City of Cambridge listed as an additional insurer), as well as your Master Business License OR Certificate of Articles of Incorporation.

Payments can be made online through the portal.

If you choose to come into the office, to make payment, the City Clerk's office accepts payments made by cash, cheque, visa, Mastercard or debit card.

What does the licensing do?

We ensure that businesses we license are safe, carry adequate insurance and have been properly inspected in order to create a minimal risk to the public. 

What types of businesses do we license?

Many businesses require licenses. Specifically, businesses that could potentially harm an individual or the community. The most common businesses licensed are; restaurants, food trucks, public garages, personal wellness and grooming and tattoo parlours.

What types of businesses do we not license?

We do not currently license renovation, landscaping or cleaning contractors. 

How long will it take to get my business licensed?

It depends on many factors that also include a number of department sign offs and inspections. We recommend starting the application online a minimum of 3 weeks before your proposed opening.

What documents should I have ready for my Municipal Business License Application?

Applicants will need either their Certificate of Articles of Incorporation, Master Business License OR Certificate of a Business Name Registration (only 1 of these is required). You will need your COI (certificate of insurance) showing a minimum $2,000,000 commercial general liability and the City of Cambridge listed as an additional insured. Additional documents will be required depending on the type of business license.

Do I need a municipal business license before opening?

Yes. We suggest starting the online application a minimum of 3 weeks before your proposed opening.

What do need in order to start a business?

This information is available from the Small Business Center. Please fill out the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre Intake Form or contact our Economic Development Team at (519) 740-4685 ext 4719 to book an appointment.

Can I meet with someone about a municipal business license?

We offer 30-minute appointments in-person for the following inquiries:

1. New Business License Consultation
2. Business License Transfer
3. Lottery License Consultation
4. Liquor License Consultation
5. Outdated License Renewals

Should I ensure that a business is licensed before using their services?

Yes, if you are eating at a restaurant, getting a tattoo, hiring a food truck for an event or taking your car for an oil change, consider asking the owner or manager if they have a municipal business license.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) issues liquor licenses for businesses in Ontario.  Information about applying for a liquor license can be found on their website. AGCO New Applications  

In order to complete your liquor license application with the AGCO, you are required to provide signed approval from the City of Cambridge. 

In order to do so, a completed Liquor License Package needs to be submitted to the Business Licensing Compliance Officer with payment. 

The package MUST include all of the following:

• Municipal Information Form filled out and ready to be signed by the City Clerk or designate
• Agency Letter of Approvals signed by each of the following:

  • City of Cambridge Building Department 519-623-1340 (fee required)

  • City of Cambridge Fire Prevention 519-621-6001 ext. 2370 (fee required)

  • Region of Waterloo Public Health 519-575-4400 (no fee required)

Special occasion permit or a temporary liquor license:

Visit the AGCO website for information about a special occasion permit or a temporary liquor license extension. You require Council's approval in order to apply for a Special Occasion Permit for the sale and service of alcohol at special occasions, such as a public event. Contact us for more information.

The AGCO authorizes the City of Cambridge to provide local businesses with lottery and gaming licenses. The City ensures all legal requirements, including terms and conditions to the licenses, are met by lottery licensees and any gaming suppliers used by charities.

The Criminal Code of Canada defines what types of gaming activities are illegal in Canada, and the provinces are responsible for operating, licensing and regulating legal forms of gaming.

Bingo Hall Operator - You must register with the AGCO to own or operate a bingo hall in Ontario.

Charitable Gaming - The City of Cambridge issues licenses for some types of lottery and gaming events for eligible charitable, religious and non-profit organizations. Eligible organizations must:

• Have been in existence for at least one year
• Provide charitable community services consistent with a primary object and purpose of the organization for at least one year
• Demonstrate that it is established to provide charitable services in the City of Cambridge
• Use proceeds for charitable purposes that benefit Cambridge and its residents
• Assume full responsibility for the conduct and management of its lottery events

Learn how to register as a charity or non-profit organization.

Raffle Lottery - A raffle lottery involves selling tickets for a chance to win prizes, including 50/50 draws, elimination draws and calendar draws. Raffle lottery licenses are available for total prizes of $50,000 or less.

Break Open Ticket - A Break Open Ticket (also known as Nevada tickets, pull tabs or BOTs) is a cardboard device with a cover or window tabs that break or open to reveal symbols behind the cover. The back of the ticket specifies a winning combination of symbols.

Electronic Bingo - The AGCO introduced Electronic Bingo Centres in 2013. This program is not yet available to all eligible organizations, in accordance with Ontario Lottery Gaming (OLG) requirements. Contact licensing@cambridge.ca for more information about electronic bingo events.

Busker License - Street performers must apply by contacting licensing@cambridge.ca

Food Truck License - Food Trucks must apply for a Food Truck License

Patio Permit Program - The City of Cambridge is providing a streamlined process to accelerate approvals for new or expanded temporary outdoor private and sidewalk patios on the City right-of-way. Apply by contacting transportation@cambridge.ca

Adult Entertainment Parlor License - Apply by contacting licensing@cambridge.ca

Charitable BBQs and Events - Application must be made a minimum of 5 business days prior to the event. Applicant must send an email to licensing@cambridge.ca with all the required details of the charitable BBQ including the event date, organization name, charitable details, location of event, and items being sold  There must be a charitable aspect to the BBQ, (e.g. giving away the items for free as part of a larger charitable event or giving the proceeds to a charitable organization). Approval letter will be provided by email and should be kept at the event with the event organizer.

Building Permit - You may need to apply for different types of building permits, depending on your project and the work you need completed.

Sign Permit - Apply for a Sign Permit online. 

Trade Licenses - The City of Cambridge requires all drain layers, drain contractors and backflow prevention testers to be licensed. Contact tradeslicense@cambridge.ca to obtain or renew your license.

Fire and open-air burning permits - The City of Cambridge requires you to apply for a burn permit for any open air burning not related to cooking on a grill or barbeque.

Publication distribution box permit - To apply for a permit for a publication distribution box, email transportation@cambridge.ca

Register as a charity or non-profit - You apply to register a charity or non-profit organization through Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). After registering your organization, you can apply for a gaming license for charitable events at licensing@cambridge.ca

Register charity tax rebate - Registered charities operating in Cambridge can apply for a property tax rebate.