Business Licences
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Town Council approved recommendations from staff to temporarily waive all business licence fees, save and except short-term rentals, for 2021 to assist businesses during COVID-19. However, new businesses and businesses that require an annual licence renewal are still required to apply for a 2021 business licence from the Town of Fort Erie as in the past.
Short-term Rental Licensing
Beginning January 1, 2020, property owners and/or businesses who operate short-term rentals such as Airbnbs will be required to obtain a short-term rental licence. This new initiative is part of a one-year pilot that includes required licensing and enhanced by-law enforcement for regulatory items (i.e. health and safety, outdoor sleeping accommodations and local contact person). Staff will monitor the program and report back to Council at the end of 2020.
- Town of Fort Erie Short Term Rental Licence Application Form
- Short Term Rental By-law
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rentals
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rental Penalties
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rental Fire Safety Plan (occupants 11 or more)
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rental Fire Evacuation Plan (occupants 10 or less)
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rentals Guest Rules
Learn more about Short-term Rentals
Business Licensing
A business license grants the owner the right to start and run a particular type of business in the Town of Fort Erie. It is a type of permit indicating the company has the Town's approval to operate. The Town's by-law enforcement can fine or shut down a business that operates without a license.
- Town of Fort Erie Business Licence Application Form
- Regulations for establishing a new business in the Town of Fort Erie
- Business Licencing By-law
Applications and Information
- Schedule 1 - New Business
- Schedule 2 - Amusement Arcade
- Schedule 3 - Auctioneer's
- Schedule 4 - Bed & Breakfast
- Schedule 4 - Bed & Breakfast Application
- Schedule 5 - Bill Distributors
- Schedule 6 - Hawkers & Pedlars
- Schedule 7 - Pawnbrokers
- Schedule 8 - Refreshment Vehicle, Cart, Cycle
- Schedule 8 - Refreshment Vehicle-Application
- Schedule 9 - Residential Emergency Hostel
- Schedule 9 - Residential Emergency Hostel Application
- Schedule 10 - Restaurant-Fresh Food Establishment
- Schedule 11 - Second Level Lodging
- Schedule 11 - Second Level Lodging Application
- Schedule 12 - Business License By-law Fines
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rentals
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rental Penalties
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rental Fire Safety Plan
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rentals Guest Rules
- Sale and Use of Fireworks - By-law No. 70-09
You may register your business at the Land Registry office in St. Catharines – 905-684-6351.
GST/HST registration – Canada Revenue Agency – 1-800-959-5525
Workers Compensation – 1-800-263-2484