Starting a Business

The Town of Hanover recognizes the needs of business and supports the entrepreneurial spirit of small business! Town of Hanover Comprehensive Zoning By-law defines a "Home Occupation" as a business conducted entirely within a dwelling that is zoned Residential Type 1 (R1) and is operated only by the occupant(s) of the private residence, provided they can comply with the following conditions:

1. such home occupation is clearly secondary to and compatible with the principal use of the dwelling for residential purposes;
2. no external alteration of the dwelling shall be permitted such as the inclusion of any specialized structure, ramps or oversize entrances which will change the character of the dwelling unit as a private residence;
3. there shall be no external display of goods, materials, wares or merchandise, or exterior advertising other than a legal sign to indicate to persons outside that the dwelling or lot is being used for other than residential purposes.
4. such home occupation shall not create a nuisance or hazard to neighbours by reason of noise emission, vibration, smoke, dust, fumes, odour, heat, humidity, glare, debris, refuse, fire, lighting, interference with radio or television reception or hours of operation;
5. such home occupation shall not result in volumes of vehicular traffic or on-street parking which cause the disruption of normal activities of adjacent residential properties;
6. there shall be no use of municipal services such as roads, sanitary and storm sewers, water supply and utilities, such as hydro, gas or the generation of waste and refuse beyond that normal to the use of property for residential purposes;
7. there shall be no mechanical or other equipment used, except that which is customarily used in dwellings for domestic or household purposes;
8. no outdoor storage of materials or goods in support of such home occupation shall be permitted;
9. not more than 25% of the gross floor area of the dwelling shall be used for the purposes of the home occupation;
10. an animal kennel shall not be deemed to be a home occupation;
11. such home occupation shall meet all of the requirements of this by-law, including the parking provisions;
12. no person, other than an occupant is engaged in canvassing, delivering or as a go-between in distributing merchandise to customers;
13. (m) there are no goods, wares or merchandise visually exposed for sale or rent on the premises.

Call 519.364.2780 x 222 to ensure your use is permitted under the Town’s zoning regulations.

If you decide to erect a small sign notifying customers of your business, the following guidelines should be adhered to:

1. One (1) sign is permitted providing it is no larger than .745 square meters (8.0 square feet) in size. The sign may be suitably placed on the building or in the front yard, providing the top of the sign is not more than 1 meter (3.28 feet) above the ground level, and back a minimum of 3 meters (9.84 feet) from the front and side property line.
2. No person shall erect any sign in a Residential Type 1 (R1) zone which is mechanized in any way or internally illuminated or for any wall (fascia) sign does not project any greater than 4 inches.

It is now a requirement that personal service setting owners and operators notify the Health Unit of their  intention to operate a personal service setting at least 14 days before commencing the operation, providing new services and construction or renovation. Written notification is to include name, contact information, location, and a list of services that will be provided at the personal service setting.  

Personal service settings are premises at which personal services are offered where there is a risk of exposure to blood or body fluids and includes, but are not limited to: 

• Haridressing/barbering
• Tattooing, body piercing/modification
• Nail services
• Electrolysis, waxing and hair removal
• Micropigmentation
• Microblading
• Facials/microdermabrasion
• Eyelash extensions/tinting
• Other aesthetic services

Personal service setting operators can notify the Grey Bruce Health Unit electronicaly at https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Health/Infectious-Diseases/Beauty-and-Body-Art/PSS-Notice-of-Intent  or by phone at 519.376.9420 ext. 6.

Effective July 1, 2018 the Food Premises regulation made pursuant to the Health Protection and Promotion Act was amended to require health unit notification of an intention to commence operation of a food premise.

Food premise operators are to provide written notice of their intention to operate along with their name, contact information and location of the food premise in the notice.

Further information can be obtained from the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 519.376.9420 ext. 1252. 

The application form can be obtained online at https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Your-Environment/Food-Safety/Legislative-Requirements/Establish-a-Food-Premise