When you are planning a new business, there is always going to be the issue of permitting. Various levels of government have jurisdiction over different aspects of your business and will require you to jump though some hoops before you can open your doors.
Imagine for a moment that you want to start a little restaurant. Nothing fancy: a kitchen, some tables and chairs, a few wait staff and a cook. Who could possibly object to that?
While they won’t object to your business idea, they may shut you down if you don’t get the permitting figured out before you start. There are a number of different permits that you may have thought of, but there are probably a few that you hadn’t. The ones that come to mind immediately are a food service permit and a liquor license. These are merely the tip of the regulatory iceberg.
Your chosen location will likely require renovations before you open the doors, therefore you will need all of the different construction related permits. If you are opening your restaurant in a heritage designated building or neighbourhood, this will require additional permits. Want a sign on the front of your restaurant? Get a permit first. How about an awning? That needs one too. Thinking about moving some of those chairs outside? You guessed it: patio permit.
Don’t be intimidated. People do this, and while it can be confusing, it is actually navigable. If you have a regulatory section in your business plan and are ready for permitting, it will go much more smoothly than if you try to ignore it.