Permesso di Soggiorno

I found it to be much more difficult to get a permesso di soggiorno than it was to get the codice fiscale.
The Consulate in Canada didn't mention anything that would have been helpful for getting this permesso. One of the few stipulations of the working-holiday visa was that I had to get a permesso within 8 days of entry.
Steps:
1. Go to the Questura - Immigration Office (there are many different Questura). Get there as early as you can manage. I would recommend 6am.
2. You must bring with you:
- Passport
- Visa papers
- 2 passport size pictures
- Marca di Bollo 14.62, which can be bought from the corner store, or tobbaconists.
- Bolletino PSE 27 and change, which can be bought from the Post Office.
You will need an address in the city of application for the permesso!
3. Wait in line and take a number, they will give you one starting with the letter A. When your number comes up, go to the till and the attendant will give you another number, one that starts with a B. If you are there early enough you shouldn't have to wait more than a few hours.
4. After your application is processed and your fingerprints are taken, the attendant will give you a paper with an appointment time to come and pick up your permesso. Mine took more than a month and a half so be prepared for a long wait.
Good luck!

Codice Fiscale

I am here on a working holiday visa, and getting that from the Toronto consulate was easy! I found out upon arrival that you need a fiscal code, the codice fiscale, to buy anything here. You need one to buy a cell phone, a house, a car, take a class, etc. Contrary to all the forums out there, you do not need a permesso di soggiorno to apply for and receive this document. You may be able to get the codice fiscale before you arrive in Italy from the consulate in your city, but I went a different route and got one here.
You need your passport and your visa documents (perhaps only your passport). Find an Agenzia della Entrate. If you speak no Italian, you may need to ask around the reception to get help filling out the form. It is very simple, and asks for your name, address in the city, country of birth, etc. If you have just arrived in the city and have no fixed address, I would recommend speaking to the owner of the guesthouse (wherever) you are staying. They may let you put their address down on the form. Next, wait in line until your number is called, go to the counter and give them your documents. They will give you a codice fiscale. Simple as that.

For Florence:
Agenzia della Entrate - per codice fiscale
Via Santa Caterina d'Alessandria
open until 1:30pm

A Canadian in Italy

I am a Canadian from Toronto in Italy on a working holiday visa for six months. I have not found much help for Canadians and Americans going to Italy online, and I will be recording some of my experiences in hopes of making it easier for anyone else who is starting an adventure like this!