Business licensing

You may need to apply for a business operating licence if you plan to operate a business in Mississauga.

If your business has more than one location, you’ll need to apply for a separate licence for each location. If you already have a business operating licence, it needs to be renewed annually.

Before you sign a lease or buy a commercial property for your business, you’ll need to make sure that the property is zoned to permit your business activity.

If you’re taking over an existing business in a fixed location, you’ll need to confirm that the property’s Zoning Certificate of Occupancy is still valid.

Licences for fixed location businesses

If you plan to start a new business, you may need to apply for operating licence if your business activity includes any of the following:

Adult bookstore
Adult entertainment business
Amusement arcade
Auto service station
Billiard parlour
Body rub business owner
Breeding or boarding kennel
Clothing donation drop box
Fireworks sales (also requires a fire prevention inspection and an approval letter)
Medical marihuana production facility
Methadone clinic or pharmacy
Night club
Parking lot
Pawnbroker
Personal services setting
Pet Shop
Public hall
Restaurant or retail food premises (eatery)
Salvage yard
Second hand goods shop
Tanning facility
Tobacco sales
Vehicle pound facility

Licences for other types of businesses

If you plan to start a new business, you may need to apply for operating licence if your business activity includes any of the following:

Auctioneer
Body rub attendant
Carnival or circus
Second hand goods shop employee
Trader / Hawker peddler

Applicants must apply in person, except for a carnival or circus licence, which can be applied for by an authorized agent.

Business licence requirements

Depending on the kind of business you’re running, you’ll need different supporting documents and approvals. These include (but are not limited to):

Articles of incorporation/business name registration or franchise agreement
A copy of business registration documents
A Zoning Certificate of Occupancy

For the specific documents required for your business check the Business Licence Requirements Chart.

Depending on the nature of your business, inspections and approvals of your location may be required. These include:

Health inspections from the Region of Peel
Fire inspections from Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services
Approval for minor variances from the Committee of Adjustment

Apply for a licence in person

A business owner or director can provide an authorization letter for an agent to complete and submit an application on their behalf.

Complete the Business Licence Application
Book an appointment to visit the Compliance and Licensing Enforcement office located at 300 City Centre Drive, ground floor
Bring your application and supporting documents to your appointment and pay your licence fees

You’ll only be admitted to the building if you have a scheduled appointment. Only one person may attend the appointment. If you’re late by 10 minutes or more, your appointment will be cancelled and you’ll need to reschedule.

If all of the requirements are met and your documents are in order, your licence will be issued right away.

Apply for a licence online

Only licenses for short term accommodations are available online at this time.

Renew your licence

Complete sections 1, 2, 3 and 5 of the Business Licence Application Form.

Submit your application and supporting documents and pay your licence fees in person or by mail to the following address:

Compliance and Licensing Enforcement
300 City Centre Drive, ground floor
Mississauga, ON L5B 3C1

If your licence has already expired, it cannot be renewed. You will need to apply for a new licence.

Contact us

If you have any questions about licensing your business, call 311 (905-615-4311 outside City limits) or contact us online.