Send the address first. Requirements change by location.

Toronto

Toronto food-premise projects can involve zoning, building and mechanical review, Toronto Public Health plan review, licensing and a pre-opening health inspection. Early plan coordination reduces the risk of rebuilding completed work.

Early planning checks

• Confirm permitted use and any zoning review before committing to the unit.
• Coordinate equipment, sinks, handwash basins, storage, waste and washrooms in the plan set.
• Submit food-premise plans to Toronto Public Health before construction or renovation begins.

Mississauga & Peel

Mississauga requires a Zoning Certificate of Occupancy for a new restaurant, and restaurant types can have different parking, separation and drive-through rules. Peel Public Health should also be notified about a new or altered food business.

Early planning checks

• Confirm restaurant use and obtain the required Zoning Certificate of Occupancy.
• Review whether the alteration requires building, plumbing, HVAC or kitchen-exhaust drawings.
• Notify Peel Public Health and coordinate the food-premise floor-plan review.

York Region

Food-premise projects in Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and surrounding York municipalities begin with the local property and use review. York Region Public Health asks new operators to notify the health unit and submit floor plans before opening.

Early planning checks

• Confirm the proposed restaurant or food-production use with the local municipality.
• Show room dimensions, equipment, sinks, washrooms, ventilation and grease-management elements in the review set.
• Notify York Region Public Health and coordinate the proposed floor plan before the work is complete.

Durham & the eastern corridor

Projects east of Toronto cross different municipal and public-health jurisdictions. Durham Region requires new food businesses to submit a food-premises application, while Port Hope-area projects fall under Lakelands Public Health notification and inspection requirements.

Early planning checks

• Identify the municipality and public-health unit from the exact project address.
• Share the proposed use, floor plan, equipment and renovation scope before opening.
• Keep municipal, fire, landlord and health-review responsibilities visible in the project schedule.

Halton, Hamilton & Niagara

Projects west of Toronto require municipal review and the relevant health-unit process. Halton and Niagara guidance connects food-premise operations to Ontario Regulation 493/17. Niagara recommends consulting the health unit before construction or renovation begins.

Early planning checks

• Confirm the local zoning, building and fire-review path before finalizing the unit plan.
• Coordinate food-safety requirements with the applicable health unit and the actual operation type.
• Separate landlord, municipal, regulated-trade and owner responsibilities before pricing.