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No need to waste printer ink or stop by City Hall to pick up a paper copy of a business licence application as they can now be filled out entirely online.
There are five applications now available on stcatharines.ca. Applicants can fill out forms to apply for a general business licence, a licence to run a business as a master plumber, a licence to operate a second-level lodging house, as well as general hawker and peddler and hawker and peddler event promoter licences.
“As we continue to enhance the City of St. Catharines website, we’re bringing more online than ever before, making things like these applications accessible outside of regular business hours,” says Maggie Riopelle, manager of communications for the City.
The website upgrade has opened more opportunities for online service delivery as residents increasingly interact and do business online. The redeveloped site includes the necessary software for further technology upgrades, including the ability to complete these application processes virtually from beginning to end with the selection of an online payment provider in the near future.
Payments for new business licence applications can be accepted over the phone with a credit card or in person at City Hall by making an appointment with Citizen’s First, while application renewal payments do not require an appointment. Applications and payment by cheque can be submitted to the drop box at the James Street entrance at City Hall, or by mail. Paper applications can still be submitted in person.
“It was important to us to get these applications up on the site as we continue to explore service enhancements and modernize deliverables for the public who are increasingly looking to engage with us and access services online,” said Paul Chudoba, manager of by-law enforcement and licensing, adding, “Council has waived most of our business licensing fees again this year as a gesture to provide relief to those who struggled through the pandemic.”
Online business licence applications can be found at stcatharines.ca/BusinessLicences along with further business resources and assistance including information on business definitions, existing licence renewals, taxes and fees.
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