{"id":907350,"date":"2026-05-21T12:18:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T17:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/amherstburg-to-introduce-third-version-of-business-licence-bylaw\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T12:18:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T17:18:19","slug":"amherstburg-to-introduce-third-version-of-business-licence-bylaw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/21\/amherstburg-to-introduce-third-version-of-business-licence-bylaw\/","title":{"rendered":"Amherstburg to introduce third version of business licence bylaw"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=xXLDz2ttk9LVWIHzanWWKw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=0nFDc5U0gHEj3NagOjxbOQ 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=DkuCJylGRuw0pWMH9yrRTg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=kLvl0sEkd3bD26esh9UmSg 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=7DJXY6iMAZBg-o39zkHXnQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=prjxf-IrwgBhVrCjJGT_Zw 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=Aef2pLd6z5vkW8uyiCaQ2Q, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=liT8yGRIKiLC9Z2vfRF9yw 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=Q5fmoUBH1BdDFR7HdP7FWQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=RuOFeL9phtqx7lRbNc5VSg 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=Rk-LqFazdrNIgrnBvwe6xQ\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=Rk-LqFazdrNIgrnBvwe6xQ,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/windsorstar\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/amherstburg1_302490129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=EpdQgR0Dx3YWG8Kx6AIHiA 2x\" alt=\"amherstburg\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"900\" width=\"1200\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>Businesses line downtown Amherstburg, Wednesday, April 8, 2025. The town will reintroduce its controversial business licence bylaw at a council meeting April 13. (Brian MacLeod\/Windsor Star)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p data-async><span data-contrast=\"none\"><a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Amherstburg\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/windsorstar.com\/tag\/amherstburg\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" data-link-type=\"backlink\" href=\"https:\/\/windsorstar.com\/tag\/amherstburg\/\">Amherstburg<\/a> is taking a third crack at a business licensing bylaw on Monday with a \u201cless over-reaching\u201d proposal after passing and then rescinding a 2023 bylaw then rejecting a second proposed bylaw in early last year.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"134233117\":false,\"134233118\":false,\"335551550\":0,\"335551620\":0,\"335559738\":0,\"335559739\":360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Windsor Star\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.2.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-ws-new.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Windsor Star ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div data-auth-component id=\"auth-screen-form\" aria-live=\"assertive\">\n<h2>Sign In or Create an Account<\/h2>\n<p><span><\/span><span>or<\/span><span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The intent of the business licensing bylaw is to improve consumer safety and to recover costs associated with increased administration and inspections.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Businesses in the town pushed back strongly at previous attempts at a business licensing bylaw arguing it duplicated processes and imposed an onerous cost and administrative processes on small businesses, including recurring annual fees.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<div aria-labelledby=\"WindsorStarHeadlineNews845586338503928567411333102829568\" data-account-id=\"b9d3df2fccd108b5eff3c44f573b2cd6\" data-aqa=\"widget-newsletter\" data-newsletter=\"single\" data-newsletter-component data-target-list=\"WS_HeadlineNews\" data-widget=\"newsletter\">\n<p>By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>But an administrative report council will consider Monday says the newest bylaw is less burdensome on businesses.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cThis bylaw is less over-reaching because bylaw enforcement is not conducting any inspection(s) unless there are reasonable grounds or evidence to suggest a by-law violation exists,\u201d the report says.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cThe\u00a0licensing\u00a0department will no longer be involved in co-ordinating any required\u00a0fire or\u00a0building\u00a0inspections because that responsibility and task\u00a0lies\u00a0with those departments.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Fire and health inspections and associated costs were among the major complaints from business owners who said they were already subject to those inspections.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Businesses not previously registered with the town would pay a one-time licensing fee of $87. Taxi operators, taxi drivers, temporary vendor site operators, stationary refreshment vehicles and mobile refreshments vehicles would pay an annual renewal fee.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cThis bylaw is designed to be less complex and more affordable based on it primarily. being a registry,\u201d the report\u00a0says.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cAs part of the\u00a0initial\u00a0business licensing application, the applicant would\u00a0identify\u00a0whether or, not they have met all legislative requirements related to\u00a0fire\u00a0code,\u00a0building\u00a0code,\u00a0health\u00a0unit regulations or the requirements of any other governing agency.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p data-async>Sarah Brush, owner of Speck\u2019s Restaurant in <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Amherstburg\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/windsorstar.com\/tag\/amherstburg\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" data-link-type=\"backlink\" href=\"https:\/\/windsorstar.com\/tag\/amherstburg\/\">Amherstburg<\/a>, was a vocal opponent of earlier versions of the licensing bylaw. But the newest version is more acceptable, she said.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m pleased to say that the town listened, she said Friday. \u201cThe updated bylaw is much more reasonable. It\u2019s now a one-time application fee of $87 for brick and mortar businesses and it helps create a proper business registry for the town.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p data-async>\u201cMore importantly, it ensures that businesses are lined with the Windsor-<a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Essex County\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/windsorstar.com\/tag\/essex-county\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" data-link-type=\"backlink\" href=\"https:\/\/windsorstar.com\/tag\/essex-county\/\">Essex County<\/a> Health Unit and fire codes requirements, which benefit both businesses, business owners, the community as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The first version of the bylaw was approved in December 2023, but met with stiff resistance from local business owners as they were notified of the fee schedule in early 2024. Some businesses faced an initial fee of up to $350 followed by $300 annual charges.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/windsorstar.com\/news\/amherstburg-to-reintroduce-controversial-business-licence-bylaw\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Businesses line downtown Amherstburg, Wednesday, April 8, 2025. The town will reintroduce its controversial business licence bylaw at a council meeting April 13. (Brian MacLeod\/Windsor Star) Article content Amherstburg is taking a third crack at a business licensing bylaw on Monday with a \u201cless over-reaching\u201d proposal after passing and then rescinding a 2023 bylaw then<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":907351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[140092,22171],"tags":[140091,9195],"class_list":["post-907350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-amherstburg","category-introduce","tag-amherstburg","tag-introduce"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/907350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=907350"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/907350\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/907351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=907350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=907350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=907350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}