Apply for a special event licence

A special event could be a community gathering, cultural celebration, social gathering, sporting event, temporary farmers’ market, the grand opening of a business or other similar events.

You need a special event licence in Mississauga if the event:

• Is held on private or public property
• Includes vendors selling any product or service
• Donates the proceeds to charity
• Includes products or services given out for free, but paid for by the event organizer

The event coordinator applies for a special event licence on behalf of every participating vendor. The event coordinator must also ensure that each vendor included on the licence has valid insurance and passes all required inspections.

Vendors who don’t have an annual business licence from the City of Mississauga need a special event licence to participate in a special event.

You must apply for a new licence for each special event.

Requirements

The requirements are listed in the Special event licence application & event organizer participation agreement. They vary depending on the type of vendor and what is being sold or given away.

Vendors can sell or display food or non-food items. They are fee-exempt if they have documentation that they meet one of four scenarios:  

1. They are licensed by the City 
2. They are farmers selling only what they grow in Ontario 
3. They are selling goods made in Ontario and they live in Ontario 
4. They pay Mississauga business taxes for a non-residential business address 

All vendors require a certificate of insurance. 

Food vendors need: 

• TSSA propane inspection 
• Region of Peel health inspection 

Food vendors using a vehicle also need that vehicle’s: 

• Ownership 
• Insurance 
• Safety certificate 

Licence fees

A special event licence fee is $61.74 per vendor or $38.52 for City-affiliated groups. Some vendors are fee-exempt. There are additional fees for events that last more than 5 days.

We can help you calculate the total fees payable.

This licence can’t be renewed.

How to apply

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

To get started, complete your Special Event Licence Application & Event Organizer Participation Agreement, including all the required vendor information.  

In person

1. Book an appointment for a new licence.
2. Bring your application and required documents to your appointment.
3. Pay the licence fees.

By mail

Mail your completed agreement, the required 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

By email

Email your completed agreement and the required documents to licensing@mississauga.ca. We will contact you with the total licence fee and how to pay.

At the event

A Mobile Licensing Enforcement Officer will inspect each vendor and may ask for a copy of all vendor documents to make sure they are properly licensed.

Keep copies of your application documents and the vendor documents with you during the event to avoid the possibility of fines or a vendor being shut down.

Contact us

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