Potential change to personal service setting licensing
Consultation has concluded
The City of Brantford currently requires a business licence for personal service settings that offer invasive services such as body piercing, electrolysis, scarification, microneedling, and tattooing.
The City received a request from the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) to expand licensing to include non-invasive personal service settings that offer services like nail care, hair cutting, and waxing.
Currently, the licensing process for personal service settings involves the following steps:
- The business submits the application and fee to the City.
- The application is reviewed by the relevant teams to ensure public health and safety (Building, Fire, Health).
- Inspectors may visit the property if necessary to review the application and provide comments related to its approval.
- Once approved, a license is issued.
The City of Brantford licenses several different categories of businesses to support public health and safety, and to promote consumer protection. Each business licence application is received by the City Clerk’s Department and reviewed for completeness. Once the application is deemed complete, it is then circulated to the necessary inspection teams (e.g.: Building, Fire, Health, etc.) to review that the appropriate zoning, fire prevention and protection systems, and public health requirements are in place. Upon receiving comments/approvals from the necessary departments, a business licence will be issued from the Clerk’s Department.
The application fees cover the cost of licensing inspections, reviews, and administration. Business licenses are valid until March 31 annually and renewals can be completed online.
Application fees
- New Licence: $450 (pro-rated after October 1st)
- Annual Renewal: $224
Why is BCHU looking to integrate all personal service settings into the licensing program?
The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) is requesting non-invasive services be included in the City’s established licensing program so that more businesses will be inspected by the BCHU, which will reduce potential risks to the public.
Inspecting all personal service settings will allow the BCHU to proactively address any infection control concerns and allow operators to correct infractions before they result in an infection.
10 Complaints in 2023
- 3 for invasive services (e.g.: microneedling, tattoo, etc.)
- 4 for non-invasive services (e.g. manicure, pedicures)
- 3 for non-invasive services (waxing, hair cutting, barbering)
- 7 of 10 businesses were not inspected by the BCHU prior to receiving a complaint, as no business licence was required and the operator had not arranged for an inspection.
- 1 of 7 businesses confirmed to be the source of an infection
10 Complaints to date in 2024
- 1 for invasive services
- 9 for non-invasive (e.g. manicure, pedicure, etc.)
- 1 resulted in confirmed source of infection
We want to hear from you!
Please share your thoughts on this potential change by Monday, October 14, 2024, so that comments may be compiled for consideration by staff and City Council.
This is ridiculous. There were so few complaints, and only 1 was confirmed to be the source of infection. It doesn't even say whether the invasive or non-invasive business were the source of the infection!! No mention of what the infection is either, it could be the common cold for all we know!
This is such a transparent attempt to squeeze $500 out of people. Your services aren't necessary for manicures or basic haircuts, go away.
Absolute nonsense! So you got a few complaints! Honestly the government needs to have their hands in and all over everything. Go away!! We’re talking about cutting hair and nails here. Pretty soon you’ll have to have a license for your own self care at home!!