Amusement Permit: arcade, movie, bowling

The following types of amusement establishments require a licence to operate in the City of Vaughan:

 

Class A - arcade: This licence is required for any business where there are three or more amusement machines (such as arcade, video games, pinball machines or other similar machines) available for public use.Class B - theatre: This licence is required for any business where movies are shown to the public, not including video stores.Class C - bowling alley: This licence is required to operate a business where there are any bowling lanes for public use.

Options to apply

 

1. On the Licensing Portal:

2. In person or by mail to:


By-Law and Compliance, Licensing & Permit Services
Vaughan City Hall, Level 100 
2141 Major Mackenzie Dr.

Vaughan, ON  L6A 1T1

 

3. Via the drop-boxes located at the entrances of Vaughan City Hall. 

 

4. By e-mail to:

 

bylaw.licensing@vaughan.ca, along with scanned copies of required documentation.

 

Please ensure the application or e-mail indicates a contact phone number

for staff to collect payment.

 

If submitting your application by mail or via the drop-box, please enclose payment in the form of a cheque made payable to the City of Vaughan. If submitting your application via e-mail, please ensure the application or accompanying message indicate a contact name and phone number for our staff to collect payment.

 

Application

 

If you are applying in-person, by mail, drop-box or email, complete the following form for submission:

Place of Amusement Application (PDF)

 

Otherwise, you can apply online on the Licensing Portal.

 


 

Notes About Zoning:

 

  • To apply for a new licence, a Zoning Clearance, issued within the last 365 days, is required to be submitted with the application form above.
  • You can apply for a Zoning Clearance online here.

 


 

Fees

 

Class A - arcade

Fee20252026
Initial fee$ 341 +$13 per machine$ 352 + $14 per machine
Renewal fee$ 288 + $13 per machine$ 297 + $14 per machine

 

Class B - theatre

Fee20252026
Initial fee$ 604$ 623
Renewal fee$ 510$ 526

 

Class C - bowling alley

Fee20252026
Initial fee$ 595$ 613
Renewal fee$ 501$ 517