Business Licensing

Adult Live Entertainment Parlour By-law

Owner Application Requirements:

• Proof of Legal Name of Applicant (Driver’s Licence)
• Land Transfer/Deed of Land for Premises listing title in the name indicated in answer to Question 12
• Copy of Lease
• Proof of current property taxes in good standing
• If Corporation; Most Recently Filed Form 1
• If Partnership; Copy of Declaration of Partnership

Operator Application Requirements:

• Proof of Legal Name if Applicant; Driver’s Licence
• Fee Paid
• Owner’s Licence already issued
• If Corporation; Most Recently Filed Form 1
• If not also Owner; Copy of Lease, Employment Agreement to operate on Premises in Name of Applicant
• If Partnership; Copy of Declaration of Partnership

Application requirement:

• Successful Fire Inspection Report

Application requirement:

• Clear Criminal Record Check showing no unpardoned offences to be obtained from municipality in which you reside.

Application requirements (NEW):

• Successful Fire Inspection Report
• Inspection Report from Public Health Inspector
• Certificate of Commercial General Liability Insurance not less than $2 Million

Application requirements (RENEWAL):

• Inspection Report from Public Health Inspector
• Certificate of Commercial General Liability Insurance not less than $2 Million

Body Rub Parlour By-law — Owner / Operator

Body Rub Parlour By-law — Attendant

Please contact staff directly for details.

Application requirements:

•  Certificate of Commercial General Liability Insurance of not less than $5 Million
• If rides or like contrivances:
  • Licence to carry on business in Ontario issued by the Technical Standards and
    Safety Authority (TSSA); and
  • Ontario Amusement Device permit issued by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)

If on Private Property

• Written permission from land owner and a sketch detailing the location

If on City Property

• Indemnification and Special Events Agreements

Application requirement:

• Fire inspection

Application requirements (NEW):

• Successful Fire Inspection Report
• Inspection Report from Public Health Inspector

Food Trucks (non-motorized and other)
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) regulates Mobile Food Service Equipment, alongside propane storage and handling. TSSA approval is needed for trucks/carts containing propane or natural gas appliances. If there are no propane or natural gas appliances then the food cart is exempt from a TSSA inspection.

Approval/permission is needed from the location it will be set up. Additional approval is required by Lambton Public Health inspection and the City of Sarnia Planning Department.

Food Trucks on City Property
Please contact purchasing@sarnia.ca for information about food trucks on City property.

Application requirements:

• Certificate of Commercial General Liability Insurance not less than $2 Million
• Proof of Current Certification as a Plumber as issued by the Ontario College of Trades
  under the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009
• Proof that the Applicant for the licence or renewal has a current Certificate of Clearance as provided by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board at the time of application, where applicable

Pawn Broker By-Law

Application requirements:

• This licence will be issued in the name of the applicant receiving the Police Check. Other co-owners or partners of the business who wish to operate
  in the City of Sarnia will be required to submit their names for a Police Check.
• Approval will be required from Fire, Planning and Police before a licence may be issued, once the application is submitted they will be contacted. Confirmation of availability & proximity to be approved as per by-law before licence issued.

Payday Loan By-law

Application requirements:

• Valid Licence as a lender or loan broker under the Payday Loans Act
• Clear Criminal Record Check
• Certificate of Commercial General Liability Insurance not less than $2 Million

Application requirement (new):

• Fire inspection

Application requirement (new):

• Successful Fire Inspection Report
• Proof of Compliance with the Electrical Safety Code as determined by an authorized inspector within the last three years

Application requirement (renewal):

• Proof of Compliance with the Electrical Safety Code as determined by an authorized inspector within the last three years

Application requirement:

• Successful Fire Inspection Report

Application requirements:

• A letter of permission or rental contract from the owner of the property where the sale is to be held must be submitted before licence will be issued
• A site plan of where to sale is to be held may also be required

For Door to Door Salesman Only

• Clear Criminal Record Check showing no unpardoned offences
• Items for sale list

Application requirements:

• Successful Fire Inspection Report
• Clear Criminal Record Check showing no unpardoned offences

Please review the Short-Term Accommodations webpage.

Please review the Vehicle for Hire webpage.

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.

We will contact you to schedule your inspection after your application is received.

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.

For information about municipal liquor permits, including liquor sales licenses – municipal approval, and municipally significant events, please visit the Municipal Liquor Permit page.

If you are an existing business owner looking to expand outdoor food sales on private property, contact planning@sarnia.ca.

For information on temporary patios on City property such as sidewalks, please visit our Temporary Patio Program page.

BizPaL is an innovative online service that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to information about business permits, licences and other requirements needed to start, operate and grow their business from the federal, provincial/territorial and participating municipal governments. Visit our BizPal page for more information.