COVID-19
City facilities including City Hall are closed to the public. Many services will remain available, but changes have been made to reduce the need for people to leave their home to access services.
The official website for the City of London, Ontario
Due to COVID-19, we have temporarily amended our submission process for all applications pertaining to planning, development, building and licensing.
New business licence applications for businesses are being accepted digitally. New applications for food premises will have their application fee deferred three months from the date of the issuance of the licence. Please email applications and licensing inquiries to licensing@london.ca.
The main goal of any municipal business licence is to protect the health and safety of the public who use the service. It also helps ensure consistency for business owners and customers. The business licensing by-law and other by-laws provide the rules and regulations for each licensed business.
New rental license applications and renewals are being accepted via email.
Learn more about the vehicle for hire by-law and licensing.
Learn more about the business licensing by-law.
For refreshment vehicle inquiries, please email foodtruck@london.ca or call 519-930-3515.
Motorized vehicles permitted on public and private property from which pre-packaged or pre-made food products are offered for sale for a brief time per location - no food is permitted to be prepared on, in, or around the vehicle while in service.
Non-motorized vehicles, carts, bikes, trailers, etc. where food products, either pre-packaged or prepared on site, are sold or offered for sale on public and/or private property. They can be stationary, or mobile, but are non-motorized.
Motorized vehicles where food products are prepared and offered for sale from different locations on public and/or private property. Most commonly known as food trucks.
The following are the categories of businesses that require an annual municipal business licence issued by the City of London. For definitions, please see business licensing by-law L.131-16.
Before signing a lease or purchasing a property, contact a zoning business coordinator in the Business Hub at City Hall.
Business Hub staff can help you determine if your business is a permitted use, as per the zoning by-law Z.-1, and provide you with information about other zoning and licensing concerns, based on your proposed address. Call 519-661-2489 x 5680 or email businesshub@london.ca
It is also strongly recommended you contact the following service areas and organizations to get more information:
Building A commercial plans examiner can help you determine if you require a building permit or a change of use permit, based on your proposed address and the changes you plan to make. Call 519-661-4555 or email building@london.ca
City of London Fire Department Fire prevention staff will help you understand your fire prevention requirements and let you know about fire inspections. Call 519-661-4565 or email fireforms@london.ca
Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) For any food-related business inquiries, MLHU staff will help you plan and prepare you for your health inspection. 50 King Street 519-663-5317 health@mlhu.on.ca
Waste water For information about best practices for business, business licence inspections, disposing of fats, oils, greases, etc. call 519-661-2489 x 6306 or email water@london.ca
New licence application
1. Complete the business licence application form
Different business licences have different application requirements. If you are unsure of any of the requirements, contact Business Hub staff to discuss.
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Licence renewal
Payment options to renew your business licence:
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Search the City's Property Inquiry System
To find active business licence information and files. They will be labelled BL. This can be used by the owner of a business, a potential purchaser, or the general public to see if a business has a municipal business licence.
The business licensing by-law (L.131-16) sets out the rules that govern municipal business licensing in London.
Some business licence categories also have separate by-laws, such as:
Please contact the Manager of Records and Information Services by calling 519-661-2489 x 5590 or by emailing eskalski@london.ca to request a copy of a by-law.