Going out on your own

How to start a planning consultancy in Ontario

Urban planners shape how land is used — zoning, development approvals, official plans, and growth policy. The recognized credential is the Registered Professional Planner (RPP), a protected designation from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).

Urban Planner at a glance

Credential: RPP designation (protected title) from OPPI — not required to practise, but the standard
Path in: Accredited planning degree → 1–2 yrs supervised experience + mentorship → exams
Regulated by: Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) / Professional Standards Board
Insurance baseline: Professional liability (E&O) for a planning consultancy
Professional body: Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI)

The steps to start your practice

1
Stand up your planning consultancy
Planning is unregulated as a practice, so there is no firm licence — but clients (developers, municipalities) expect RPP-designated planners and professional liability (E&O) insurance. Incorporate, set up your accounts, and carry E&O.
Full guide: Insurance
2
Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
Most professionals incorporate to limit liability and for tax efficiency. Several regulated professions (architects, engineers) can form a professional corporation with a Certificate of Authorization — confirm the right entity type with your regulator before filing.
Full guide: Incorporation
3
Set up your CRA accounts
Register for a Business Number, HST/GST (mandatory above $30,000 in revenue), payroll if you will hire, and corporate income tax. Professional service fees are HST-taxable.
Full guide: CRA Registration
4
Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
Errors & omissions insurance is the core coverage for a professional practice — and a firm-authorization condition for regulated professions. It protects against claims arising from your professional advice, designs, or certifications.
Full guide: Insurance
5
Stand up your practice operations
Business banking, professional accounting, engagement letters and contracts, and the project and document workflows a practice runs on. This is the back office that keeps you paid and protected.
Full guide: Operational Setup

Your launch checklist

The whole page in one list.

Stand up your planning consultancy
Incorporate (or form a professional corporation)
Set up your CRA accounts
Carry professional liability (E&O) insurance
Stand up your practice operations

Turn authorization into a working practice

Once the firm can practise, the next work is commercial: define the fee, prepare a credible proposal, and put a repeatable operating rhythm behind the professional work.