Richmond Hill | Office of Economic Development

Starting a Business

The Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre is available to assist persons starting or expanding small business in the Richmond Hill community. The following is a brief outline of steps that should be undertaken by entrepreneurs to ensure that he or she complies with Municipal, Regional, Provincial and Federal regulations.

VISIT THE RICHMOND HILL SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CENTRE

The Small Business Enterprise Centre counsels entrepreneurs about starting a small business in Ontario. Ask for research assistance, utilize our extensive business resource library and databases, or schedule an appointment for a no charge consultation.

To schedule an appointment for consultation contact:

Town of Richmond Hill
225 East Beaver Creek Road
7th Floor, Suite 715
Phone: 905-771-2523 / 800-780-7831
Email: ecdev@richmondhill.ca

PREPARE THE BUSINESS PLAN

A well-prepared business plan is a key factor in the successful start-up and operation of your business. Persons contemplating starting a business should prepare a written summary outlining the overall activities of the business including the marketing, financial, labour, research and development and general information pertaining to the business. This plan is especially important when applying to any financial institution for assistance. Prepare your business plan in the start-up stage of your business, then consult and revise it on an ongoing basis. Be sure to check our information booklet “How To Write a Business Plan” for more information and to book a consultation with the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre for assistance and to have your plan reviewed.

CHECK MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS

Ensure that you check with the various departments listed below for any regulations that may affect your business. Please dial the Town’s main number 905-771-8800 and refer to the extensions below.

LICENSING (EXT: 2468)
Certain types of businesses within Richmond Hill require a Municipal License. Contact the Clerk’s Department for more information.
ZONING (EXT: 3599)
To ensure that the building, land or establishment where you will be operating your business is appropriately zoned, contact the Zoning Administrator. If you run a home-based business, there are regulations which you must adhere to.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT (EXT: 3599)
Should you be installing/erecting a sign for your business or making renovations to your business premise, check with the Building Department for any required building permits.
FIRE DEPARTMENT (905) 763-8778
As part of the building, zoning and licensing requirements, you may require inspection from the Fire Department. For further information, contact the Richmond Hill Fire Prevention Services at (905) 763-8778, or email at fire@richmondhill.ca
PROPERTY TAXES (EXT: 8922)
Most property tax levies are paid directly by the property owner. To determine your property tax, contact the Finance Department.

REGIONAL REQUIREMENTS

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT (1-800-361-5653)
With certain businesses the York Region Public Health Department will want to inspect your equipment and premises. For more information contact the Richmond Hill office at 905-762-2090.

REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS

There are several ways to start-up your business. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before choosing what type of business organization is best for you, visit your nearest Small Business Enterprise Centre for additional information.

(a) BUSINESS NAME REGISTRATION (Sole Proprietorship or Partnership)

The Business Names Act applies to all types of businesses that operate using a name other than the owner’s full name. Registration costs vary and will register the name of the business for a five-year period. To determine if the name of the business is already in use in Ontario, you can perform a name search. The Ministry will advise the registrant whether the name is currently in use and provide the address for any duplicates that may exist. The name search does not include corporation names or trade-marks. A corporation search can be conducted through the Companies and Personal Property Security Branch of the Ministry of Government Services or through Primary Service Providers for a fee.

ONTARIO BUSINESS CONNECTS: OBC Workstations are located across Ontario. The cost to register is $60.00 and the cost for each name search is $8.00. You can receive your Master Business License immediately. Please click here for a list of service locations.
INTERNET: On-Line at www.cbs.gov.on.ca/obc. You must have a Visa or Master Card to register. The fee to register is $60.00. Name Searches can also be completed online for $8.00. If you conduct your registration between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST), Monday to Friday, excluding Statutory Holidays your registration will be processed online allowing you immediate access to your documentation. Otherwise, you will receive it by mail within two weeks.
MAIL:
Complete the appropriate forms and mail them with $80.00 for registration and $12.00 per name searched. Your Master Business Licence will be mailed to you within 2-4 weeks. Mail to: Ontario Business Connects, P.O. Box 1028 Station B, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H3. For more information contact the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services at 1-800-361-3223

(b) ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

PROVINCIAL
Persons wishing to incorporate a business Provincially must file with:

Ministry of Government Services
Companies and Personal Property Security Branch
393 University Avenue, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M2
In-Person: 375 University Avenue, 2nd Floor
Inquiries: 1-800-361-3223
Web site: www.mgs.gov.on.ca

Electronic filing of Articles of Incorporation is also available through two Primary Service Providers. For information about electronic incorporation contact either:

Cyberbahn Inc.
Tel: (416) 595-9522
Toll Free: 1-800-806-0003
www.cyberbahn.ca

OnCorp Direct Inc.
Tel: (416) 964-2677
Toll Free: 1-800-461-7772
www.oncorp.com

FEDERAL
Persons wishing to incorporate a business federally can file with:

Corporations Canada
151 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario M5C 2W7
Tel: (416) 954-2714
Toll Free: 1-866-333-5556
www.corporationscanada.ic.gc.ca

Electronic filing is also available on the Corporations Canada web site.

OBTAIN NECESSARY LICENSES

In addition the Municipal and Regional licensing requirements as listed in Steps 3 and 4, you may be required to obtain additional licenses to operate your business.

PROVINCIAL LICENSES
Special Provincial licenses may be required for certain businesses (ie. Liquor License, Day Care, Commercial Vehicle Operation, Auto Mechanic, etc.). For more information talk to the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre.
FEDERAL LICENSES
Special Federal licenses may be required for certain businesses, such as import and export permits. For more information contact the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre.

REGISTER FOR APPLICABLE TAXES

PROVINCIAL SALES TAX (PST)
Businesses that sell PST applicable goods must obtain a vendor’s permit (no charge). A vendor’s permit is also referred to as the PST or RST number. For more information contact:

North York Regional Tax Office
Ministry of Finance
5 Park Home Avenue, Suite 200
North York, Ontario M2N 6W8
Tel: (416) 222-3226
Toll Free: 1-888-565-6433
www.trd.fin.gov.on.ca
GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST)
A business whose gross annual sales/revenues exceed $30,000 must register for a Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency (no charge for permit) and charge their customers GST. If sales are less than $30,000, it is optional to obtain a GST number. Refer to the “Guide for Canadian Small Business” (produced by Canada Revenue Agency) for additional information. To register for a Business Number, contact Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525.
EMPLOYER HEALTH TAX (EHT)
Eligible employers should register and pay Employer Health Tax when their cumulative annual payroll exceeds the exemption amount for the year. The exemption amount for 1999 and subsequent years is $400,000. If you are considered an associated employer, you are required to register and remit Employer Health Tax. Contact the Ministry of Finance for more information.

North York Regional Tax Office
Ministry of Finance
5 Park Home Avenue, Suite 200
North York, Ontario M2N 6W8
Tel: (416) 222-3226
Toll Free: 1-888-565-6433
www.trd.fin.gov.on.ca
CORPORATE INCOME TAX
If you have incorporated your business you will have to remit income tax to the Federal Government. In most cases, new corporations will receive a Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency within 45 days of incorporating. For more information contact Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525.

EMPLOYEE REGULATIONS

EMPLOYER NUMBER
All businesses are required to make payroll deductions from their employees for Income Tax, Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance. You will need a federal Employer Number if hiring employees. Contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND INSURANCE BOARD
Most businesses in Ontario that employ workers (including family and sub-contractors) must register and make remittance to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). IT’S THE LAW. You will need to contact WSIB within 10 days of hiring your first full or part-time worker. Employers who do not register are subject to prosecution and penalties. Owners, partners and executive officers are not automatically covered under the WSIB insurance plan, but you can apply for optional insurance. For further information contact www.wsib.on.ca.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
The Employment Standards Act provides for minimum terms and conditions of employment in most industries. For more information contact the Ontario Ministry of Labour at (905) 715-7020 or visit their web site at www.gov.on.ca.

INVESTIGATE INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

BUSINESS INSURANCE
Depending on the type of business that you plan to operate, various kinds of insurances are available to protect you and your business. Visit an insurance agent or broker to determine the type of insurance that will apply to you.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND INSURANCE BOARD
Owners, partners and executive officers are not automatically covered under the WSIB insurance plan, but you can apply for optional insurance. For further information, contact (416) 344-1007 or 1-800-387-0080.

INVESTIGATE OTHER REQUIREMENTS

TRADE-MARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND PATENTS
A trade-mark is a word, phrase, logo, picture, shape, mode of wrapping or packaging, or a combination of any of the above used to specifically distinguish goods or services.
A copyright protects original literary, artistic, dramatic and musical works.
A patent gives the inventor the right to exclude others from making, selling or using the invention for 17 years. A patent is valid in Canada only, and therefore patents must be applied for in the various countries you wish the item to be protected from duplication.
For information on any matters relating to intellectual property contact the Canadian Intellectual Properties Office (CIPO) at (819) 997-1936.
IMPORT/EXPORT
If you are exporting, an export number is required by Canada Border Services Agency. They can be contacted at 1-800-959-5525. Also check with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for any required Import/Export Permits.
Both the Federal and Provincial government have programs in place to assist new and existing exporters. For more information, contact the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre.