Welcome to the online access portal! We are pleased to offer our visitors access to government services online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To get started, please select one of the online activities below:
To get started, please select one of the online activities below:
Apply
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Submit a Business License Application
Start here if you are applying for a business license in the City for the first time.
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Home Occupation Permit
Home Occupation Permit (HOP) is required if conducting business from a Ontario residential location.
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Business License Questionnaire
Business License Questionnaire is required if conducting business from a Ontario commercial or industrial location
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Site Plan
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Property Owner Declaration
Renew
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Renew a Business License
Start here to renew your current business license for another year.
Pay
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Pay a Balance Due
Start here to pay a balance due on an established account. Please do not use this option to begin the license renewal process.
Close
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Close a Business License
Start here if you do not plan to operate or conduct any business activity in the City.
Search
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Licensed Business Search
Search for a business that is licensed with the City.
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Download Forms
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Frequently Asked Questions
The City of Ontario has recently changed vendors and has entered a partnership with HdL to better assist the business community with all your business license tax needs. The HdL Business Support Center will provide the business community with all aspects of business tax services including the processing of new applications, renewals, payments, timely tax certificate issuance, and prompt customer service support.
A business tax is an annual tax for doing business within the City of Ontario’s jurisdiction.
Any person whose business is in Ontario or conducts business in Ontario must obtain a Business Tax Certificate before the business commences. Conducting business in Ontario without a Business Tax Certificate can result in penalties, violation notices, citations, and court action.
Every annual business license shall expire on midnight on the anniversary date of the business start date unless otherwise specified in the City of Ontario’s Municipal Code. Every business license issued for a period of less than one (1) year shall expire at midnight on the day that it was issued through.
3-1.113 Term of business license
Yes. For failure to pay a tax when due, the license collector shall add a penalty of twenty percent (20%) of the amount of such tax on the last calendar day of each following month after the due date thereof. New businesses in the City who fail to secure a business license prior to opening for business shall add a penalty of twenty percent (20%) in addition to amount of the business license tax. In no event shall any penalty imposed hereunder exceed an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of such tax.
3-1.117 Penalties for late payment and non-payment
Once you have submitted your business license application and provided all necessary documentation you will receive an invoice for the business license taxes and fees. After payment, you will receive your business license via email within 24 hours.