For details on business licensing call us at 519-332-0330 Ext 3350 or email business@sarnia.ca. IMPORTANT: If your business does not require a municipal business licence, adherence to the Zoning By-Law is still required. For more information, please contact planning@sarnia.ca.
By-Laws
| Adult Entertainment By-Law |
| Body Rub By-Law |
| Business Licensing By-Law and Fine Structure |
| Pawn Shop Licence By-Law |
| Taxi By-Law Vehicle for Hire (Taxi) Rates *By-Law 96 of 2023 Low Speed Vehicle By-Law |
| Short-Term Accommodations By-Law For More Information Visit: Short-Term Accommodations |
| Payday Loan By-Law In Ontario, payday lenders must also be licensed Provincially by the Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, and licenses must be displayed. The Provincial application package for lenders and brokers is available for download online at Ontario’s Central Forms Repository. This site also offers mandatory education tools, and information regarding the rules for running a payday loan business. |
General Information
The City of Sarnia’s Sewer Use By-law Number 13 of 2021 prohibits the discharge of sewage containing more than 100 mg/L of fats, oils and grease of animal or vegetable origin. Visit the Fats, Oils, and Grease page for more information.
Home Occupation Business
Anyone looking to run a home occupation in a residential area should first view the zoning regulations and consult with City staff . For more information, please visit the Home Based Occupation page or contact planning@sarnia.ca.
Fire Inspections
Proof of compliance with the Fire Code, as determined by the Sarnia Fire Chief, is required for all new Business Licenses. To ensure your establishment is ready for your inspection, please review the following checklist. Click here to download a PDF of the checklist.
Municipal Liquor Permit
A liquor sales licence may be issued to allow the sale and service of alcohol to the public. For more information and how to apply, please contact the Clerk’s department at clerks@sarnia.ca or (519)332-0330 ext 3320.
The form is available online: https://www.agco.ca/alcohol/liquor-sales-licences-municipal-approval
Additional forms required for a liquor licence are available on the AGCO’s website.
Special Occasion Permits (Short term liquor sales) are available at the LCBO, or by contacting AGCO.
All inquiries can be directed to AGCO 1-800-522-2876.
See Bulletin Here: https://www.agco.ca/bulletin/2021/information-bulletin-approved-liquor-framework-lays-groundwork-more-flexible-modern
Patio Extension
If you are an existing business owner looking to expand outdoor food sales on private property contact planning@sarnia.ca or on city property contact engineering@sarnia.ca.
If your patio will be licensed to serve alcohol you will want to contact AGCO 1-800-522-2876
BizPal
Click here for more information about business permits, licences and other requirements needed to start, operate and grow your business from the federal, provincial/territorial and participating municipal governments.
Door to Door Salesperson
Door to Door Salesperson Ontario Consumer Protection.