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A business licence indicates to your customers that you run a responsible business that follows the rules and regulations, including zoning, health, fire and building code, and public safety requirements. Requiring all businesses to meet minimum regulatory standards and enforcing those standards also helps create a level playing field within the business community.
Follow these steps to apply for a business licence.
Questions about how to start a new business in Edmonton?
Are you a small business owner? Is this your first or second time opening a business? Reach out to our Business-Friendly Support. Our one-on-one support program experts can talk you through the business licensing and permitting process to ensure your experience goes smoothly. During a one-on-one appointment, we can also help you explore location options for your business.
Prior to applying for your business licence, we encourage you to take some time to research the requirements for your business. If you are planning to open a commercial business, we also suggest that you read the City's Commercial Business Licence Handbook as part of your research.
1. Register your business with Service Alberta. You may need to incorporate your business and/or register your business name. Contact Service Alberta to inquire.
2. Determine if your proposed location is zoned appropriately for your business activity. Please visit the zoning approval for your business page for more information on zoning and how to find a location that is zoned for your proposed business activity.
Once you have found a potential location, it is still recommended that you speak with City staff before you sign a lease to confirm whether your business activity is allowed at that location. This due diligence is the responsibility of the business owner as part of making an informed and responsible investment decision.
If your business activity is not allowed in the zone, you may need to inquire about applying for a rezoning or select a different location where the zoning allows your business activity. Rezoning can be a long and complicated process. If you choose to apply for a rezoning, we recommend hiring a professional planner.
3. Development and building permits. Even if your business activity is allowed in the zone where your proposed business is located, it doesn’t mean your business licence application will automatically be approved.
You may still need a development permit and/or building permits before your business licence application can be reviewed and approved. These permits help ensure that what is built is safe, meets regulatory requirements and fits in with the surrounding community.
Permits are needed if you are:
Changing the type of business activity at the location (for example, converting retail space into a restaurant)
Building a new space
Undertaking significant interior or exterior renovations to an existing space and/or
Installing or replacing a sign on or off the premises
You may need to make renovations even if you hadn’t originally planned on it. The City encourages businesses to consider hiring professional contractors and designers to assist them, especially for more complex projects.
4. Research the regulatory requirements for other agencies. Depending on your business, you may also be subject to additional regulatory requirements from other agencies (for example, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis).
NOTE: You do not have to wait for your development or building permits to apply for a licence. To help ensure your business licence can be issued as quickly as possible, we encourage you to apply for your licence as soon as you have selected a location and researched the requirements for your business under the 'Before You Apply' section above.
1. Application type. Choose the correct application type from the City’s Self-Serve application portal (Commercial, Home-Based, or Out of Town).
2. Description of business activities and licence categories. When filling out your licence application, please describe your business activities in as much detail as possible as it helps staff reviewing your application understand your business, potentially saving you time, money and further follow up on your application. Based on the description of business activities provided on your application form, the City will assign the appropriate licence categories to your business. Multiple categories may apply depending on your business activities.
3. Required documentation. Based on the licence categories assigned to your business, City staff will give you further information regarding any additional documentation required to finish processing your application.
Examples of documentation that may be required include:
Non-Profit Organizations
Non-profit organizations operating in the City of Edmonton are required to have a business licence and should follow the application process outlined above. A discounted fee is available to any business entity registered with the Province of Alberta or the Canada Revenue Agency as a society, non-profit company, recreation public company, charity, or charitable organization. The City will attempt to confirm non-profit status on behalf of customers during intake of the application provided the legal entity status meets the criteria.
If you are a non-profit organization, you may be entitled to a property tax exemption for property you own or lease. For more information, please visit Tax Exemptions and Relief.
By Mail:
To receive a copy of the application form, please contact us at 780-442-5311 or businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca.
Please note: We recommend applying for your business licence online for the fastest processing time.
Step 1 - Permit Clearance
City staff will first conduct a ‘permit clearance’ review. This review is conducted to ensure a proposed business meets the requirements of the City’s Zoning Bylaw and Provincial Building Code regulations. City staff will determine if your business can operate on the property that you have chosen and will advise you of any development or building permits that may be required before your Business Licence may be issued.
Note: Out-of-town (non-resident) businesses do not require permit clearance. An out-of-town business is a business that does not have a permanent location within Edmonton, but is conducting business within Edmonton. Self-Serve online has a non-resident application option for customers.
Step 2 - Business Categories
Once your business has permit clearance (if required), City staff will review your application and assign the correct business categories that apply to your business licence. Business categories are based on your business activities and determine the specific documentation and licensing requirements for your business. We may contact you for more information or if additional documentation is required to complete your application.
City staff will contact you once they have finished reviewing your application and it is time to pay for your licence and any additional fees that may apply. At this time, you can select either the one or two-year licence option. Your application cannot be processed further until your payment is received.
How are the fees determined?
The licence fee is based on the business categories that apply to your licence. Each business category is assigned a tier numbered 1 through 5. The category on your licence with the highest tier determines your total licence fee. You do not have to pay a separate fee for each category.
Note: If your business requires a fire safety inspection from Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, a separate fire inspection fee will also apply.
Out-of-Town (Non-Resident) Businesses
Most out-of-town businesses must pay a non-resident fee in addition to the applicable licence fee.
Non-Profit Organizations
A discounted fee is available to any business entity registered with the Province of Alberta or the Canada Revenue Agency as a society, non-profit company, recreation public company, charity, or charitable organization. The City will attempt to confirm non-profit status on behalf of customers during intake of the application, provided the legal entity status meets the criteria.
What are the fees used for?
The fees collected are used to cover the costs of resources necessary to administer the business licensing program. This includes the work required to guide businesses through the permitting and licensing process and help ensure that all businesses continue to follow the rules and are well-operated once they open. Remaining funds are directed into the City’s corporate general revenues and put towards programs that help support businesses, such as the One-on-One business support service and business grants.
Depending on your business activities, the City may be required to consult with or notify other agencies, such as the Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, and Alberta Health Services. These requirements vary based on the business categories that apply to your licence.
Consultation
Some business categories require the City to consult with the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) for a recommendation before your licence may be issued. In rare cases, the City may also consult with EPS or another regulatory agency for a recommendation, regardless of the business category, if it is in the public interest.
The consulting agency typically has up to 15 business days to provide a recommendation to the City before your licence may be issued. However, the agency may need you to be available for an inspection or meeting, or may request additional information from you before they can provide a recommendation. To avoid adding additional processing time to your licence application, it is important that you respond quickly to any requests from the agency.
Notification
Some business categories require the City to notify internal or external agencies of your application - including the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS), Alberta Health Services (AHS), Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), or other affected business areas within the City of Edmonton. In rare cases, the City may also notify an internal or external agency of your application, regardless of the business category, if it is in the public interest.
The City will inform the appropriate agencies of your application. However, the City does not require the agency to provide a recommendation. Your application will continue to be processed, and the agencies notified may follow up with you separately at their discretion to ensure their requirements are met.
Fire Safety Inspections
Some businesses will require a fire safety inspection from Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS). EFRS will be notified of your application after the licence fee has been paid, and will contact you to schedule your inspection. The inspection does not have to be completed before your licence is issued.
Fire safety inspection requirements depend on the business categories on your business licence. For categories deemed high risk, inspections are typically completed within 10 business days after the licence is issued. For categories deemed low risk, EFRS will determine if your business requires an inspection - if so, inspections are typically completed within 30 business days after the licence is issued.
If your business requires a fire safety inspection, a fire inspection fee will apply and will be collected by EFRS.
For more information about fire safety inspections and how to prepare for your inspection, refer to the Fire Safety Checklist for Businesses and the Building Owners' Responsibilities booklet.
Once all of the application requirements have been met to the satisfaction of the City, your business licence will be issued and a licence certificate will be sent to you by mail.
Please allow 2 weeks for your licence to arrive. If you have not received it after 2 weeks, check the status of your application online or call 311 for help.
When you receive your licence certificate, you must post it on the business premises in a prominent and visible location. If your business is open to the public, you must post the certificate either at the point of sale, or in a location that is visible from the main entrance.
You will also receive a file copy of your licence if you provided an email address. This copy is for your records only and must not be posted.
Remember to renew your licence before it expires.
City staff will review your application and confirm if your proposed business meets the requirements of the Zoning Bylaw and Business Licence Bylaw. This will determine if your business can operate on the property that you have chosen and which category or categories apply to your business licence.
City staff may contact you for more information or additional documentation depending on your business activities and the outcome of the review.
Some types of businesses (for example, nail salons, restaurants, pubs, and so on) may need additional consultation with other agencies such as the Edmonton Police Service, Fire Rescue Services and Alberta Health Services. These consultations have an additional "Consultation Fee" (see Schedule B under "Other Fees"). If your application requires a Fire Inspection a New Business License Approval inspection fee will also be required.
If you have lost or damaged your licence certificate, please contact us by our email or phone number for help.
Email businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca
Phone 311