Eating Establishment (Restaurant), Lounge, Nightclub and Pub Licences


The Licensing By-law defines an “Eating Establishment” as a building or place where food and drink are prepared and offered for sale and served.  This business licence category includes restaurants, as well as cafeteria-style, buffet, self-service, or take out facilities.

 

An Eating Establishment does not include a Banquet Hall, Pub, Lounge or a Night Club. Visit the Banquet Hall page for more information about this licence, or view below for more information on the Pub, Lounge and Night Club licence types. 

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What's new

As of March 21, 2023, as per this amendment to the Business Licensing By-law:

  • The business licence categories of "Lounge", "Nightclub" and "Pub" were created, which have different operating requirements.. 
  • Some Eating Establishment licensees may need to be reclassified as Lounges, Nightclubs or Pubs, and can do so at no charge.
  • New and existing Eating Establishments will be required to confirm if they have a convenience store, offer takeout or have a drive-through.

 

What type of business licence do I need?

Here is an overview of these four licence types; see the Business Licensing By-law for more information or contact us. 

Comparison the the Eating Establishment, Lounge, Nightclub and Pub licences
No Type of business licence Overview
1 Eating Establishment (restaurant)
  • Any place where food or drink are offered for sale, and includes places with a convenience store, take-out or drive-through.
  • Eating establishments have at least 70% of the floor space for serving food/dining, and a full kitchen.
2 Lounge
  • A place where alcohol is sold and served in a lounge-like atmosphere, which has live or pre-recorded music provided for listening or dancing. 
  • Lounges must have at least one security guard for every 100 persons in attendance, and all entrances must have a metal detector used by security guards to screen each person who enters.
  • Lounges must have high-definition cameras in  operation at least one hour before opening and one hour after closing. 
  • Cameras must record all points on entry or exit, as well as areas within 10 metres around the building.
3 Nightclub
  • A place where alcohol is sold and served in a night club-like atmosphere, which has live or pre-recorded music provided for listening or dancing. 
  • Nightclubs must have at least one security guard for every 100 persons in attendance, and all entrances must have a metal detector used by security guards to screen each person who enters.
  • Nightclubs must have high-definition cameras in  operation at least one hour before opening and one hour after closing. 
  • Cameras must record all points on entry or exit, as well as areas within 10 metres around the building.
4 Pub
  • A place where alcohol is served, and which may include the sale of food, which may have live or pre-recorded music provided for listening or dancing. 

 

Options to apply 

1. On the Licensing Portal, where you can now apply for and renew stationary business licences and permits. In the future, you will be able use the portal to apply for various individual and mobile licences also.

Get or renew a business license or Permit

 

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: 

Eating Establishment 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

Fee

2023

2024

Initial fee

$ 474

$ 506

Renewal fee

$ 208

$ 211