The best side hustles in Toronto are the ones that match what the city leaves to residents. The City clears most public sidewalks, but driveways, steps and walkways are the owner’s job. Dog walking is common enough that the City runs a permit for walkers with four to six dogs. Yard waste collection runs on a seasonal schedule, which creates spring and fall cleanup work. Dense neighbourhoods also keep delivery and moving help busy. This guide is for Torontonians choosing a first local hustle or a second one.
It belongs to the side hustles by city set, next to Ottawa and Hamilton. If you’re new to side income, the start here page explains the basics. Then pick a hustle from the list below.
| Hustle | Why it fits Toronto | Rule or source to check |
|---|---|---|
| Private snow clearing | Owners must clear driveways, steps and ramps within 24 hours | Toronto sidewalk clearing |
| Dog walking | City permit for 4 to 6 dogs, $2M insurance | Commercial dog walker permit |
| Yard and leaf cleanup | Yard waste pickup runs about mid-March to mid-November | Yard waste |
| Odd jobs and furniture assembly | Toronto is a TaskRabbit city | TaskRabbit locations |
| Food and grocery delivery | Provincial pay floor per assignment | DPWRA |
| Reselling | Fine online, but a shop or door-to-door buying needs a licence | Second hand shop |
Which side hustles have the most local demand in Toronto, Canada?
Look for work the City hands back to residents. Three show up clearly on toronto.ca.
Step 1: Sell winter clearing of private property
Toronto’s sidewalk clearing page says City crews clear all public sidewalks once 2 cm or more has fallen. Residents clear their own sidewalk only when less than 2 cm falls, within 12 hours. The bigger job is private property. Owners must clear driveways, parking spaces, steps, ramps and landings within 24 hours after snowfall ends. Snow can’t be pushed onto sidewalks, roads or bike lanes, and the page lists a $500 fine plus a victim surcharge. So your service is driveways, steps and walkways, with snow piled on the client’s own lot. The snow removal side hustle guide covers equipment and snow removal pricing covers per-visit and seasonal rates.
Step 2: Walk dogs within the permit rules
The City’s commercial dog walker permit applies to walking four to six dogs. It costs $305.99 a year and requires $2,000,000 of commercial general liability insurance. With one to three dogs, you’re under the permit threshold. Read how to start dog walking and the Rover review before choosing between an app and your own clients.
Step 3: Work the yard waste calendar
Toronto picks up yard waste every other week from around mid-March to mid-November, in kraft paper bags or rigid open-top containers. Leaf raking, garden cleanup and bagging cluster at both ends of that window. The fall leaf cleanup guide shows how to quote it, and lawn care fills the summer between.
Which apps work in Toronto, Canada?
Toronto is on TaskRabbit’s list of locations, so furniture assembly, mounting and moving help can come through the app. The TaskRabbit review covers fees and how jobs are assigned. For delivery, compare apps in Uber Eats vs DoorDash vs Skip. Ontario’s Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act has been in force since July 1, 2025. It sets a pay floor equal to the general minimum wage for each work assignment, and tips don’t count toward it. Without a car, the no-car side hustle guide suits transit and bike couriers.
What seasons drive Toronto side hustle income?
- November to March: snow clearing on private property, plus winter pet sitting around holidays.
- April to May: spring yard cleanup and pressure washing.
- June to September: lawn care, moving help, and event staffing.
- October to November: leaf cleanup, then Christmas light installation.
Do you need a business licence for a side hustle in Toronto, Canada?
Usually not for a small personal service, but check your category. The City’s business regulations page lists licensed categories. One that catches resellers: a business that sells second-hand goods from a shop, or goes house to house buying them, needs a Second Hand Shop licence. The total fee is $788.33. Selling your own items online isn’t that. If you use a name other than your own, register a sole proprietorship with Ontario.
Illustrative example
This is a teaching sketch, not a real client. Suppose you sign six neighbours on your street for seasonal driveway clearing. Your plan has three parts: a route order, a written promise to clear within the City’s 24-hour window, and a rule to pile snow on each client’s lawn rather than the road. When a light snowfall of under 2 cm leaves sidewalks to residents, add a per-visit sidewalk option. The snow removal contract checklist lists the terms to write down.
What mistakes do Toronto side hustlers make?
- Pushing snow onto the road. It’s illegal under the City’s rules and your client can be fined.
- Walking four dogs without a permit. The permit kicks in at four.
- Reselling as a “shop” without a licence. Pop-up second-hand stores and door-to-door buying are licensed.
- Quoting yard work after the last collection. Pickup stops around mid-November, so plan disposal before then.
How are Toronto side hustles taxed?
Toronto income is taxed like any other self-employment income. You report it on Form T2125 and register for HST once you pass $30,000 in four consecutive calendar quarters, under the CRA’s small supplier rules. Rideshare drivers are the exception and register from their first fare. Ontario’s HST rate is 13%. See GST/HST registration and how much tax to set aside. The free side hustle tax checklist keeps your year-end list in one place. Keep receipts in a separate account, such as KOHO, and invoice in FreshBooks if clients expect it. This is not tax, legal, or insurance advice.
Which guides sit next to the Toronto side hustle guide?
Other cities in this set: Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary. For a broader list, see best winter side hustles and side hustles for newcomers. Before you register or charge tax, read side hustle rules in Ontario.
What are the common questions?
Do I need a permit to walk dogs in Toronto?
Only when you walk four to six dogs. The City's commercial dog walker permit costs $305.99 a year and requires $2,000,000 of commercial general liability insurance.
Who clears sidewalks in Toronto?
City crews clear public sidewalks once 2 cm or more of snow has fallen. Under 2 cm, residents and businesses clear the sidewalk next to their property within 12 hours. Driveways, steps and ramps are always the owner's job, within 24 hours.
Can I push snow onto the street in Toronto?
No. The City says snow must not be pushed onto sidewalks, roads or bike lanes and must be stored on the property, with a $500 fine plus a victim surcharge.
Do I need a business licence for a side hustle in Toronto?
Most small personal services do not, but some categories are licensed. For example, a second-hand shop or door-to-door buying of second-hand goods needs a Second Hand Shop licence.
Does TaskRabbit work in Toronto?
Yes. Toronto is on TaskRabbit's list of Canadian locations.
Which sources support this guide?
The rules, rates, and platform requirements in this guide are checked against these primary sources. Retail price ranges are labelled as ranges to verify locally, and they are not quotes.
- Sidewalk Clearing (Clearing Snow and Ice from Your Property) — City of Toronto
- Commercial Dog Walker Permit — City of Toronto
- Yard Waste — City of Toronto
- Second Hand Shop licence — City of Toronto
- Business Regulations — City of Toronto
- TaskRabbit locations — TaskRabbit
- Rights and protections for digital platform workers — Government of Ontario
- When to register for and start charging the GST/HST — Canada Revenue Agency