Business Name Registration

Registration is mandatory if the name of your business does not match the name on your birth certificate (i.e., “John Smith Consulting” must be registered). Clients can register or renew a sole proprietorship and general and limited partnerships using the Ontario Business Connects on-line business registration computer located at VBEC.

The on-line business registration computer can be accessed at VBEC Monday to Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To book an appointment, please call (905) 417-0412.

The cost for registration is $60.00 and $8.00 for each name search, plus a $10.00 administration fee. Business registrations are valid for a 5 year period, and must be renewed thereafter. Note that sole proprietorship or partnership registration does not guarantee exclusivity of a business name. Most banks will require proof of registration prior to opening a business bank account.

Registration of a corporation is more complicated and expensive. It is usually completed with the assistance of a lawyer. To incorporate a business, articles of incorporation can be filed at the Ministry of Government Services, 375 University Avenue, 2^nd Floor, Toronto (walk-in) or 393 University Avenue, Suite 200, Toronto, M5G 2M2 (mailing address) (416) 314-8880.  Costs for incorporation start at $330.00. Remember you can register a provincial corporation if you wish to operate primarily in one province, or a federal corporation if you which to operate in a number of provinces......- Back to top -

Operating Licenses (Municipal)

Within York Region licenses are required for most types of business. Municipal registration procedures may differ from city to city or outside of York Region. So contact the Clerk’s Department for the city your business is located in for licensing information. Costs for licenses vary by category and municipality.      - Back to top -

Operating Licenses (Provincial)

The Business Practices Act requires drug, forestry, motor vehicle, real estate, travel, day-care, bingo halls, liquor sales, gas stations, transportation businesses to obtain special permits.  Contact the Ministry of Government Services at (416) 314-8880 or 1 (800) 268-1142 for details.      - Back to top -

Location and Zoning By-laws (Municipal)

Municipalities often place restrictions on the location of certain types of business activity.  Businesses should ensure current zoning regulations allow operations in their chosen location.  Contact the Zoning Department in the municipal where you will be opening your business for more information.      - Back to top -

Import and Export

At 1 Front Street West, Toronto (Main Floor) you will find Canada Customs & Excise quota and tariff information, and advice on obtaining an importers permit. Call (416) 973-8022, (416) 973-7577 or 1 (800) 461-9999. Contact Info Export (an exporting help centre) at 1 (800) 267-8376 for information on export programs, publications and documentation procedures.      - Back to top -

P.S.T - (Vendor’s Permit/Retail Sales Tax)

This permit is for collection and remittance of Ontario's Provincial Sales Tax, which is applicable to most retail goods and some services. There is no charge for the permit.

You can apply for a Vendor’s Permit for a sole proprietor or general partnership at the same time as registering for a Master Business Licence via the Ontario Business Connects workstation located at VBEC.

If the business is already registered, a P.S.T. (Vendor’s Permit) can be obtained by completing an application (also available at VBEC) and mailing it into, or visiting or calling the Retail Sales Tax Office, 5 Parkhome Avenue, 2^nd Floor Toronto, (416) 222-3226 or 1 (800) 268-8852.      - Back to top -

G.S.T - (Goods and Services Tax)

Most businesses are required to collect and remit this federal tax. In general, basic groceries, agricultural products, medical goods, and exports are zero-rated, and some services are zero exempt. As well, business with annual sales of less than $30,000 (in four consecutive quarters) can choose not to register to collect the tax. There is no charge for the permit.

For a business registered as a sole proprietor or general partnership, a G.S.T. number can be obtained by calling or visiting the Revenue Canada, GST District Office, 5001 Yonge Street, 7^th Floor, North York, (416) 221-5695. Incorporated business must visit this office with articles of incorporation.      - Back to top -

The Business Number (Government of Canada)

The Business Number (BN) is a new numbering system that replaces the multiple numbers you use to deal with the federal government. Your business' single BN includes Canada Customs and Revenue Agency's (CCRA) four major business accounts – corporate income tax, import/export, payroll deductions, & G.S.T.    - Back to top -

If You Have Employees

You are required to comply with all employment regulations as outlined by Revenue Canada, the Employment Standards Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Acts, and (for over 10 employees) the Pay Equity Act. To register as an employer, you should request a “Small Business Employer’s Kit” which is available from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA). It contains rates for all of the payroll deductions: Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance Contribution (EIC), Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), and Employee Income Tax Deductions.

If you have employees or are planning to hire them, you must also pay provincial Employer’s Health Tax (EHT). It is calculated as a percentage of you payroll expense, regardless of age or of hours worked by your employees. Your name is automatically forwarded to the EHT office once you have registered with Payroll Deductions/Canada Customs and Revenue agency. If your income from self-employment earnings is over $400,000, then you are also required to pay EHT.

Employers' Health Tax Branch

In order to receive you registration number contact the Ontario Ministry of Finance at:

Employers East of Yonge Street, 1 (800) 265-9005

Employers West of Yonge Street, 1 (800) 615-9911

Workers Compensation and Employer Health Tax registrations can also be completed on the Ontario Business Connects workstation located at VBEC.      -Back to top-

Employment Standards

Contact the Ministry of Labour for information regarding employment standards, and for Occupational Health & Safety.      - Back to top -

Building Construction/Alteration

New construction and alterations to buildings often require a building permit. Applications can be obtained through the municipal department of buildings.      - Back to top -

Realty and Business Taxes

Upon change of ownership or tenancy of a business, or commencement of new business, contact the municipal department of finance.      - Back to top -

Health Inspection

Various types of businesses are subject to a health inspection, including: bake shop, bakery, banquet facilities, beverage room, bottling plant, cafeteria, cannery, catering vehicle, cocktail bar, commissary, dining room (i.e., hotel), food depot, food processing plant, food store (convenience), food take-out, food vending facilities, free standing meat processing plant, ice cream plant, ice cream vendor, ice manufacturing plant or unit, locker plant, milk depot, milk pasteurization plant, milk products plant, mobile (food preparation premises), private club, refreshment stand, restaurant, serving kitchen, supermarket, yogurt stand, among others. 

For further information contact the York Region Public Health Department, Health Inspection Division. - Back to top -

Fire Prevention, Inspections and Regulations

Each municipal fire department is responsible for ensuring that all buildings within their jurisdiction meet the Ontario Fire Code. The fire department comments on all building permits submitted for renovations and alterations, and undertakes inspections of work upon completion. The fire department’s “Fire Prevention Program” provides services to the business community which include fire extinguisher training for employees, and presentations about fire prevention.  For further information, contact your municipal fire department.      - Back to top -

Home-Based Business

The regulation of a home-based business varies from one municipality to another. For further information, contact the Zoning Department in the municipality where you live and will be operating your business.      - Back to top -

Home Daycares

The establishment and operation of a home daycare is legislated by the Day Nurseries Act.  All home daycares must operate with a license from the Ministry of Community and Social Services. 

A “day nursery,” as defined by the Ac,t is a place that receives more than five children, who are not of common parentage, primarily for the purpose of temporary care or guidance for a continuous period not exceeding 24 hours. 

Where care is provided for five or fewer children, a day nursery licence is not required. For further information, concerning regulations and guidelines about the Day Nurseries Act, visit VBEC. - Back to top -

Occupancy Permits

Occupancy permits are required when a change in the use of a building occurs. For further information on when an occupancy permit is needed, contact the building standards department of the municipality your business is located.      - Back to top -

Plumbing Permit

Where construction involves the installation or alteration to drains, sewers, plumbing fixtures or water distribution piping, a plumbing permit is required from the Plumbing Inspection Division of the York Region Public Health Department.      - Back to top -

Sign By-law

By-laws regulate signs and other advertising devices in various municipalities.  For most businesses, a permit is required with respect to signage. The municipal by-law will detail the exact provisions governing the usage of signs. For further information, contact the Clerk’s Department of the municipality where your business is located.    - Back to top -

Zoning By-laws

Zoning by-laws divide cities into zones and in each zone, a specific use of land, buildings and structures is permitted, to the exclusion of all other uses. The zoning by-law will also regulate the manner in which permitted uses may be developed, providing for such things as minimum lot frontages, height of buildings and so forth. For further information regarding zoning, contact the building standards department of the municipality where your business is to be located.
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