Checked
Municipal business licence checklist and renewals in Cambridge
Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
Cambridge licenses specified business categories and asks applicants to start at least three weeks before opening.
Key information
Cambridge licenses specified business categories and asks applicants to start at least three weeks before opening. Prepare insurance and business registration, then complete the required zoning, fire and health reviews.
On this page
At a glance
| Task | Key detail |
|---|---|
| Which businesses need a City licence? | Cambridge lists categories such as restaurants, food trucks, personal wellness, salons, tattoos, automotive repair, bakeshops and certain mobile businesses. |
| What insurance does the application need? | The certificate of insurance must show at least $2 million commercial general liability and list City of Cambridge, 50 Dickson Street, Cambridge ON N1R 5W8 as an additional insured. |
| When do Cambridge business licences expire? | They expire March 31 each year. |
Sources: Licensing | City of Cambridge
Your next steps
- Find the business category
Find the business category.
- Check documents and approvals
Check documents and approvals.
- Submit or renew the licence
Submit or renew the licence.
Sources: Licensing | City of Cambridge
Business categories and preparation
Which businesses need a City licence?
Cambridge lists categories such as restaurants, food trucks, personal wellness, salons, tattoos, automotive repair, bakeshops and certain mobile businesses. The page says renovation, landscaping and cleaning contractors are not currently licensed through this program. Check the category, not just whether a business exists.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
When should I start an application?
Apply online at least three weeks before the proposed opening. Review time depends on the departmental sign-offs and inspections. The licence is needed before opening, so the recommended lead time is not a promise of approval within three weeks.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
Which business registration document is required?
Provide one of a Certificate of Articles of Incorporation, Master Business Licence or Certificate of Business Name Registration. Only one of these is required. Additional category-specific documents can still be necessary.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
Sources: Licensing | City of Cambridge
Insurance, inspections and licence costs
What insurance does the application need?
The certificate of insurance must show at least $2 million commercial general liability and list City of Cambridge, 50 Dickson Street, Cambridge ON N1R 5W8 as an additional insured. Use the City's exact requirement when asking an insurer to prepare it.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
What inspections or other approvals may apply?
Building, zoning and fire regulations must be met. Fire sign-off has a fee. Some categories need a criminal record check or Public Health report. Hair salons, esthetics, tattooing and food preparation or sales are among the specialized health-review examples.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
How much is the business licence?
Fees vary by business type and cover licensing, inspection and enforcement costs. The service page does not state one universal fee. Check the specific category in the online application and include any separate inspection charges.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
Sources: Licensing | City of Cambridge
Renewals, specialist routes and contacts
When do Cambridge business licences expire?
They expire March 31 each year. An early-March renewal email explains the online process and amount. Follow that email and upload current insurance plus the required business registration document rather than just paying last year's amount.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
How can I pay or speak to an officer?
Renew online through the portal. The Clerk's office lists cash, cheque, Visa, Mastercard and debit. Licensing appointments are required for in-person advice; contact licensing@cambridge.ca or 519-623-1340 extension 4581 for a 30-minute consultation.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
Which activities use another permit route?
Buskers contact licensing@cambridge.ca; patios contact transportation@cambridge.ca. Drain layers, drain contractors and backflow testers use tradeslicense@cambridge.ca. Signs and building work can need separate permits. A business licence does not authorize every construction or street use.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
How do charitable barbecues get approval?
Apply at least 30 days before the event by emailing licensing@cambridge.ca with the date, organization, charitable purpose, location and items sold. There must be a charitable aspect. Keep the emailed approval with the organizer at the event.
Source: Licensing | City of Cambridge
Sources: Licensing | City of Cambridge
In-person service location
Service Cambridge at City Hall
50 Dickson Street, Cambridge, Ontario
Main-floor municipal service counter. Use the relevant appointment or account service first when the task requires advance document review.
- Counter hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm for the tax cashier
Sources: Taxes | City of Cambridge