Before you open your business – particularly BEFORE you sign a lease or buy a property – you need to make sure your type of business can operate at that location.
How do you determine if your business can operate at a specific address?
You need to apply for a Zoning Verification will provide you with the required documentation to:
Why is it important to get a Zoning Verification from the City before purchasing or leasing?
You want to be sure the business that you will be opening is permitted before you make a financial investment. Time is money for businesses and you want to know how long it might take and how much money it might cost before you open or expand your business.
What if you’re just checking out a few locations do you have to apply for a Zoning Verification for each address?
If you are just in the research stage and want to know if your potential business would work in a few different locations you can visit the staff at the One-Stop for Business on the ground floor of City Hall. You can also call them at 905-540-6400. Once you decide on a location you will need to apply for a Zoning Verification as this:
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is the legal documentation you will need to open your business;
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a requirement to get your business licensed (if required);
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and if you intend on making changes to your property a Zoning Verification is required as part of the building permit process.
What is the purpose of filling out a Zoning Verification?
To you know if your business is permitted in a particular location and what other requirements your business may require - such as parking requirements or how far they need to be set back from the street/road. Zoning verifications/Property Reports will provide you with extensive Zoning By-law related information specific to the property, including but not limited to: the last recognized use, applicable zoning district information, identification of non-compliant zoning bylaw requirements, previous site specific approvals, and outstanding enforcement orders or notices associated with the property.
What types of information should a business owner provide in the application form?
Why is it important to include all of these details?
The more specific the request; the more specific and detailed the response you will receive back. For example, if you want to open an office you should be specific as to what type of office – is it legal, consulting, health etc. because they are different requirements you will need to meet and these will be listed in the response you get back. Another example would be a restaurant. There are different requirements for take-out counters versus restaurants with drive throughs versus eat-in restaurants etc. Depending on the type of restaurant and the capacity (i.e. number of seats in your restaurant) will potentially impact the number of parking spaces you will need. It’s not enough just to know if the zoning will permit your potential business you need to make sure the location and property type will meet the regulations.
How long does it take to receive a response and what is the cost?
It will take two - ten business days depending on if you prefer regular or express service. The cost depends on the type of building:
1. Single or Two Family Dwelling, or Townhouses
Regular Service $103.00
Express Service $156.00
2. Mixed-Use, Non-Residential, and Multi-Residential
Regular Service $210.00
Express Service $317.00
How do I apply for a Zoning Verification?
We recommend that businesses visit City Hall because staff can help walk you through the process and help you guide you through the form. Businesses can visit the One-Stop for Business on the ground floor or visit staff in Building Services on the 3rd floor. Businesses can also fill out an application Zoning Verification online form. (Reminder: be as specific about your business as you can.)
You can also download a printable Zoning Verification Application. Applications can be submitted to:
Building Services Division
City Hall
71 Main Street West, 3rd Floor
L8P 4Y5
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept Cash, Cheques, and Interac Direct Payment when paying at City Hall and VISA or MasterCard if you are paying online.
Where can you find other resources to help small businesses open and expand?
Visit our One Stop for Businesses webpage.
*Please Note: Documents are provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. If you do not already have the Acrobat Reader installed, please visit the Adobe Web Site and download this free reader application. If you are experiencing difficulty opening the PDF files, right click on the linked text and select open in new window.