The Municipality of Meaford is responsible for issuing a wide variety of licences and permits. Whether you are starting a new building project or applying for a dog licence, Municipal staff are happy to help.

If you are not able to find what you're looking for, please contact the Municipality for assistance. 

Business

Taxi Licence 
Operators must obtain a license by completing the Taxicab Driver Licence Application, which includes questions about past license suspensions and driving or criminal offenses. Applicants must also provide criminal record and vulnerable sector checks. Submit applications to the Administrative Office at 21 Trowbridge Street West or via email to clerk@meaford.ca.

Fees:

  • Taxi Broker – Owner (new): $500.00
  • Taxi Broker – Owner (renewal): $125.00
  • Taxi Driver (new): $100.00
  • Taxi Driver (renewal): $75.00
  • Vehicle Inspection (new): $125.00
  • Vehicle Inspection (renewal): $100.00
  • Vehicle Inspection (transfer of licence): $50.00
Refreshment Vehicles Licence
Operators of food trucks or ice cream trucks must apply for a license, providing details about the vehicle, operation location, and any prior convictions. Additional requirements include:
  • Proof of zoning compliance with a location sketch
  • Building Department permit or approval (if applicable)
  • Fire Department inspection report (if applicable)
  • Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Entrance Permit or Operations Department approval
  • Health Unit compliance inspection report
  • Propane Fitter’s Certificate (TSSA) (if applicable)
  • Commercial General Liability Insurance (minimum $2 million) and vehicle insurance
  • Criminal Reference Check for each operator, owner, partner, and/or shareholder
  • Proof of property ownership or permission to operate on the property
  • Ontario Master Business Licence or Business Registration

Complete the Refreshment Vehicle Application and submit it to the Administrative Office or via email to clerk@meaford.ca.

Fees:

  • Refreshment Vehicle Class A (Chip Truck): $500.00
  • Refreshment Vehicle Class B (Catering Truck): $500.00
  • Refreshment Vehicle Class C (Hot Dog Cart): $500.00
  • Refreshment Vehicle Class D (Ice Cream): $250.00
  • Refreshment Vehicle Class E (Operates less than one month per year): $250.00
  • Relocation fee: $75.00
  • One-time, special event fee: $50.00
 Transient Traders Licence
Transient traders, or hawkers and peddlers, must apply for a license, providing business details, operation location, and proof of permission to operate on private or municipal property. Complete the Hawkers and Peddlers Licence Application, have it commissioned, and submit it to the Administrative Office or via email to clerk@meaford.ca.

Fees:

  • Resident: $275.00
  • Non-resident: $500.00
  • Short-term (up to 5 consecutive days per year): $300.00
 Personal Service Settings (PSS) Licence
Facilities offering services like tattooing, body piercing, and aesthetics must notify the  Grey Bruce Health Unit at least 14 days before opening, adding new services, reconstructing, renovating, or relocating. Notification can be completed online or by contacting the Health Unit at 519-376-9420. 
 Food Service Licence 
Food premises owners and operators are legally required to notify the  Grey Bruce Health Unit of their intent to operate. This includes establishments like restaurants, cafeterias, mobile premises, and catering companies. Complete an  Application to Establish a Food Premise through the Grey Bruce Health Unit or by contacting 519-376-9420. 
Sign Permits

The installation of Signs is regulated by the Sign By-law.   

Permits are required for various types of signs.  The following are links to the various applications:

Sign Permit Application

Temporary Sign Application

Sign Variance Request

 

Home and Property

 Building Permits 

The Municipality of Meaford requires building permits for various construction activities to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code and local regulations. As of January 1, 2025, the 2024 Building Code is in effect, with a transition period until March 31, 2025, allowing certain designs to adhere to the previous 2012 code.

Apply Here

Burn Permits 

Stay safe and enjoy responsible burning with Meaford's updated Open Air Burning By-law #2022-13

  • A permit number is required before starting any burn.
  • A separate permit must be obtained for each type of open air burn.
  • Only one fire is permitted to burn at any given time.

Apply Here

Learn about the different burn permits

 Entrance Permit

To pave, construct, alter, or add a driveway or entrance along a Municipal road, you must apply for an Entrance Permit.

Complete the Entrance Permit Application Form and submit it to roads@meaford.ca or the Municipal Office. Payments must be made by cheque, dropped off at the main municipal office (21 Trowbridge St West). Address the cheque to the Municipality of Meaford, and label the envelope to Transportation & Fleet Services – Entrance Permit Application, including a reference to the application (e.g., the address).

Hard copy applications, including a cheque, are also accepted.

While we strive for timely processing, we appreciate your patience if delays occur.

For entrances on County roads, please contact Grey County for their permit process.

Apply Here

Plumbing Application
Plumbing Application 
On-Site Sewage Application
On-Site Sewage Application 
 Dog Tags

In accordance with the Municipal By-laws 078-2013, as amended states: Every person who harbours or shelters a dog in the Municipality for a period in excess of seven(7) days in a calendar year, shall register their dog with the Municipality on or before March 31st of each year and pay the fees as prescribed.

Dog tags are used in the event that a licensed dog is found at-large. The Municipality will make every effort to reunite you with your dog. Licencing fees also support initiatives such as feeding and sheltering of stray dogs; providing emergency medical care for sick/injured stray dogs; immunization control and enforcement; enforcement of the Dog Owner's Liability Act; long term pounding/sheltering of unclaimed dogs and administration.

Apply Here

 

Lottery

Organizations must be active in the Municipality of Meaford, with proceeds benefiting the local community. They should have been operational for at least one year and possess a Canadian dollar trust account for lottery proceeds.

 Bingo
These events have a prize limit of up to $5,500. Applications require submitting a Bingo Hall Application Form, and a Regular and Special Bingo Report must be filed within 30 days of the licence expiry.
 Break Open Tickets

Applicants must complete the Break Open Ticket Application Form and submit a Break Open Ticket Report within 30 days of licence expiry.

 Raffle
These lotteries have a total prize limit of $50,000 or less. Applicants must complete the Raffle Application Form and submit a Raffle Lottery Report within 30 days of the licence expiry.
Bazaar
Bazaar lotteries may include games like wheels of fortune with a maximum bet of $2.00, raffles with prizes not exceeding $500, and bingo events with prizes up to $500. Specific forms for bazaar lotteries are available upon request from the Municipality. 

 

Marriage

 Marriage Licence 
To apply for a marriage licence, complete and sign the Marriage Licence Application with both parties. Bring the application to the Municipal Office (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday). At least one applicant must be present, and appointments are strongly recommended.

Provide two pieces of ID for both parties: original proof of identity (e.g., birth certificate or valid passport) and government-issued photo ID. Photocopies are not accepted, and non-English/French documents must be translated by a certified translator.

Pay the $140 licence fee by debit, cash, or cheque payable to the Municipality of Meaford.

If a PO box is listed as a mailing address, include the 911 address. For those living on a Canadian Armed Forces Base, provide room and barrack numbers. The application must specify the location of the ceremony, including the municipality and county.

Applicants divorced in Canada must include an original or court-certified Final Decree, Final Judgment, or Certificate of Divorce with an official seal and signature. Divorces outside Canada require specific documentation submitted to the Ministry of Government Services at least four weeks before the ceremony.

Applicants under 16 cannot marry. Those aged 17-18 need parental or guardian consent (request Form 6). Widows/widowers are not required to produce a death certificate.

Marriage licences are only valid for 90 days.

Apply Here

Learn about marriage cermonies preformed by the Municipal Clerk 

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