Local businesses are the beating heart of our community, and our Business Recognition program is our way of celebrating them. Businesses may be recognized for their years in service in 5 year milestones (5, 10, 15, and beyond). All are important for the value, vitality, and prosperity they provide to our community.
The Municipality of Meaford is committed to supporting and engaging the businesses and organizations within our community, and celebrating their critical contributions.
Learn more about the businesses that we’ve spotlighted since the program began!
Searching for the gaps and opportunities that matter to your business? Looking for important community facts and figures? Specific to Meaford’s local economy, the information provided here is a valuable resource for:
Informing development and land use planning
Attracting community investment
Implementing growth strategies
Supporting our local business sectors
Take a peek at our economic profile to get a full lay of the business land!
Economic Snapshot
The Economic Snapshot provides an overview of the demographics within the municipality, including age profile, home ownership types, dwelling income and labour force summary.
The Economic Development Strategic Plan was approved by the Municipality of Meaford Council on July 27, 2020 as a four-year implementation action plan that delivers a road map of activities which strengthen the local economy.
Long-established business? Entrepreneur just setting up shop? Whatever your mission, our economic development and community growth department is here to connect you, with networking, support, information and resources at every step of the way.
Whether you’re launching a new venture, growing an existing one, or considering making Meaford your business home, our updated Business Guide has everything you need to succeed.
Proudly Meaford is a community-wide campaign that highlights the strengths, successes, and local pride that define our municipality. From the farms that nourish us, to the small businesses that power our local economy and the natural spaces that inspire us, Proudly Meaford shares the stories that make us honoured to call Meaford home.
In this series, different themes will showcase the various ways that Meaford grows, creates, builds, and thrives.
This is our collective tale, and we’d love for you to read it.
Chapter 1: Proudly Grown in Meaford
Where Our Growing Story Begins
Meaford’s agricultural history spans nearly two centuries, shaped by dedicated farming families, the Niagara Escarpment, and the moderating waters of Georgian Bay. This unique landscape creates an ideal microclimate for flourishing orchards and thriving farms. Proudly Grown celebrates the people who built Meaford from the ground up and continue to strengthen our community today. Here, farming is more than an industry; it supports local businesses, fuels tourism, and connects residents and visitors to the land that defines who we are.
Explore the full Proudly Grown series through a selection of videos spotlighting the Vail family, the Lambe family, and the combined story that celebrates Meaford’s agricultural heritage.
Our One-of-a-Kind Microclimate
The geography of Meaford creates ideal growing conditions that cannot be found in many other regions. The escarpment shields the land from harsh weather, while Georgian Bay keeps spring and fall temperatures more stable. This protects tender blossoms during early growth and supports the production of high-quality fruit.
This natural advantage has made Meaford a leading apple-growing area in Ontario, with thriving varieties such as Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, and Gala.
Meet the Families Who Built the Land
Agriculture in Meaford is rooted in legacy. Many of our farms began in the 1800s, and the stories of those early growers live on today. These family farms represent the heart of Proudly Grown.
Grandma Lambe’s
The Lambe family story began in the mid 1900s, when apples were sold from a small garage along Highway 26. That simple start grew into one of Meaford’s most visited local businesses, welcoming residents and tourists year-round. Today, Grandma Lambe’s continues to represent community pride, quality local food, and the value of family tradition in agriculture.
The Vail Family
The Vail family have been part of Meaford life since 1825. Their history began at Vail’sPoint, where the combination of fertile soil and the gentle climate formed ideal growing ground. Over generations, their orchards have adapted from traditional plantings to modern high-density systems that increase fruit quality and sustainability. Their story reflects both deep heritage and forward-thinking innovation.
Where Tradition Meets Innovation
While its history runs deep, the future of farming in Meaford is bright. Local growers are shifting to high-density orchards that allow for:
Better sunlight exposure
More consistent color and sweetness
Improved efficiency in pruning and picking
Higher overall yields
Growers are also testing emerging technologies that will shape the next generation of farming, including robotic harvesting tools and advanced crop management systems.
Innovation ensures agriculture remains a strong pillar of Meaford’s future.
More Proudly Meaford Stories Coming Soon
Proudly Grown is only getting started. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
Are you a new or aspiring farmer? The Grey County Experimental Acres program helps connect new farmers with available farmland for short-term use. Access land, mentorship, and resources to try out your business idea before making a long-term commitment.
The Ontario Together Fund (OTF) is a provincial initiative that helps Ontario businesses develop and expand projects that strengthen the domestic supply chain and support critical goods and services.
This program provides funding to businesses that:
Create or expand domestic manufacturing and innovation capacity.
Improve Ontario’s resilience in sectors such as health care, food production, and supply chain logistics.
Drive economic growth and job creation
Eligibility Highlights:
Open to Ontario-based businesses.
Funding amounts vary based on project scope and economic impact.
Projects must demonstrate strong potential for commercialization and sustainability
The Municipality of Meaford has completed a full refresh of its Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2026. The updated CIP improves clarity, simplifies application processes, and better supports key community priorities, including housing creation, heritage conservation, sustainability improvements, accessibility upgrades, and rural and downtown beautification.
Once the CIP is in effect, applications will open for intake based on available budgets. Subscribe below to page updates for the program relaunch.
A Community Improvement Plan is an economic development tool enacted by Council under Section 28 of the Planning Act. It allows municipalities to provide financial incentives such as grants, rebates, and tax relief to encourage private sector investment that supports broader community goals.
Meaford’s CIP applies to the entire municipality, with the exception of the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre.
The 2026 update focuses on:
Simplifying program descriptions
Providing clearer eligibility rules
Improving transparency in how applications are assessed
Setting defined limits for combined benefits
Modernizing programs to better support community needs
Past Community Improvement Projects
The Community Improvement Plan has supported a wide range of projects across the Municipality of Meaford. These improvements help strengthen local businesses, preserve heritage features, enhance accessibility, and contribute to the overall vibrancy of our community.
This gallery highlights some of the successful projects completed through past CIP funding. Each example shows how municipal incentives can help transform properties and support community improvement goals.
15 Berry Street
Façade improvement Grant
Building Permit Grant
Planning Application and Parkland Dedication Fee-Equivalent Grant
Environmental Study Grant
Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant
72 Sykes Street North
Façade Improvement Grant and Loan
Building Permit Fee Grant Program
Upgrade to Building Code for Accessibility loan Program
Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant loan
26 Nelson St E
Building Permit Fee Grant Program
Tax Increment Equivalent Grant
Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant loan
Available Incentive Programs
The refreshed CIP includes a suite of programs designed to encourage investment in priority areas. Incentives are available to commercial property owners, housing developers and builders, agricultural operators, not-for-profit housing organizations, and other eligible applicants.
Programs include:
Building and Land Improvement Grant
Plans and Studies Grant
Municipal Fees and Charges Rebate
Tax Increment Equivalent Relief
Brownfield Tax Assistance
Additional supports for heritage preservation, accessibility upgrades, and sustainability improvements
Program descriptions, eligibility rules, and application requirements can be found in the 2026 CIP document linked below.
Application Intake Dates
Some programs accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis until annual funding is allocated. Others have fixed intake deadlines.
Building and Land Improvement Grant intake dates:
March 15
September 15
Applicants are encouraged to review program details early and contact staff for guidance before submitting.
Application Steps
Applicants are required to arrange and participate in pre-application consultation meetings with Municipal staff to discuss application requirements, program eligibility, project timing and scope of work.
After the consultation, the applicant will be required to submit a completed application, which will include all the application forms in addition to any supporting documentation, as required by the Municipality.
nce all required forms and supporting materials are received, staff will undertake a preliminary screening of the application. If the application clearly does not meet the program requirements, it will not be accepted.
If the application meets the program requirements, the application will be accepted. Acceptance does not guarantee financial incentive approval, only that it will be reviewed by the Council or a delegated approval authority for final financial approval.
Once an application has been approved, an agreement is signed, and the required permits are in place, the applicant may commence the improvement works.
Once the project work is complete, the applicant must submit photos, invoices, and proof of payment for all eligible work completed.
Following the proof of work and provided all program requirements continue to be met, Municipal Staff will issue payment of the approved grant.
Access to primary healthcare is essential, and the need in our community is urgent. It is estimated that there are approximately 5,000 “orphaned” patients – individuals who do not have a family physician. In addition, there are roughly 2,000 new community residents who have opted to stay with physicians from their former municipalities.
The Healthcare Loan Program
The Municipality of Meaford is taking action and making recommendations to expand access to care for everyone in our community. Here’s what we’re doing:
A new low interest loan program, the Healthcare Loan Program, is designed for family physicians to establish additional offices and space for their practice, allowing them to treat more patients.
Where funding is available, an incentive program could also be made available for new family physicians practicing in the community. As a type of Grant Funding, this would assist in the costs relating to their living expenses for the first year of moving to our community.
The Rental Assistance Program
Staff is also recommending a Rental Assistance Program for new practising Family Physicians that would be based on the following:
The recipient must have their practice within the Municipality of Meaford
The recipient must commit to practising Family Medicine for a period of time determined by Council
Funding would be limited to twelve months and would be capped at an upset limit per month (for instance, home rental costs could fund up to 50% of their monthly home rent that is also capped at $1,500 per month)
The Municipality could provide charitable Tax Receipts to those who wish to contribute to the Physician Recruitment and Retention Program
The 2026 Short-Term Rental Registry is now closed. Applications are no longer being accepted.
The Municipality of Meaford launched its Short‑term Rental (STR) Registry as the first step in a new regulation program.
A Short‑Term rental is any home, room, or dwelling rented for 28 days or less. Stays longer than 28 days are considered long‑term rentals and are not part of this program.
All STR operators are encouraged to join the 2026 STR Registry.
Register Your STR (Now Open)
Applications must be submitted before April 1, 2026 and must be deemed complete by the Municipality of Meaford to be considered.
Why register?
Shows that your STR is being operated in a responsible manner
Priority consideration when the STR licensing program launches in 2028
Clear communication with the Municipality’s expectations
Helps demonstrate that your STR is operating responsibly
Reinforces your commitment to responsible hosting within the neighbourhood
A Short-Term Rental (STR) is an overnight accommodation to the travelling or vacationing public for a period of 28 days or less.
The Municipality does not currently license Short-Term Rentals, however, the use may be regulated under our Municipal Zoning By-law 60-2009. Examples of rental uses defined in the Zoning By-law are Bed and Breakfast, Cottage Rental, Hotel/Motel, Tourist Establishment and Campground. Many short term rentals (rentals) in a private home are considered Cottage Rentals in the By-law. For more information, please review the definitions in Part 3 of our Zoning Bylaw 60-2009 and the applicable provisions with those uses. You can self-check the full Zoning By-law on the Municipal website at Zoning By-law.
Some lands within the Municipality are not under the jurisdiction of our Zoning By-law 60-2009, but are regulated under the Niagara Escarpment Commission Development Control. In those cases, you need to check with the Niagara Escarpment Commission or visit www.escarpment.org to determine if the use is permitted.
Airbnb is not “a use” in itself, but an online marketplace for lodging, connecting people who want to rent out their ‘home’ with people who are looking for seasonal or temporary accommodations in specific locations.
The Municipality requests all Short-Term Rentals to submit their application for the Registry Program. It currently does not license Short-Term Rentals within the current Licensing By-law.
Meaford Zoning By-law 60-2009 outlines two types of Short-Term Rental uses permitted in a person’s ‘home’:
Bed and Breakfast
A single detached dwelling unit in which not more than three bedrooms are used or maintained for the accommodation of the travelling or vacationing public, in which the owner of the dwelling unit resides and supplies lodgings with or without meals for hire or pay, but does not include a residential care facility or tourist establishment.
Review: Bylaw 60-2009, section 6.1, table 6.1 – to ensure the use is permitted in the residential zone; or Bylaw 60-2009, section 8.0, table 8.1 – to ensure the use is permitted in agricultural, rural, recreational and other zones.
Cottage Rental
The commercial use of all or part of a single detached dwelling to provide living accommodation to the travelling or vacationing public or occupied for a seasonal or temporary period. A Cottage Rental shall not mean or include a Motel, Hotel, Bed and Breakfast Establishment, Tourist Establishment, Hospital or similar commercial or institutional use.
Review: By-law 60-2009, section 4.30 – which permits the use within a permitted single detached dwelling, subject to the following:
a Cottage Rental may not be located within a detached Accessory Structure or within a temporary or permanent farm help accommodation or Dwelling; a Cottage Rental may occur within an Accessory Apartment Dwelling Unit within a single detached Dwelling, however not within both the main and the Accessory Apartment Dwelling Units; and where a Cottage Rental is established either on its own or together with a Bed and Breakfast Establishment, the total combined number of bedrooms providing accommodation for the vacationing or travelling public shall not exceed three.
For more information, please review the definitions in Part 3 of our Zoning By-law 60-2009 and the applicable provisions with those uses.
You can self-check the full Zoning By-law on the Municipal website at www.meaford.ca/zoning.
Before establishing a Short-term Rental,
All property owners are required to ensure that their property is in compliance with all applicable agencies, statues and regulations which includes but not limited to the Building Code, the Fire Code, the Planning Act, the Parking Control By-law, Noise By-law, Property Standards By-law, etc.
If your land is within the jurisdiction of the Niagara Escarpment Commission and regulated under the Niagara Escarpment Commission Development Control, you will need to visit www.escarpment.org to determine if the use is permitted.
No, the use must be within a single detached Dwelling Unit.
Not more than three bedrooms are permitted to be used in a single detached Dwelling Unit.
The Municipality applies the Ontario Building Code and our Property Standards By-law to regulate the occupancy standard for Bed and Breakfast establishments in residential homes:
The Building Code Act standardizes two persons per bedroom and;
50.1 Shall not permit the use of a non-habitable room for the use as a habitable (sleeping) room.
50.2 The minimum area of a room for sleeping purposes in a dwelling unit used by only one person shall have a floor area of at least 6 square metres (64.5 square feet).
50.3 The minimum area of a room for sleeping purposes in a dwelling unit as a bedroom by two or more persons shall be four square metres (43 square feet) for each person.
50.4 No basement shall be used as a habitable room unless it meets the following requirements:
floor and walls are constructed so as to be impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and treated against dampness; each habitable room shall meet all requirements for light, ventilation, area and ceiling height prescribed in this By-law or the Building Code; and access to each habitable room shall be gained without passage through a furnace or boiler room.
All property owners are required to ensure that their property when rented or in this use is in compliance with all applicable statues and regulations which includes but not limited to the Building code, the Fire Code, parking, noise, yard maintenance, etc.
Not more than three bedrooms are permitted to be used in a single detached Dwelling Unit.
The Municipality applies the Ontario Building Code and our Property Standards By-law to regulate the occupancy standard for \Short-Term Rentals in a dwelling unit.
The Building Code Act standardizes two persons per bedroom and;
50.1 Shall not permit the use of a non-habitable room for the use as a habitable (sleeping) room.
50.2 The minimum area of a room for sleeping purposes in a dwelling unit used by only one person shall have a floor area of at least 6 square metres (64.5 square feet).
50.3 The minimum area of a room for sleeping purposes in a dwelling unit as a bedroom by two or more persons shall be four square metres (43 square feet) for each person.
50.4 No basement shall be used as a habitable room unless it meets the following requirements:
floor and walls are constructed so as to be impervious to leakage of underground and surface runoff water and treated against dampness; each habitable room shall meet all requirements for light, ventilation, area and ceiling height prescribed in this By-law or the Building Code; and access to each habitable room shall be gained without passage through a furnace or boiler room.
All property owners are required to ensure that their property is in compliance with all applicable agencies, statutes and regulations, which include, but are not limited to, the Building Code, the Fire Code, the Planning Act, the Parking Control By-law, Noise By-law, Property Standards e By-law, etc.
If you have a concern with the use of a Short-Term Rental being a disturbance or not abiding by the applicable laws and regulations.
In the body content within the Report a Concern, ensure to explain the exact details, the address for the property you are reporting the concern and your contact information
Once a complaint is received through the web portal, a Municipal Enforcement service call occurrence number is generated, and an email will be forwarded to the complainant with the corresponding number.
Once a complaint is received, it is deemed an Open Law Enforcement matter, and an Officer will be assigned to investigate the concern to validate and ensure compliance. All concerns received are confidential
Note: If the concern you are lodging appears to be ongoing and requires immediate attention after the Municipality’s office administration hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, call the non-emergency number for OPP 1-888-310-1122. If your concern is an immediate threat to life or safety or a crime is actively happening, call 9-1-1.
We license all food vendors operating within the Municipality to support public health, safety, and appropriate land use. Vendors operating on private property for five days or fewer as part of a special event do not require a municipal licence. Discover what types of licenses are available and how to apply before you start selling.
Do I Need a Food Vendor Licence?
Where are you operating?
For how long will you be operating?
Is a licence required?
Seasonal municipal location
Seasonal
Yes + a municipal land use agreement
Municipal property (any event)
Any length of time
Yes
Private property
1–5 days (special event)
No
Private property
More than 5 consecutive days
Yes
Licence Types
A refreshment vendor licence is required for food vendors operating at any festival, market, or special event on municipal property.
This includes:
Festivals and markets
Community events
Private or ticketed events held on municipal land
Application timelines:
Already licensed in another municipality: apply at least 7 business days before the event
Not licensed elsewhere: apply at least 10 business days before the event
A refreshment vendor license and a Municipal Land Use Agreement are required. The Municipality provides a limited number of designated seasonal vendor locations on municipal property, and vendors may operate from May to October, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Seasonal Locations
Up to three (3) locations are available each season:
Fred Raper Park
Harbour
Blue Dolphin Pool
Lottery Process
Applications for municipal locations must be submitted before March 1 to be included in the lottery.
Fees and Agreements
Applicable vendor licence fee
$375 land use fee(included in the seasonal licence rates)
Municipal Use Agreement required before operating
A refreshment vendor licence is required when operating on private property for more than 5 consecutive days.
Requirements:
A refreshment vendor licence is required when operating on private property for more than 5 consecutive days.
Requirements:
Property must be in an eligible zone (Eligible: C1, C2, C3, RT, UAW; Conditional with farm produce outlet: A, SA, RU)
Detailed site plan
Valid Health Unit food premises permit
Fire inspection (if applicable)
Insurance naming the Municipality as additional insured
Vendor Classes & Fees
Licence Type
Class
New Fee
Renewal Fee
Event Fees
Private Property (More Than 5 Consecutive Days)
Class A – Motorized Food Sales
$510
$306
Not applicable
Class B – Non‑Motorized Food Sales
$306
$204
Not applicable
Seasonal Municipal Property (Fees include $375 land use fee)
Class A – Motorized Food Sales
$885
$681
Not applicable
Class B – Non‑Motorized Food Sales
$681
$579
Not applicable
Special Events on Municipal Property
Not‑for‑profit or licensed in another municipality
One‑time event: $65
—
Additional event: $32.50
Not licensed elsewhere
One‑time event: $100
—
Additional event: $50
Interactive Zoning Map
Use the interactive map below to explore zoning regulations and approved vendor locations within the Municipality of Meaford.
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