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London municipal business licences: categories, fees and renewal
London, Ontario, Canada
Check the business use and zoning before leasing a London site. Municipal licensing is separate from Ontario business registration.
Key information
Check the business use and zoning before leasing a London site. Municipal licensing is separate from Ontario business registration. New applications are emailed to licensing@london.ca and expire after 90 days if not completed.
On this page
Complete published 2026 business licence fee table
| Category | 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| Body-rub operator | $150 |
| Body-rub owner | $3,640 |
| Live entertainment operator | $150 |
| Live entertainment owner | $4,668 |
| Automotive service | $243 |
| Consumer fireworks sale | $833 |
| Commercial parking | $267 |
| Contractor | $182 |
| Donation drop boxes | $81 |
| Door-to-door sales | $207 |
| E-cigarette and tobacco | $318 |
| Food premises | $243 |
| Lodging house | $596 |
| Pawnbroker renewal | $160 |
| Payday loans | $448 |
| Personal services | $217 |
| Pet shops | $217 |
| Public hall | $117 |
| Refreshment vehicle category 1 | $256 |
| Refreshment vehicle category 2 | $256 |
| Refreshment vehicle category 3 | $512 |
| Rental unit repair | $614 |
| Seasonal sales 7 days | $637 |
| Seasonal sales 1–3 months | $511 |
| Second-hand goods | $369 |
| Second-hand salvage yard | $369 |
| Short-term accommodation broker | $1,148 |
| Short-term provider renewal | $201 |
| Short-term provider new | $552 |
Sources: Business licences
Key checks at a glance
- Check zoning and inspection needs first
Obtain provincial business registration or articles before the municipal licence application.
- Apply close enough to opening
Complete the correct business application and email it to licensing@london.ca.
- Renewal and public licence search
Renew before March 31 whether or not a reminder arrives.
Sources: Business licences
Check zoning and inspection needs first
Obtain provincial business registration or articles before the municipal licence application. Before signing a lease or buying, contact the Business Hub zoning coordinator at 519-661-2489 extension 5680 or businesshub@london.ca. A proposed use may be prohibited at that address.
Building Services can assess whether proposed changes need a building or change-of-use permit:519-661-4555, building@london.ca. Fire Prevention explains fire inspections at 519-661-4565 or fireforms@london.ca. Food operators should contact Middlesex-London Health Unit at 519-663-5317 or health@mlhu.on.ca. Wastewater questions go to 519-661-2489 extension 6306 or pcpops@london.ca.
Sources: Business licences
Apply close enough to opening
Complete the correct business application and email it to licensing@london.ca. Category-specific documents differ, so ask the Business Hub if a requirement is unclear. Applications remain valid for 90 days; do not apply more than 90 days before planned opening.
After zoning approval, a representative contacts the applicant about required inspections. Issued annual licences expire on March 31 of the following year, regardless of issue date. Fees are not prorated. A licence issued late in the year does not buy a full 12 months.
Sources: Business licences
Renewal and public licence search
Renew before March 31 whether or not a reminder arrives. The city offers renewal by mailed notice and cheque, or its listed payment routes through Licensing. Use the city’s current payment instructions rather than sending payment data to an unverified contact.
The Property Inquiry System shows active municipal business files labelled BL. The main fee table is not every possible licensing program: vehicle-for-hire and rental-unit licences have separate rules, and other categories can have additional by-laws.
Sources: Business licences
Questions and answers
Is an Ontario business registration the same as a city licence?
No. Provincial registration or articles are required before applying for the separate municipal licence.
Source: Business licences
Should I check zoning before signing a lease?
Yes. Contact the Business Hub with the proposed address and use.
Source: Business licences
How long is an application valid?
90 days. The city says not to submit more than 90 days before scheduled opening.
Source: Business licences
Is a late-year licence prorated?
No. Business licence fees are not prorated.
Source: Business licences
What is the 2026 food-premises fee?
$243 in the published table; food inspection and other approvals are separate requirements.
Source: Business licences
What is the 2026 contractor fee?
$182 for the defined licensed contractor category.
Source: Business licences
Do all 29 fee-table rows represent every possible licence?
No. Some programs such as vehicle-for-hire and rental-unit licensing have separate rules and fees.
Source: Business licences
Can the public see whether a business has a licence?
The Property Inquiry System shows active files labelled BL.
Source: Business licences
Do I renew only if a reminder arrives?
No. The owner is responsible for renewing before March 31 regardless of a notice.
Source: Business licences