Public Health Notification of Business Opening, Reopening and Renovation
Notifying Public Health
The 7 business categories on this page are required or recommended to notify Halton Region Public Health whenever they open or reopen their premises to the public or undertake renovations. You can quickly and easily notify Public Health or request an inspection using our online notification form. Employers of international agricultural workers and owners/operators of group homes are also encouraged to use this online notification if they require an inspection by Public Health.
By completing the online notification form, you are fulfilling your responsibility as a business owner/operator to inform Public Health of any opening/reopening or changes to your business. Public Health reviews all completed forms and will follow up with the owner/operator within 2 business days. Depending on the specifics of the opening, reopening or renovations, a public health inspector may be required to visit your premises.
If you are unable to submit this online form, please call 311 and ask to speak with a Public Health Inspector.
Food premises
A food premises is where food is manufactured, processed, prepared, stored, handled, displayed, distributed, transported, sold or offered for sale. Examples include but are not limited to:
- restaurants
- take-outs
- supermarkets
- bakeries
- convenience stores
- banquet facilities
- community/rental kitchens
- cafeterias
- food caterers
- childcare centres
- food banks
- home-based food businesses
- mobile food premises (e.g., food truck, hot dog cart, refreshment vehicles)
When to notify Public Health
The owner or operator of a food premises is required by O. Reg. 493/17: Food Premises (external link) to notify Public Health in the situations below. The online notification form can be used to meet this requirement.
| Situation | When to submit the form |
|---|---|
| Opening a new business to the public | Recommended at least 14 days before opening |
| Undergoing renovations | Recommended at least 14 days before submitting a building permit application |
| Change in business ownership | Recommended at least 14 days upon ownership change |
For more information on food safety, please visit our Food Safety for Business webpage.
For more information on making renovations to your business, please visit our Construction and Renovation Information for Food Premises Operators webpage.
Starting a home-based food business
Before starting a home-based food business, ensure you have completed the following steps:
- Confirm that your home is appropriately zoned for business use by contacting your local municipality:
- Address any municipal requirements related to building permit, business licensing, and fire safety.
- Speak with your home insurance provider to ensure your policy provides adequate coverage for business-related activities including liability.
Operators are required to notify Halton Region Public Health before opening a Home-based Food business within Halton Region by submitting a Public Health Notification of Business Opening, Reopening and Renovation.
- All food premises, including home-based food businesses must comply with the requirements of the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) (external link) and the Ontario Food Premises Regulation 493/17 (external link).
- Review steps to compliance.
- All home-based food businesses are subject to routine inspections by a Halton Region Public Health Inspector, and inspection results are publicly disclosed.
Note: Requirements for a Home-based food business may vary depending on the type of food being prepared and the activities conducted. The information below will help operators determine whether their home kitchen is suitable for operating a home-based food business.
Types of food
- Low-risk foods
Home-based food businesses that prepare only low-risk foods are exempt from certain regulatory requirements, such as:- Separate handwashing stations;
- Compliance with commercial dishwashing requirements; and
- Food handling training certification.
- Low-risk food items
Low-risk food items are generally considered non-hazardous and do not require time and temperature control. Some examples of low-risk foods include:- Most breads and buns (without meat, cream filling, etc.);
- Most baked goods (with no custard);
- Chocolate, hard candies and brittles;
- Fudge and toffees;
- Granola, trail mix, nuts and seeds;
- Cakes (icing that doesn’t require refrigeration), brownies, muffins and cookies.
- Coffee beans and tea leaves;
- High and moderate risk foods
Home-based food businesses serving high and/or moderate risk foods must comply with all requirements of the Ontario Food Premises Regulation (external link). These types of foods can support the growth of bacteria and require time-temperature control to keep them safe for human consumption. They are considered potentially hazardous foods. Some examples of high-risk foods include:- Meats
- Dairy products (Milk, cream, cheese, yogurt, and products containing them such as cream pies and quiches)
- Seafood
- Eggs
- Cooked rice
- Cooked potatoes
- Cooked pasta
If your home kitchen does not meet the requirements for operating a home-based food business, you may consider using a shared commercial kitchen or another inspected food premises. To find an inspected food premises in Halton Region, visit Halton Public Health Inspection Results (external link).
To confirm your home-based food business meets all requirements request to speak to a public health inspector by submitting Halton - Health Inspections General Inquiry and Complaint Form.
For more resources to assist in starting a small business consult with Halton Region Small Business Centre.
Personal service settings
Personal service settings refer to settings in which aesthetic services are delivered, such as (but not limited to):
- aesthetics
- body piercing and earlobe piercing
- body modification
- electrolysis and hair removal
- hairdressing and barbering
- manicure and pedicure
- microdermabrasion
- micropigmentation
- tattooing and tattoo removal
When to notify Public Health
The owner or operator of a personal service setting is required by O. Reg. 136/18: Personal Service Settings (external link) to notify Public Health in the situations below. The online notification form can be used to meet this requirement.
| Situation | When to submit the form |
|---|---|
| Opening a new business to the public | 14 days before opening |
| Commencement of new PSS services | 14 days before offering service |
| Undergoing renovations | 14 days before commencing reconstruction or renovations |
Recreational water facilities
When to notify Public Health
The owner or operator of a recreational water facility is required by Ontario Regulation 565/90 (external link) to notify Public Health in the situations below. The online notification form can be used to meet this requirement.
| Situation | When to submit the form |
|---|---|
| Opening a new facility to the public | At least 14 days before opening to the public |
| Reopening a facility after a closure of more than 4 weeks (e.g., seasonal) | At least 14 days before reopening to the public |
| Reopening a facility after construction or alteration | At least 14 days before opening to the public |
| Operating a Class B pool as a Class A pool | Prior to operating as a Class A pool |
Important reminder: You may be asked to provide your building permit number to a Halton Region public health inspector.
For more information on recreational water facilities, please visit our Safe Water Program webpage.
Recreational camps
Recreational camps are defined as camps for recreational activities on a site in which sleeping and eating facilities are provided for temporary occupancy, with or without charge, for five or more persons who are under 18 years of age or persons who have special needs (Ontario Regulation 503/17 (external link)).
When to notify Public Health
| Situation | When to submit the form |
|---|---|
| Opening a new camp | At least 14 days before opening |
| Reopening a camp (e.g., seasonal) | At least 14 days before reopening |
| Changing operator contact information or location of the camp | Within 14 days after the change is made |
| Closing or abandoning camp | Prior to the closing or abandonment |
Small drinking water systems
When to notify Public Health
The owner or operator of a small drinking water system is required by Ontario Regulation 319/08 (external link) to notify Public Health in the situations below. The online notification form can be used to meet this requirement.
| Situation | When to submit the form |
|---|---|
| Constructing or installing a system | Prior to supplying water to users |
| Reopening after a system has not been supplying water for more than 60 days (e.g., seasonal) | Prior to supplying water to users |
| Altering or extending a system | Prior to supplying water to users |
| When a system that has been subject to the provisions of Ontario Regulation 170/03 (external link) stops being subject to that regulation | On the first day when the system stops being subject to Ontario Regulation 170/03 (external link) |
| Any change in an operator designated under Ontario Regulation 319/08 (external link), including name or address | When any change in a designated operator occurs |
| Where a water sample is required to be tested for a parameter in Ontario Regulation 319/08 (external link), the identity of the laboratory where the sample will be tested must be provided | Prior to the sampling |
Important reminder: You are also required to complete either the Laboratory Services Notification (LSN) (external link) or Notice to Operate or Reopen (external link). You may also be required to provide your building permit number to a Halton Region public health inspector.
For more information on small drinking water systems, please visit our Small Drinking Water Systems webpage.
Tobacco/vapour product retailers (including specialty vape stores and tobacconists)
A tobacco product retailer is any establishment that sells tobacco products and whose sale, display, and promotion is regulated by the Smoke-free Ontario Act, 2017 (external link) and its regulations. This includes tobacconists, which are retail establishments that meet the definition in the Smoke-free Ontario Act, 2017 (external link) and its regulations, and must register as a tobacconist with Halton Region Public Health.
A vapour product retailer is any establishment that sells vapour products or vapour product accessories, and whose sale, display, and promotion is regulated by the Smoke-free Ontario Act, 2017 (external link) and its regulations. This includes specialty vape stores, which are retail establishments that meet the definition in the Smoke-free Ontario Act, 2017 (external link) and its regulations, and must register as a specialty vape store with Halton Region Public Health.
When to notify Public Health
All tobacco or vapour product retailers are asked to complete the online notification form under the below listed circumstances. Additionally, the owner or operator of a tobacconist or specialty vape store is required by Ontario Regulation 268/18 (external link) to register with Public Health by completing the Application for Registration as a Tobacconist (external link) or Application for Registration as a Specialty Vape Store (external link).
| Situation | When to submit the form |
|---|---|
| Opening a new business to the public | Recommended at least 14 days before opening |
| Existing tobacconist or specialty vape store | Resubmit applicable forms once every 12 months before December 31 |
| Change in business ownership | Upon ownership change |
For more information on tobacco or vapour product retailers, please visit our Smoke-Free Ontario Act webpage.
Tanning services or ultraviolet light treatments for tanning (tanning beds)
Tanning bed businesses offer tanning services or treatments involving the application of ultraviolet light for tanning as defined in the Skin Cancer Prevention Act (Tanning Beds), 2013 (external link).
When to notify Public Health
The owner or operator of tanning beds is required by the Skin Cancer Prevention Act (Tanning Beds), 2013 (external link) to notify Public Health in the situations below. The online notification form can be used to meet this requirement.
| Situation | When to submit the form |
|---|---|
| Commencement of tanning services or treatments | Recommended at least 14 days before offering services or treatments |
Business licences and building permits
For more information on business licences or building permits, please contact your Local Municipality.