Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a municipal business Licence?

Municipal business Licences protect the health and safety of the public by discouraging questionable business practices and reducing conflicts between businesses and the community.

Where can I apply for a business Licence?

You can apply for a business licence, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (during the summer) and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m (after Labour Day), at the By-law Licensing Counters at the following locations:

Ben Franklin Place
101 Centrepointe Dr., 3rd Floor
Nepean, ON K2G 5K7

After I apply for a business Licence, how long must I wait before my Licence is issued?

The review process varies based on the information provided. In most cases, Licences can be issued within six weeks of receiving the application; some Licences are even issued within minutes. However, you may experience a delay if you did not submit enough information or if you failed to meet some of the Licencing requirements.

How much does a business Licence cost?

Licencing and processing fees vary throughout each community.

Will I have to renew my Licence each year?

Most Licences have an annual expiry date. You will be notified by mail of your approaching expiry date. Upon notification, you should promptly renew your Licence to avoid a late fee.

Now that the Ottawa-Carleton region has been amalgamated into one city, what regulations should I follow?

Until City Council has completed harmonizing the Licencing by-laws, some by-laws from former municipalities will remain in effect.

How do I register a new business?

There are several ways that you can register a new business:

Visit the Ministry of Government Services Web site for direction on starting a new business and how you can register a new business.
The Entrepreneurship Centre is dedicated to helping Ottawa entrepreneurs make educated decisions about starting and growing their businesses. For information on registering your new business visit the Entrepreneurship Centre located on the ground floor at City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. West, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., call 613-560-6081 or visit the Entrepreneurship Centre Web site.
An Ontario Business Connects (OBC) self-serve business registration workstation where you can electronically register a business name, search or renew a business name, and complete applications for retail sales tax, employer health tax and workers' compensation is located at the Nepean Centrepointe branch of the Ottawa Public Library (OPL). The Nepean Centrepointe branch is located at 101 Centrepointe Dr. and the OBC workstation hours of operation are Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information on the OBC workstation and its' services visit the OPL Web site or call 613-580-2714 (TTY: 613-580-2715).
Visit the Ministry of Government Services Web site for the locations of other OBC self-serve business registration workstations in Ottawa.

How do I close a business?

Again, you must contact the Ministry of Government Services for more information on closing your business or dissolving your corporation .

Main Menu