Oshawa reviewing business licensing by-laws

The City of Oshawa is updating its Business Licensing by-laws and is looking for input from the public.

The Business Licensing by-law licenses, regulates and governs 18 general classifications of businesses operating in Oshawa with the goals of ensuring health and safety and consumer protection.

Compliance of the rules are met and maintained through annual approvals and inspections, specific to each business class.

This comprehensive modernization review, which City staff have been working on since February, will identify opportunities to enhance the Licensing By-law while adapting to new business processes, technology and market trends. Feedback from the public and business community is “critical” to informing any proposed updates to the regulations, a statement from the City read.

The modernization review does not include areas recently reviewed or are currently being reviewed, including Short Term Rental Operators, Residential Rental Units, Lodging Houses, Vehicles for Hire, Payday Loan Establishments and Pet Stores.

Residents and other interested parties can participate by completing a form online at Connect Oshawa, attend a special Safety and Facilities Services Committee meeting Thursday, September 21 at 1:30 p.m., or by discussing the review in-person with staff at one of three community engagement open houses:

• Thursday, July 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Delpark Homes Centre on Harmony Rd. N;
• Thursday, August 17 from Noon to 3 p.m. at Lakeview Park – east of the Jubilee Pavilion (in case of rain the open house will be moved to the Oshawa Museum’s Guy House);
• Wednesday, September 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at CORE21 (21 Simcoe St. S.)

Those wanting to address the committee on September 21 must send an email to [email protected] no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20.

Feedback will be received until noon Wednesday, September 27.