Starting a New Business

One of the most important legal requirements for starting a business is the need for a Business License. If you are starting a new business in Torbay or operating an existing business, you may not be aware that a business license is required to operate within the Town. Even home based business owners need a permit to operate!

Registering for a business licence within the Town of Torbay gives you permission to operate your business on your premises (whether at your home or in a commercial space).

Contact the Town of Torbay to see which permits or mobile business licences might be required for your type of business. Our staff are happy to assist you and discuss the various tools the Town can provide to help with a smooth start to opening! If you are an existing business and weren’t aware of this requirement, not a problem!

Contact our Director of Economic Development, Tourism, History and Culture at kmurray@torbay.ca or call (709) 437-6532 ext.230. We are here to help simplify the process and ensure that your business meets all requirements to operate!

Home Based Business

The zoning by-laws allow residents to operate businesses from their homes while still maintaining a quiet and safe residential environment. Home based businesses are however not currently permitted in mobile home areas and in apartment buildings.

All tenants are required to obtain their landlord’s permission to operate a home-based business, and the landlord has to sign the development application before the business can be considered by the Town.

Since businesses are of discretionary use in a residential zone, a public notice is required, followed by approval of the Town Council. A public notice is issued in either the monthly edition of the North East Avalon Times. Anyone wishing to comment will have a specific amount of days to submit their comments on the proposed home based business. The Town’s Planning and Development staff will review the application and all comments, and forward their recommendations to the Town Council for a final decision.

The process of starting a home based business begins with filling out a Development Permit Application. A $100.00 fee must be submitted with the application. For businesses that require issuing a public notice, an additional fee is charged to cover the advertising cost. For more information on how to license your home based business, Contact our Director of Economic Development, Tourism, History and Culture at kmurray@torbay.ca or call (709) 437-6532 ext.230.

*Please note that additional regulations from federal and provincial governments may apply to your particular business.