New Business Licence By-law Background
Proposed New Business Licence Update
October 2, 2009
Notice of New Business Licence By-law Passing in Guelph Tribune
September 28, 2009
New Business Licence approved by Council
July 13, 2009
Finance, Administration and Corporate Services Committee Meeting
Finance, Administration and Corporate Services Committee Report – June 9, 2009
Spreadsheet of current and proposed fees with 20% cost recovery
June 9, 2009
Finance, Administration and Corporate Services Committee Meeting - The FACS Committee deferred the June 9 Report to the Finance, Administration and Corporate Services Committee meeting on July 13, requesting that City of Guelph staff report back with overhead recoveries information.
June 26, 2009 – Notice of Council’s intention to pass a new Business Licence By-law Advertisement in the Guelph Tribune
Proposed New Business Licence Bylaw Fees and Categories
Finance, Administration and Corporate Services Committee Report – June 9, 2009
May 22, 2009 – Notice of Council’s intention to pass a new Business Licencing By-law advertisement in the Guelph Tribune.
The current City of Guelph Business Licence bylaw, passed in 2004, has undergone a review process. As a result, a number of proposed changes have been developed by City staff which may result in a new by-law.
The City of Guelph is now looking to interested stakeholders to provide comments and feedback on the proposed changes, presented at an open house on May 7. The proposed changes are outlined in the Open House Information Posters and Open House Presentation links available at the bottom of this page. If you would like to provide comments, please e-mail them by May 14 to either tina.agnello@guelph.ca or jennifer.jacobi@guelph.ca.
May 7, 2009 – Open House
Business owners and interested stakeholders were invited to attend an open house on May 7, to learn about the proposed changes to the current Business Licence By-law and provide feedback.
At the open house, City staff discussed the following:
- Changing the number of business categories to be licensed in future
- Introducing new conditions and deleting some conditions for the proposed remaining categories
- Introducing a two-step application process
- Introducing a new fee structure and options for future fee schedule implementation
Recommendations for a new Business Licence By-law will be brought forward to the Finance Administration Community Services Committee on June 9 and is tentatively planned to go to Council on June 22 for approval. The new Business Licence By-law is proposed to be in effect September 2009.
For more information
Jennifer Jacobi
Licensing Coordinator
Clerk’s Office
T 519-822-1260 x 2551
E jennifer.jacobi@guelph.ca
Background
In 2004 Council passed the current business licensing bylaw (2004)-17551.
On January 1, 2007, Bill 130, the Municipal Statute Law Amendment Act, came into force and effect which gave more discretion regarding the provisions pertaining to business licensing.
The amended act gave municipalities broader licensing and enforcement powers. Specifically, municipalities were no longer limited regarding the reasons for licensing which were as follows:
- health & safety
- consumer protection
- nuisance control.
As a result, Council approved a recommendation On October 15, 2007 to reflect that the purpose for licensing businesses is primarily for the health, safety and well-being of the public, where there is a municipal interest that is not otherwise legislated. Examples of businesses meeting these purposes are establishments where food is prepared or sold, or where large assemblies are inherent in the business. These are cases where there is a greater interest in health, sanitation, and safety where a higher degree of inspections is warranted.
Staff initiated a review of the business license bylaw, accordingly, to conform to the new reasons for licensing. Concurrently, a service review was conducted which resulted in a consolidation of bylaw enforcement including the enforcement of the business licensing bylaw.
Supporting documents
Business Licence Bylaw (2004) – 17551
Finance, Administration and Corporate Services Committee Report Oct 3, 2007 – Bill 130 Amendments to Municipal Act affecting business licensing
Finance, Administration and Corporate Services Committee Report April 14, 2009 – Business Licence By-law Review Process
New Business Licensing By-law Open House Advertisement in Guelph Tribune April 27 and June 1, 2009
Letter to Business Licensees about Open House for new Business Licence By-law dated April 24, 2009
Business License By-law Open House Poster
Business License By-law Open House Presentation
Business License By-law Open House Comment Sheet
Proposed New Business Licence Bylaw Fees and Categories
Notice of Council intention to amend Business Licence By-law (2009) -18855
Other Government Agencies
Liquor Licences
Citizens wishing to operate establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold and/or consumed must contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for approval.
Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
20 Dundas Street West, Seventh Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2N6
T 416-326-8700 or toll free at 1-800-522-2876
W www.agco.on.ca
Registration of a Name And Vendors Permits
Persons wishing to operate a business using a name other than the owner’s name or to add “and Company” must register the name of the business. This can be accomplished by contacting the Information Services, Companies Branch, Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations in Toronto or completing the forms at the Ontario Business Registration Access Computer Workstation at Ministry of Revenue Office in Guelph or Kitchener. Further information is available at one of the following:
Registration for Sole Proprietorship and Partnerships
Information Services, Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, Companies Branch
393 University Avenue, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M2
T 416-314-8880
W www.ccr.gov.on.ca
OR
Ministry of Finance, District Tax Office
305 King Street West, First Floor
Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 1B9
T 519-576-8400 or 1-800-265-2303
Registration for Incorporation
Corporate Services Section
Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, Companies Branch
393 University Avenue, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M2
T 416-314-8880
W www.ccr.gov.on.ca
Vendors Permit
Number given to business (Registration Number) because of the collection and charging of Provincial Sales Tax. (Further information available at the offices listed above).
Registration For Goods And Services (GST) Tax Number
You must register for the GST number if you are a person, business or organization operating in Canada with worldwide revenues from taxable supplies of goods and services over $30,000 in any four consecutive calendar quarters.
For further information please contact:
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
166 Frederick Street
Kitchener, ON, N2G 4N1
Income Tax: 1-800-959-8281
GST and Payroll: 1-800-959-5525
Importing And Exporting
Information regarding importing and exporting products is available by contacting:
Canada Border Services Agency
T 1-800-461-9999
W www.cbsa.gc.ca
Guelph-Wellington Business Enterprise Centre
For information regarding starting your own small business contact:
401-42 Wyndham Street North
Guelph, Ontario, N1H 4E6
T 519-826-4701
W guelphbusiness.com
