Opening or renovating a food business

The City ensures a high level of food safety in area restaurants, cafeterias, and other food premises is maintained through regular inspections. Public health inspectors monitor all aspects of food operation to confirm that businesses are complying with provincial regulations. The inspectors also make sure any deficiencies are quickly corrected.

If you are thinking of opening a food business, or renovating an existing one, you must first obtain approval from Ottawa Public Health. This ensures that:

  • All food safety requirements are in place before any capital expenditure has been incurred
  • Safe, quality food is being offered to the public

Detailed information on the factors you need to consider can be found in our Guide to Operating a Food Premises. Please notify Ottawa Public Health by submitting the following documents:

  • A completed application form
  • A sample menu or description of the foods to be prepared and/or offered for sale
  • Three copies of the floor plan clearly indicating the location of all equipment and the activities to be undertaken in each area, e.g. storage, food preparation, dishwashing.

The documents can be mailed to, or dropped off at, our offices located at:
Ottawa Public Health
Environment & Health Protection Division
100 Constellation Crescent, 8th floor East (26-46)
Nepean, ON, K2G 6J8

When written approval has been issued, a satisfactory opening inspection of the premises has to be arranged and completed before you can open for business.

For further information please contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744, ext. 23748.
W3004704