Positioned in a region celebrated for its natural beauty alongside the Ottawa River and home to the substantial Garrison Petawawa, the Town of Petawawa presents a significant opportunity for new businesses. Our family-focused and active residents create a consistent demand for diverse goods and services. Astute entrepreneurs will recognize the inherent advantages offered by the area’s quality housing, skilled workforce, and notable disposable income. Explore our resources and find your starting point for establishing a successful business.
Thinking about starting a business?
Being a successful entrepreneur requires a lot of planning, innovation, and the willingness to take risks. It requires hard work and dedication but if you’re up to the challenge, there are many potential benefits!
Looking to start or buy a business in Petawawa?
We have gathered some resources which can help you with your business planning. Some municipal level requirements for business operations must conform to municipal zoning, the Official Plan, and by-laws that regulate business in a given community. Since these requirements are not universally the same it is always best to consult with the municipality prior to signing any lease or purchase agreements. We are here to help your business succeed!
Need assistance?
Reach out to our Economic Development Department
Business 101
Starting a business requires an informed plan and understanding of the feasibility of your product or service in the marketplace. Here are some key milestones and resources to consider as you undertake your entrepreneurial journey.Â
Create a Business Plan
Do you have a Feasible Business Idea?
To determine the response to this query, consider the following:
- Is there a demand for your product/service?
- Is there a gap/underserviced/niche segment you are seeking as your target customer base?
- What price will the market bear for your product/service?
- What differentiates your business from others and why would customers choose you?
Do you have a Business Plan?
Answering the questions above are the fundamentals of creating a business plan. A business plan, whether as a start-up or a growth plan, helps you to truly identify your customer, hone in on the unique features/qualities of your business product/service, and help you determine the business structure, name, and operational needs. A business plan is vital in the preparation and planning for finances and cash flow for your business. Taking the time to craft an informed business plan is really the foundation needed for a solid longstanding business.
Need help creating your Business Plan?Â
Enterprise Renfrew County provides free information and advisory service for anyone interested in starting their own business and for existing small business operators. The office is a Canada Business Ontario (CBO) regional access site. This joint federal-provincial-municipal initiative provides useful information to new and established entrepreneurs about government programs, services, and regulations on starting and sustaining an enterprise in Ontario.
An experienced Business Consultant is available, by appointment, to meet with you at the center or at your place of business if preferred. They can help with most questions about small businesses and provide you with the information you need to get your business going and keep it running successfully. If there are questions they can’t answer they will steer you to the sources of more specialized information.
Business Structure
When determining the structure of your business, consider each of the following formats:
- Sole Proprietorship
- In a sole proprietorship, the owner is 100% liable (legally responsible) for the business, including all debts and actions. The business income tax is filed with the owner’s personal income.
- Partnership
- In a partnership, each partner is wholly liable for the business. Debts and profits are shared among the partners. It is strongly recommended that a Partnership Agreement be drawn up by a lawyer.
- Corporation
- A corporation is a distinct legal entity where owners have legal liability up to the limit of their investment. Debts and profits are shared among shareholders. Incorporating can be complicated so legal and accounting assistance is recommended.
Choose a Business Name
You want to select a business name that identifies the product/service you are providing, is easy to pronounce, and does not sound too close to that of competitor brands. You also want to ensure that you can legally use the name. Â
You can use the Enhanced Business Name Search through Service Ontario to determine if a business name has already been registered in Ontario. You can also search the Newly Upgraded Automated Name Search (NUANS) database, a Canada-wide corporate business name, and trademark registry. These resources can help to conduct preliminary searches. Once you have settled on a name, to be sure it is not copyrighted, you may wish to consult a legal professional.Â
Register your Ontario Business
You will want to register your business with federal, provincial, and municipal authorities, depending on your business model. Â
New and existing businesses must create a My Ontario Account to access government services and documents related to their business. Don’t have a My Ontario Account?Â
The Ontario Business Registry (OBR) allows businesses and not-for-profit corporations to complete over 90 transactions online, including registering, incorporating, and updating their information.
Apply for an HST Number
Not all businesses are required to apply for a HST number. There are pros and cons to consider before going ahead with the registration.
You should register for a HST number if (1) you provide taxable supplies in Canada AND (2) your total revenues from taxable supplies (before expenses) are over $30,000 annually.
- Con:Â You will be required to calculate, collect and remit HST payments on a regular basis.
- Pro: Having a HST number allows you to claim eligible business expenses and may open opportunities for you to provide services to businesses that require an HST registration. Consider most government agencies.Â
Permits and Licences
If you are a current business owner or plan to open a new business, it’s important to know and understand the applicable regulations. Depending on the type and location of your business, you may be required to obtain permits or licences. There are tools available to help you acquire the appropriate documents to operate your business in the Town of Petawawa.
For municipal permits and licence information, please contact the Economic Development Officer at 613-687-5536. If in doubt, reach out to your local representative.
For other business-affiliated permits and licence information, you can use the free resource BizPal.
Municipal Requirements
Per By-Law 650/10, all new businesses must complete and submit a Business Registration Form to the Town before opening.
The purpose of this registration process is to:
- Establish early communication between the Town and business owners;
- Confirm the proposed business location complies with the Official Plan, Zoning, Building Code, and Fire Code;
- Connect business owners with available municipal programs and supports.
There is no fee to register your business.
Home Business
Starting a Business in your Home?
Before you begin, it’s important to understand the local zoning requirements.
In Petawawa, there are two types of home-based businesses:
- Home Occupation
- Home Industry
Review the zoning definitions of your home property to see which category your business fits into and if the business concept is eligible to operate from your home.
All businesses are required to register with the Town.
To register, please contact our Economic Development Department for assistance.
Note: Depending on the type of product or service you plan to create or sell from your home, you may also be required to submit additional documentation or obtain specific licences.
Home Occupation
Any occupation for gain or support, which is carried on as an accessory use within a dwelling unit and operated by members of the one family residing in the dwelling unit. Such home occupation uses may include a service or repair shop; a personal service shop; the office or consulting room of a doctor, dentist, chiropractor, drug-less practitioner, lawyer, real estate agent, insurance agent, planner, architect, photographer, teacher, music or dance instructor or engineer, but does not include a clinic, a hospital, a nursing home, a tea room, kennel, a taxi business or a small internal combustion engine repair shop.
A home occupation shall be permitted in any Zone provided such home occupation conforms to the following provisions:Â
- The use shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit and carried on by the person(s) residing in the dwelling unit. One employee, other than a resident of the premises, will be permitted to be employed.
- There shall be no external display or advertising other than a non-illuminated sign not more than 0.3 of a square metre in area, to indicate to persons outside that any part of the dwelling unit is being used for a purpose other than residential. (Permit Required)
- Not more than 25% of the dwelling unit area shall be used for the purpose of home occupation uses.
- Such home occupation shall be clearly secondary to the main residential use and there shall be no change to the outside appearance of the dwelling unit or premises or any visible evidence of the conduct of a home occupation.
- There shall be no storage of equipment, vehicles, or supplies associated with the home occupation outside the dwelling.
- The use shall not require additional off-street parking spaces for clients or customers of the home occupation.
- The use shall not generate additional pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond that normal to the neighbourhood in which it is located.
- No equipment or process shall be used in a home occupation that creates excessive noise, vibration, glare, fumes, or odour detrimental to the health, safety, and general welfare of persons residing in the neighbourhood.
- Where instruction is carried on, no more than six pupils are in attendance at any one time.
- A private garage shall not be used for a home occupation.
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Note: When submitting a business registration for home occupation you will need to provide a sketch of your home layout indicating the location of the business space within your home with some rough details so staff can determine that the area for the business is not more than 25% of the liveable space. For any business type that allows the public into their space, a fire inspection will also be required.
Home Industry
A gainful occupation including carpentry, electrical shop, woodworking, window framing, welding, plumbing, machine or auto repair shop, riding stables and a kennel with a maximum of four outdoor runs; a service shop; or a storage building for school buses, boats or snowmobiles and conducted in whole or in part in an accessory building to a single detached dwelling or to a permitted farm use.
Where a home industry is a permitted use (rural designation only), such home industry shall conform to the following provisions:
- No more than two persons, other than a person(s) residing on the premises, shall be employed in the home industry.
- There shall be no external display or advertising other than a non-illuminated sign not more than 0.5 square metres in area. (Permit Required)
- Such home industry shall not be a hazardous or obnoxious trade, and shall not create or become a public nuisance.
- Such home industry is clearly secondary to the main use and does not change the residential character of any dwelling, or the agricultural character of any farm unit.
- The parking requirements of this By-law shall apply to any home industry use.
- No goods, wares, or merchandise shall be offered or exposed for sale or rent on the premises unless such goods, wares, and merchandise are either:
- (a) incidental to the home industry; or
- (b) arts and crafts produced on the premises; or
- (c) farm produce resulting from the main use.
- Not more than 10.0 percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit shall be dedicated to the home industry.
- Accessory buildings may be erected, altered, or used for the purpose of a home industry provided that not more than fifty (50) square metres of the gross floor area of all accessory buildings shall be used for the purpose of a home industry
Home Based Food Business
If you intend to operate a home-based food business, the provincial government has a useful summary resource entitled selling low-risk food info sheet, which can provide entrepreneurs with assistance. Please note that you will be required to get approval and a business licence from the local health unit (Renfrew County and District Health Unit) and submit that licence with a business registration to the town.
Renfrew County and District Health Unit website has information on food premise inspections. You can also call 613-732-3629 extension 505 with any questions about food premise inspections.Â
Please note that even if you can meet the Health Department requirements necessary to open a food business in your home, you must also adhere to the municipal requirements.
Examples of Typical Home-Based Food Businesses
Common home-based food businesses include:
Catering services that prepare and deliver meals under contract
Specialty bakers who create custom cakes or baked goods for delivery to clients
These businesses typically operate by preparing food at home and providing it off-site.
For clarification on whether your food business idea is eligible to operate from a residential property, please contact municipal staff for guidance.
Alternative Business Models
Not sure where your business idea fits?
If you’re planning something unique—like partnering with another business to offer a new service, operating a shared space, or adding a food truck—it’s important to confirm how (and if) your idea fits within local regulations.
These types of business models often involve additional considerations such as:
Zoning permissions
Licensing requirements
Parking and site usage
Health or food safety regulations (for food trucks or food prep)
To get started, connect with our Economic Development Department. We’ll help guide you through the process and determine what’s possible based on your specific plans.
Street Food Vendor Program (Mobile Food)
There is an opportunity to operate a mobile trailer for the purposes of offering seasonal food in our community under some criteria we term – street food vendor requirements.
Street Food Vendors can exist on both commercial and municipal property. However, there are specific requirements for both and neither can occur without municipal consultation, approval, and authorisation. If you are interested in operating a mobile food service in our community please do contact our Economic Development Officer.
Note: A vacant parcel of property will not qualify for a food truck as a food truck is deemed an accessory use to an existing commercial business. No food truck is permitted in a residential zone.
In preparation for your consideration of a site location, the following items will need to be provided:
- Letter of approval from the property owner. (applies to any commercial locations)
- A sketch (site plan) of the property with distance measurements for the placement of the trailer on the property and proximity to the utility connections. The site plan must note all supporting operational elements and structures, including seating arrangements for clients. Parking for the food truck must be also shown in the plan. You can’t take away any necessary parking for the existing business so there must be sufficient parking for both businesses to operate. NOTE: there is a 3 metre distance from a commercial adjacent lot line and other structures. From this site plan, municipal staff will evaluate if the site is compliant and can have a food truck based on the necessary provisions.
- The food trailer/truck must be inspected by the local health unit RCDHU.  Renfrew County and District Health Unit website information on food premise inspections. You can also call 613-732-3629 extension 505 with any questions about food premise inspections. Here also is a Fact Sheet and checklist with information on Opening a Food Premise.
- The municipality will require a 2M minimum liability insurance certificate
- The municipality will require proof of vehicle ownership
- Food trailer/truck must be inspected by our local Fire Department. Here is what our Fire Department will be looking for:
- Units with propane will require TSSA certification
- Electrical hooks up and installations are to be inspected by Ontario Hydro
- Fryers will be equipped with fire damper covers
- Fryers will be equipped with exhaust hoods with operational fans
- Clean Ductworks
- Exterior Cylinder connection points
- Fire Extinguishers, annually inspected. A 5lbs ABC type Fire Extinguisher and any vehicles with fryers an additional Class K Wet chemical or dry chemical portable.
- The town of Petawawa reserves the right to enter and inspect refreshment vehicles
This list is not exhaustive of what may be required but will give an overview of requirements.
Container Market
Looking for a Place to Launch or Grow Your Business?
The Container Market Program offers temporary business space designed to support a range of operations—perfect for entrepreneurs without a storefront or those unsure where they can legally operate.
This flexible market space can accommodate:
- Farm product sales
- Food trucks
- Container unit storefronts
- Tent-in vendors
If you’re looking to sell products or services and need a low-risk, accessible space to test or grow your business, the Container Market might be the right fit.
Transient Trader
Selling Door‑to‑Door in the Community?
If you plan to go door‑to‑door to sell products or services to residents, rules and permissions apply. You will need to work with the municipality to either obtain a transient trader licence or explore other options.Â
Business Assistance & Advisory Services
These local organizations and agencies are available to support your business needs. Whether you are seeking assistance starting out, finding a location to establish your business, networking opportunities or financial program information.
Renfrew County Economic Development
The primary function of the Renfrew County Economic Development, a division of the Development and Property Department, is the promotion and delivery of Economic Development in the County of Renfrew. Programs in this regard are undertaken independently or in conjunction with lower-tier development department partners or individual municipalities. The focus of these initiatives is related to industrial/business sectors within the County.
Several databases are maintained ranging from business directories to demographics, available properties, and recent news. Custom research for specific information required by site selectors can be handled quickly by available research staff. In today’s “connected” environment, the choice is no longer where does one has to live to do business, but how can one do business where one wants to live.
They can help you bring your business to Renfrew County and can assist you with:
- Resettlement and business startup counseling
- One-on-one business consultation
- Networking and support services
- Connections to potential employers
- Matchmaking for business ideas and opportunities
Enterprise Renfrew County
Enterprise Renfrew County provides free information and advisory service for anyone interested in starting their own business and for existing small business operators. The Office is a Canada Business Ontario (CBO) regional access site. This joint federal-provincial-municipal initiative provides useful information to new and established entrepreneurs about government programs, services, and regulations on starting and sustaining an enterprise in Ontario.
An experienced Business Consultant is available, by appointment, to meet with you at the centre or at your place of business if preferred. They can help with most questions about small businesses and provide you with the information you need to get your business going and keep it running successfully. If there are questions they can’t answer they will steer you to the sources of more specialized information.
Community Futures Development Corporation
The Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation is a provincially incorporated non-profit organization that is governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors. They have been helping small businesses in the Renfrew County area since 1986. Their approach is simple. They look for local solutions that fit the challenges of the local economy.
Their objectives are as follows:
- To promote and participate in the development of community plans and strategies for addressing socio-economic change, development of local economies, and job creation.
- To provide financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs experiencing difficulties in obtaining traditional financing for the development, expansion, or restructuring of their operations where the aforementioned objectives, new employment opportunities, or the introduction of new business initiatives are involved.
- To become self-sufficient in the provision of loans to enhance regional economic diversification and job creation.
- To provide skilled business advice to clients.
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In particular, they provide:
- Strategic community planning and socio-economic development;
- Support for community-based projects;
- Business information and planning services; and
- Access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises
Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce
The mission of the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce (UOVCC) is to be a coordinating body providing a cooperative environment to support member businesses in the quest for growth and economic success by providing leadership, education, advocacy, communication, interaction opportunities, and tangible financial benefits.Â
The UOVCC is a member-based service. Members receive discounts on local, provincial, and international programs and company discounts through affinity programs.Â
The UOVCC celebrates and recognizes our local businesses in a yearly gala, and provides network opportunities and training opportunities for the membership and business community at large.
Ottawa Valley Tourist Association
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Labour Market Group
Funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, the group works to provide accurate and timely labour market information to employers, job seekers and organizations that use labour market data for strategic planning purposes. The group also provides annual labour market reports that outline trends in the local labour force using statistical data from several sources, as well an intelligence gathered from local employers and employment agencies.