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 2023 to assist businesses during COVID-19. However, new businesses and businesses that require an annual licence renewal are still required to apply for a 2023 business licence from the Town of Fort Erie as in the past.
Short-Term Rental Licencing
Effective May 8, 2023 the Short-Term Rental Moratorium will be lifted at 8:30 a.m, EDT
At the Regular Council meeting held on April 24, 2023, Council passed a resolution to lift the Short-Term Rental (STR) Licencing moratorium effective May 8, 2023.
On Monday, May 8, 2023 starting at 8:30 a.m. EDT, new applications will be received, with the applicable documents, online only.
Applications will be processed on a first-come, first- serve basis.
Early submissions prior to May 8, 2023 will not be accepted.
A maximum of 250 Short-Term Rental Licences can be issued in Fort Erie annually. Given the number of existing licences already issued, there will be approximately 55 remaining licences available for 2023 which will be subject the current By-law: Short-Term Rental By-law
Short-Term Rental Application Requirements:
1. Short-Term Rental Information: Full address, number of legal parking spaces, number of bedrooms and if application is for entire dwelling or bedroom rental only.
2. Owner/Corporation Information: Name of owner(s) and full contact information. (Name, mailing address, telephone and cell number and email address).
3. Applicant/Operator Information: Applicant/Operator full contact information (name, mailing address, telephone and cell number and email address).
4. Responsible Local Contact Person: Provide full contact information for the responsible local contact person (Local contact person shall be at the premises within 30 minutes of contact).
5. Additional Questions:
a. Are you aware of any outstanding Fire Orders?
b. Are you aware of any Property Orders?
c. Are you aware of any Building Permits?
d. Have you had any interior renovations in the last 10 years? If yes, what was the nature of the renovations?
6. Document Checklist:
- Copy of transfer/deed for ownership confirmation
- Proof of insurance for Short-Term Rental use (minimum liability coverage $2M)
- Fire Evacuation Plan
- Owner Consent Form (if applicable)
- Certificate of proof that the well water is safe to drink (if applicable)
- Acknowledgement by the Region of Niagara that the dwelling has a functioning septic system as of the date of the first rental application (if applicable). Region Contact 905-980-6000 ext. 3358.
The Short-term Rental Land Use Study is ongoing for more information on the Land Use Study, please click here.
Short-Term Rental licences are non-transferrable.
Short-Term Rentals in Fort Erie
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 initiative includes required licensing and enhanced by-law enforcement for regulatory items (i.e. health and safety, outdoor sleeping accommodations and local contact person).
- Town of Fort Erie Short-Term Rental Licence Application Form
- Short Term Rental By-law, Schedule 13 and Penalties
- Schedule 13 - Short-Term Rental Fire Evacuation Plan
- Short-Term Rentals Guest Rules
Learn more about Short-Term Rentals
To renew your Short-Term Rental licence online, please click here: https://www.forterie.ca/resource/eservicesLicenseSTR.xsp
Business Licencing
A business licence 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.
If applying for a Restaurant/Fresh Food, Personal service (such as manicure, hair or barbering, tattoo), Public pool, Public spa/hot tub, please contact Niagara Region Public Health for an inspection at the time of submitting an application.
- Town of Fort Erie Business Licence Application Form
- Regulations for establishing a new business in the Town of Fort Erie
- Business Licencing By-law
To apply for a new, or renew an existing, Business License online please click here: https://www.forterie.ca/resource/eservicesLicenseBusiness.xsp
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, Penalties
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rental Fire Evacuation Plan
- Schedule 13 - Short Term Rentals Guest Rules
- Sale and Use of Fireworks - By-law No. 103-2020
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