Build a Business · Permits & registration checklist

Permits & registration checklist

How this differs: this lists what you legally need to open (registrations, licences, permits). For the full picture for your choices (costs, tax, approvals, market, labour, 12-month timeline and forecast), see the Business starter plan.

A personal checklist with links to the official source for each requirement. Your ticks are saved only in this browser.

Workshop or light industrial in Dufferin County


  • Orangeville & Area SBEC · Official source

  • ServiceOntario · Official source

  • Canada Revenue Agency · Official source

  • Your municipality (see community list) · Official source

  • Your municipality (see community list) · Official source

  • WhyDufferin funding finder · Official source

  • Dufferin Board of Trade · Official source

  • WhyDufferin utilities guide (links to each utility) · Official source

Requirements change and some depend on your exact location and activity. Confirm each item with the office linked. Not legal advice. Checked Oct 20, 2026.

Industry & workforce Verified fact

Verified public data for this type of business in Dufferin, with source and date.

Business counts Verified fact

IndustryNAICS codeDufferin
Construction23376
Repair and maintenance81182

Business locations with employees, January 2026. Business locations with employees, counted where each establishment is located. Excludes businesses without employees (sole proprietors, most home businesses). Source: Statistics Canada, January 2026 (released 2026-08-14).

NOC = National Occupational Classification, Canada's standard job codes used for wage data. NAICS = North American Industry Classification System, the standard industry codes used for business counts. Codes link to the official Statistics Canada definitions (NOC 2021 Version 1.0, NAICS Canada 2022 Version 1.0).

Census industry employment Verified fact

Construction employs 11.3% of the labour force living in Dufferin and 7.3% in Ontario.

Share of the employed labour force living in the area (by place of residence), 2021 Census. Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 (income: 2020).

Wages for key occupations Verified fact

OccupationNOC codeLowMedianHighOntario median
Electricians (except industrial and power system)72200$20.00$36.00$52.00$34.00
Plumbers72300$20.00$32.50$48.08$32.50
Carpenters72310$23.50$32.50$48.00$32.00
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics72402$22.00$39.00$59.01$37.00
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers72410$18.75$30.00$43.27$30.00
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics72401$22.00$35.00$51.19$35.00
Residential and commercial installers and servicers73200$18.00$25.00$40.00$25.00
Welders and related machine operators72106$21.00$27.66$37.00$28.00

Hourly wages, economic region ER3540 Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie (includes Dufferin), Job Bank 2025. "–" = not published for the region. Source: Employment and Social Development Canada, 2025 wages (mostly Labour Force Survey 2023–2024), revised 2025-11-19.

NOC = National Occupational Classification, Canada's standard job codes used for wage data. NAICS = North American Industry Classification System, the standard industry codes used for business counts. Codes link to the official Statistics Canada definitions (NOC 2021 Version 1.0, NAICS Canada 2022 Version 1.0).

Dufferin at a glance Verified fact

  • Commuting: 69.3% of commuters with a usual workplace work outside their own municipality.
  • Labour force participation 69.3%, unemployment 10%.
  • Median household income (2020) $108,000.
  • Renter households 17.5%; median tenant shelter cost $1,300/month.
  • CMHC rent data is published for Orangeville only (average $1,532, October 2025).

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 (income: 2020); Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, October 2025.

Internet and transit Verified fact

Broadband: in 50 of 58 ISED hexagons in Dufferin, more than 75% of households can get 50/10 Mbps.

  • Melancthon and Mulmur: Redickville, Honeywood, Black Bank, Ruskview, Terra Nova, Kilgorie, Horning's Mills, Whitfield, Springwater Lakes · 665 homes and businesses · Complete (SWIFT)
  • Amaranth and Mono: Laurel, Camilla, Salem · 638 homes and businesses · Complete, August 2022 (SWIFT)
  • Mulmur: Mansfield and around Mansfield Ski Club · 308 homes and businesses · Complete (SWIFT)
  • Marsville, Orton, Prices Corner, Craigsholme · 148 homes and businesses · Complete (SWIFT)
  • East Garafraxa: Garafraxa Woods · 107 homes and businesses · Complete (SWIFT)
  • Orangeville and Shelburne fibre to the home · Under way (Wightman construction updates)
  • Mono fibre-to-the-home upgrade (consent canvassing by FusionTech) · Under way (Town of Mono notice)

Providers: Wightman Telecom 1-888-477-2177 (check) · Rogers 1-888-764-3771 (check) · EH!tel Networks 519-594-0946 (check) · NFTC (North Frontenac Telephone Company) 1-888-638-3575 (check) · Cogeco 1-866-261-4447 (check) · Bell 1-866-394-6331 (check). All provider contacts

ISED hexagons (~24 km²) assigned by centre; share of hexagons where more than 75% of households can get 50/10 Mbps. Source: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, files dated 2026-05-05; provider details checked 2026-10-20 on official sites.

GO Transit: 19 stops, 37 Orangeville / Brampton, up to 12 departures a day at the busiest stop (GTFS feed 20261005110625).

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