Apply for an adult entertainment establishment operating licence

An adult entertainment business offers services designed to appeal to people’s sexual or erotic interests. You need a licence to run one in Mississauga.

You can apply or renew your licence in person or by mail. You can’t apply online.

Your licence expires annually, one year from the date it’s issued. A renewal notice will be sent to the email address on file. If no email is available, it’ll be mailed to you.

Requirements and fees

An adult entertainment establishment must be in an area zoned permitted use and not located closer than 800 metres measured in a straight line from the nearest part of the building to the lot line of a residential zone.

You must be 18 years of age or older to apply. You also must provide business and personal identification, legal documents and location information.

• Business Licence Application
• Articles of incorporation or a corporate profile report (not required for sole proprietorships)
• Business name registration or franchise agreement
• Government-issued photo identification of the applicant
• Letter of authorization appointing an agent signed by a director or owner to act on their behalf, if required
• A police criminal record check issued by a Canadian police service for each owner, director and partner. It must be issued sixty days before the license application is submitted. Third-party criminal record checks are not accepted.
• Zoning Certificate of Occupancy (a minor variance or building permit may be required)

Additional documents may be requested.

Licence fees

A new licence costs $6,149.32.

A licence renewal costs $6,125.28.

How to apply or renew

You can apply for or renew your licence in person or by mail. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

In person

1. Complete your business licence application and gather the required documents and approvals.
2. Book an appointment for a new licence or a licence renewal.
3. Bring your application and supporting documents to your appointment. The Licensing Permits and Regulatory Services office is at 950 Burnhamthorpe Road West.
4. Pay the licence fees.

By mail

Mail your completed business licence application, the supporting documents and a cheque payable to the City of Mississauga in the amount of the licence fee to:

Licensing, Permits and Regulatory Services
950 Burnhamthorpe Road West
Mississauga, ON L5C 3B4

Contact us

If you have any questions about licensing, call 311 (905-615-4311 outside city limits).