The Small Business Enterprise Centre primarily represents constituents of three municipalities: Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and The Blue Mountains. Before starting a business in your local municipality, it is important to contact the Municipal offices to discuss your business idea and determine if you will be operating in accordance with the local zoning and by-law requirements.
Click on the appropriate Municipality below to obtain information about Planning, Zoning, By-Laws and Licensing as well as contacts for each department.
The Planning Department
The Planning Department in each Municipality maintains current zoning information and classifications. This is important whether you will be operating your business outside of your home or if you are looking for available commercial or industrial space. The SBEC recommends that you also contact the Planning department directly to confirm that your business will be a “permitted use” within the zoning classification for your business.
By-Law
The Clerk’s Department maintains a list of all current by-laws pertaining to zoning, signage, parking, permits and licenses. This information is important when you will be modifying your location in any way, putting up signage, or if you plan to operation a business out of your home.
Licensing
Some municipalities require licenses and/or permits to operate businesses within the municipality. There may be separate departments dedicated to licensing, or may be incorporated with either the Planning or Clerk’s departments.
Most municipalities maintain up to date zoning, by-law and licensing information on their websites, however it is recommended that you also contact each department directly to confirm that your business will be a “permitted use” within the zoning and by-law classification for your business and ensure that you have the latest by-law information. In addition, establishing a partnership up-front with your Municipality will benefit your business.