City waiving 2022 business licensing fees, sidewalk patio fees, for hard-hit sectors

Businesses hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to forgo the payment of licensing and sidewalk patio fees in 2022.

In an effort to support business recovery City Council has approved the waiving of business licensing and sidewalk patio fees in 2022 for businesses in certain sectors most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The move continues efforts that saw fees waived in 2020 and 2021.

Business licensing fees will be waived for:

• Amusement arcades
• Auctioneers
• Hawkers / peddlers such as food trucks
• Public halls
• Refreshment stands
• Restaurants
• Theatres

In addition, businesses operating sidewalk patios will not have to pay City fees typically associated with such operations.

“The entertainment and hospitality industries have been extremely hard hit by the pandemic, but it is these businesses that are so crucial not only as employers, but as key players in establishing our City as a destination and breathing new life into our streets,” said Director of Economic Development and Tourism Services (EDTS) Brian York. “As a City we remain committed to supporting them in whatever ways we can, including eliminating some of the costs associated with them doing business during the recovery period.”

The continued waiving of fees comes alongside other efforts to support local business. Expanded temporary outdoor patio permissions are being granted again in 2021 to allow eateries to safely reopen with larger operational footprints serving more visitors; and weekend downtown road closures return this weekend to provide for further patio space and attract visitors to the City core.

The City is not stopping with short-term supports for businesses. Looking to long-term recovery, EDTS has outlined a roadmap to support business while shoring up future economic resiliency in its Pandemic Recovery Strategy.

Contact: CitizensFirst@stcatharines.ca