Based on the information you provide about your business activities when you apply for your business licence, the City will determine the appropriate licence categories for your business. Multiple categories may apply depending on your business activities. 

The search table below provides a brief summary definition for each business licence category. Click on the category name to see the full licence category definition from the Business Licence Bylaw and any specific rules, regulations and application requirements related to the category.

This information is intended as a guideline to assist you in applying for a business licence.

Questions about the business categories?  Contact us at 780-442-5054 or businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca.

Categories

Category Description Keyword Search Additional Information

Event Production

A business that advertises, promotes, sells tickets for, or operates an electronic dance music event as defined in the Electronic Dance Music Event Bylaw, Bylaw 19166.

Electronic Dance Music, EDM, event production, event producer, event promoter, event planner

Adult Service

A business that creates erotic videos, or provides entertainment or amenities on the premises that are designed to appeal to erotic or sexual appetites or inclinations.

adult movie theatre; adult film producer; porn film producer, porn, erotic social club; erotic bath houses XXX movie theatre, swingers clubs, sex doll brothels 

After Hours Dance Club

A business that operates a premises with dancing to live or recorded music between the hours of 2am and 8am.

after hours, dance, dancing, club, music 

Administration Office/Professional Service

A premises used exclusively to manage a business’ own day-to-day administrative tasks, or a business that uses specialized experience or training to provide technical, creative, or expert advice and services.

Corporate head office; Call centre; Realtor, property manager; travel agent; photographers, graphic designer; employment agency, temp agency; event planner; office, professional service, administration, commercial space rental, commercial space leasing, property management office, property management services, business consultants, interior designers, artists, life coach, spiritual consultants

Alcohol Sales [Consumption Off-Premises]

A business that sells, provides, imports, exports, or distributes alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises.

liquor store; liquor wholesaler, liquor distributor; liquor importer, liquor exporter; brewery, winery, distillery, bottled liquor, alcohol sales, alcoholic beverages, alcohol, off-premises consumption, off-premises consumption, off-site consumption,

Alcohol Sales [Consumption On-Premises/Minors Allowed]

A business that sells or provides alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, where minors are allowed in all areas of the premises during all hours of operation.

restaurant, family restaurant, brewery, breweries, microbrewery, liquor sales, alcohol sales, minors allowed, alcoholic beverages, consumption on-premises, consumption on-premises, on-site consumption, alcohol

Alcohol Sales [Consumption On-Premises/Minors Prohibited]

A business that sells or provides alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises where minors are prohibited from at least some portion of the premises during some portion of the hours of operation.

Pub, bar, nightclub, lounge, brewery, breweries, microbrewery, minors prohibited, no minors, alcohol sales, liquor sales, alcoholic beverages, alcohol, restaurant lounge, consumption on-premises, consumption on-premises, on-site consumption

Amusement Establishment

A business with table or electronic games on the premises.

arcade, air hockey, video games, virtual reality games, pinball machine, pool hall, board game cafes, redemption games, amusement, table games, electronic games

Auction

A business that hosts an auction to sell goods, including a motor vehicle auction.

auction, auction house, car auction, truck auction, recreational vehicle auction; RV auction, pop-up auction; online auction, motor vehicle auction, vehicle auction,

Body Rub Centre

A business where members of the general public attend, or are invited to attend, a premises to receive the physical external manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body, including any manipulation of an adult or erotic nature.

adult massage, erotic massage, massage parlor, massage parlour

Body Rub Practitioner

A person who administers, or offers to administer physical external manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body, including any manipulation of an adult or erotic nature.

adult massage, erotic massage, massage parlor, practitioner, massage parlour 

Bingo/Casino

A business that operates a gambling or gaming premises that is licensed, or required to be licensed by the Province of Alberta, including a bingo hall or casino.

Casino, bingo, gambling, gaming, bingo hall

Cannabis Cultivation Facility

A business that grows and harvests material, including seeds or seedlings, from cannabis plants on the premises.

Cannabis, Cannabis cultivation, growing cannabis, cannabis plants, cannabis seeds, cannabis seedlings, marijuana, marihuana, marijuana cultivation, marijuana growing, marijuana plants, marijuana seeds, cannabis harvesting, marijuana harvesting, grow op

Cannabis Processing Facility

A business that processes, manufactures, packages, or labels cannabis products on the premises.

cannabis processing, cannabis manufacturing, cannabis packaging, cannabis labels, cannabis products, marijuana processing, marijuana manufacturing, marijuana packaging, marijuana labels, marijuana products, marihuana 

Cannabis Retail Sales

A business that sells, or offers to sell cannabis to consumers on the premises. May also include the sale of cannabis accessories.

Cannabis, Cannabis sales, marijuana, marijuana sales, marijuana retail sales, cannabis retail sales, cannabis accessories, marijuana accessories, marijuana paraphernalia, paraphernalia, marihuana, cannabis dispensary, marijuana dispensary,

Carnival/Amusement Park

A business that operates a variety of amusement rides, midway games, exhibits, or live shows on a premises.

indoor theme park, outdoor theme park, theme park, amusement, amusement park, carnival, amusement rides, midway, midway games, exhibits, live shows,

Animal Breeding and Boarding Facility

A business that keeps domestic or non-domestic live animals or livestock on the premises for breeding, boarding, sale, shipment, inspection, appraisal, agriculture, training, rescue, adoption, or any other purpose.

animal shelter, animal rescues; pet store, pet groomer; boarding kennel; doggie daycare; livestock, livestock facility, farm animal, breeding, boarding, animals, horse boarder, stable

Industrial Equipment Sales, Rental, and Repair

A business that sells, rents, repairs, or provides other services related to heavy equipment, machinery, or motor vehicles designed primarily for construction, maintenance, land clearing, ditching, or other industrial purposes.

scaffolding; commercial fencing; traffic control equipment; industrial camp facilities; oilfield supplies, pipeline supplies; mining equipment; farming equipment; tractors, combines, industrial engines and machines; and semi-trucks, semi-trailers, industrial equipment, heavy equipment, heavy machinery, 

Commercial School

A business that provides training or instruction in a trade, skill, service, or body of knowledge, for the financial gain of the business.

private tutor; driving instructor; music schools, music teacher; career training institution; career academy, career institute, job training, art teacher, art classes, craft classes, cooking classes, instructor-led activities, instructor-led classes, seminary, trainer, teacher

Construction, Contracting, and Labour Service

A business that performs, provides, or manages work, and may supply related materials in relation to the construction, assembly, demolition, inspection, cleaning, or maintenance of residential or commercial buildings, land, structures, infrastructure, or electrical or mechanical systems.

Home inspector; home builder; residential contractor, commercial contractor; furnace installation, furnace repair, HVAC installation, HVAC repair, Air conditioning installation, Air Conditioning repair, general contractor, subcontractor, Construction trades; mobile home seller, mobile home sales, handyman, handy man, manufactured homes, manufactured home sales, locksmith; Cleaning services,  janitorial services; General labour services; Pest control; Landscaping, landscapers, construction service, junk removal services

Delivery and Logistic Service

A business that provides, or arranges for pick-up, transportation, and delivery of goods.

Shipping, freight, courier services;  trucking company; Food delivery services; liquor delivery services; moving company; tow trucks; towing services, pod rental, dumpster rental.

Designated Driver Service

A business that drives a customer’s private vehicle to a location specified by the customer, within a local distance, usually with the customer as a passenger. Does not include passenger transportation in a vehicle supplied by the business, or Delivery and Logistic Service.

designated driver, service, driver, driving

Escort

A person who acts as a date or provides personal companionship for a limited period of time. 

Escort, companionship, companionship services, date, personal companionship, personal companion, introduction, agency,

Escort Agency

A business that arranges an introduction between an escort and another person.

Escort, companionship, companionship services, date, personal companionship, personal companion, introduction, agency, 

Escort Agency (Independent)

A person who arranges with, and acts as a date or personal companion for another person for a limited period of time, but does not arrange introductions for other escorts.

Escort, companionship, companionship services, date, personal companionship, personal companion, introduction, agency,

Exhibition Hall

A business that provides facilities on the premises for meetings, conferences, sales, seminars, weddings, parties, or other gatherings on a temporary basis.

convention centre; banquet hall; hotel; museums, art gallery,  conferences, weddings, seminars, meetings, exhibition, EDM event, Electronic Dance Music event, venue, auditorium, special events,

Exotic Entertainer

A person who provides nude or semi-nude performances or appearances intended to appeal to erotic or sexual appetites or inclinations.

Stripper, exotic dancer, exotic entertainment, nude, peep show, exotic, agency, strip club, exotic dancing, peep house, nude housekeepers, nude maid, nude butler

Exotic Entertainment Agency

A business that employs, or acts for, or on behalf of an exotic entertainer.

Stripper, exotic dancer, exotic entertainment, nude, peep show, exotic, agency, strip club, exotic dancing, peep house

Exotic Entertainment Venue

A business that features live nude or semi-nude performances or appearances on the premises that are intended to appeal to erotic or sexual appetites or inclinations.

Stripper, exotic dancer, exotic entertainment, nude, peep show, exotic, agency, strip club, exotic dancing, peep house

Farmers' Market

A business that organizes a market approved as an Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market in accordance with the Public Health Act (Alberta), Food Regulation. A licence for a Farmers’ Market is a valid licence for vendors operating on the premises and within the Farmers’ Market while the Farmers’ Market is in operation.

Farmers market, Alberta Approved Farmers Market, farmer's market, farmers' market 

Financial Service

A business that provides financial assistance, products, advice, or services.

Debt collection agency, debt repayment agency; debt collector, private bank; private lender, credit union; Mortgage broker, loan provider; loan officer, tax preparation services; bookkeeper; financial advisor, financial consultant, lending services, payday loans, payday lender, high-cost credit lender, creditor, investment advisor, investment agent, pawn shop, pawnbroker

Firearm and Ammunition Sales, Service, and Manufacturing

A business that sells, rents, purchases, manufactures, imports, exports, repairs, alters, cleans, or provides facilities for, or instruction in the use of firearms or ammunition.

Guns, ammunition, bullets, firearm, gun range, firing range, gun sales, ammunition sales, gun store, pawn shop, second-hand shop, second-hand store, outdoor supply store, sporting goods store, box stores, hunting supply store, military supply store, retail store

Food Processing/Catering Service

A business that provides facilities on the premises for preparing food or beverages; or that prepares, manufactures, packages, labels, or stores food or beverages on the premises for sale, distribution, or service off the premises.

off-site catering services; bakery; deli; food packaging plant; food wholesaler, beverage wholesalers; commercial kitchen rental; brewery, winery, distillery, food manufacturer, beverage manufacturer, bottling plant, food warehouse,

Funeral, Cremation and Cemetery Services

A business that prepares the deceased for burial, reduces the human body by heat, keeps or transports human remains, or holds associated services.

funeral home; funeral, funeral services, crematorium; cremation, cemetery; burial, mausoleum; mortician, funeral director, human body, human remains, dead, deceased, hearse, death,

General Business

A business not otherwise specified by another business category.

general business

Independent Laboratory

A business with a private facility on the premises used for scientific research and testing, including the storage, maintenance, and disposal of live or inanimate specimens and samples. 

scientific research, scientific testing, laboratory, lab, specimens, samples

Manufacturer

A business that builds, fabricates, assembles, disassembles, produces, packages, or processes materials or goods, including the wholesale sale or storage of its manufactured goods on the premises.

manufacturing plants assembly plants; furniture maker, furniture builder, cabinet builders, cabinet maker, metal fabrication; bottle depot; industrial artists; print shop; taxidermists, taxidermy, factory, recycling plant, 

Health Enhancement Centre (Accredited)

A business with a premises where members of the general public attend, are invited to attend, or through which they may arrange an appointment to receive, for the purposes of health and wellness, physical external manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body from an accredited professional.

massage, registered massage, registered massage therapist, RMT, massage therapy, wellness centre, health enhancement centre, spa, health centre, wellness centre,

Health Enhancement Centre (Accredited/Independent)

A person who is an accredited professional, who, for the purposes of health and wellness, administers physical external manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body, and who provides a premises where members of the general public attend, are invited to attend, or through which they may arrange an appointment.

massage, registered massage, registered massage therapist, RMT, massage therapy, wellness centre, health enhancement centre, spa, health centre, wellness centre,

Health Enhancement Practitioner (Accredited)

A person who is an accredited professional, and who, for the purposes of health and wellness, administers physical external manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body.

massage, registered massage, registered massage therapist, RMT, massage therapy, wellness centre, health enhancement centre, spa, health centre, wellness centre, 

Hotel/Motel

A business that offers temporary lodging on the premises. Does not include lodging in a private dwelling or other residential property.

Hotel, motel, lodge, vacation, holiday, resort, hostel

Retail Sales (Major)

A business that sells new goods or rents items to consumers or end-users, and has a total space of 600 square metres or more, or has an occupancy load of 61 persons or more, or stores flammable or hazardous materials on the premises.

Box store; grocery store; department store; hardware store, retail, rental, store, major, online retail sales, convenience store, virtual retailer, consumer goods, online retailer

Retail Sales (Minor)

A business that sells new goods or rents items to consumers or end-users, and has a total space of less than 600 square metres, and has an occupancy load of 60 persons or less, and does not store flammable or hazardous materials on the premises.

Boutique, boutique shop, shopping mall store, shopping mall outlet, retail kiosk, store, retail, rental, minor, online retail sales, convenience store, virtual retailer, consumer goods, online retailer

Participant Recreation Service

A business that provides facilities or opportunities for the general public to participate in indoor or outdoor sports or active recreation, where spectators are generally incidental.

gym, fitness centre, yoga studio, dance studio; personal trainer; sports club; bowling alley; golf course, driving range, mini-golf; rock climbing gym, laser tag, paintball, escape rooms; go-karts, go-carts, swimming pools, pools, water parks, waterparks, sports facility, soccer centre, batting cage, exercise

Pawnbroker

A business that receives and holds goods as security in exchange for an advance of money.

pawn shop, second hand store, second hand sales, used goods, second hand goods, secondhand goods, exchange

Personal Service

A business that provides services related to the cleaning or repair of personal effects, or the care and appearance of the body, including massage of the head, hands, and feet; and massage provided as part of an aesthetic service.

tailor, shoe repair, hairdresser, hair salon, nail salon, tattoo shop, body piercing studio,  dry cleaners, laundromats, jewelry cleaning, jewellery cleaning, watch repair; shoe repair; personal service, reiki, floatation therapy, alternative health and wellness, spa, esthetic services, aesthetic services,

Public Market Organizer

A business that organizes a market and provides stalls, tables, or spaces on the premises to vendors for displaying, offering, or selling goods to the general public.

flea market; antique market, artisan market, homemade crafts, handmade crafts, holiday market, artisan goods

Public Market Vendor

A business that obtains a stall, table, or space from a public market organizer to use for displaying, offering, or selling goods to the general public.

Flea market vendor, antique market vendor, holiday market vendor, 

Residential Rental Accommodation (Long-Term)

A business that provides lodging where persons may rent all, or part of a residential property for 31 consecutive days or more, including retirement or assisted living facilities and lodging houses.

rental property, rental unit, retirement home, assisted living facility, lodging house, group home, rooming house, mobile home park, long-term rental, apartment, condo, condominium, townhouse, house, duplex, garden suite, secondary suite, rehabilitation treatment centres, transitional housing, supportive housing,

Restaurant or Food Service

A business that sells prepared food or non-alcoholic beverages ready for immediate consumption on, or off the premises.

Restaurant, fast food, cafe, coffee shop, cafeterias, food court, food court outlet, food court kiosk, ghost kitchen, food service, food truck, food cart, food trailer, tea shop, brewery, microbrewery, gastropub

Second Hand Dealer

A business that purchases or receives previously-owned goods, including precious and semi-precious metals and gemstones, for the purpose of resale. 

thrift store, charity thrift store; precious metal dealer; consignment store, antique store; used record store, used goods, pawn shop, pawnbroker, previously-owned, used jewelery, used jewelry, used gold, used silver, used precious metals, second hand goods, gold buyer, gold buying event, retail store, department store, box store, trade-in, exchange

Scrap Metal Dealer and Recycler

A business that purchases, collects, receives, stores, or processes scrap metal, scrapped or wrecked motor vehicles or vehicle parts, material from demolished buildings or structures, and other salvage material for the purpose of resale.

scrap yard; auto wrecker; scrap metal picker; scrap metal collection, scrap metal removal, scrap vehicle parts, scrapped cars, wrecked cars, wrecked trucks, wrecked vehicles, salvage, salvage yard, salvage material

Spectator Entertainment

A business that shows motion pictures on the premises, or offers or hosts live theatre, music, or dance performances; sporting events; or similar spectator events on the premises.

Sport venue, sports arena, concert, concert venue; performing arts theatre, movie theatre, arena, sports field, spectator sports, auditorium, concert hall, live theatre, symphony

Tobacco and Vaping Products Sales

A business that sells tobacco products or vaping products.

smoke shop; vape shop; and convenience store, tobacco, tobacco products, tobacco chew, cigarettes, cigars, vape, vape products, smoking paraphernalia, pipes, rolling papers

Traveling or Temporary Sales

A business that sells goods or services directly to consumers from place to place, from a temporary location where the public has an expected right of access, from a vending machine, or at a consumer’s place of residence.

street vendors, door-to-door sales, door to door sales, direct sellers, ATM, Automatic Teller Machine, vending machine

Food Truck/Food Cart

A business that sells prepared or packaged food or beverages directly to consumers from place to place, or from a temporary location where the public has an expected right of access.

Food truck, food cart, ice cream cart, ice cream truck, food vendor, mobile food vendor, food trailer, restaurant

Light Duty Repair Service

A business that repairs, maintains, or services computers, electronics, small engines or machines, appliances, motorized or non-motorized bicycles, or similar electrical and mechanical items.

musical instrument repair, lawn mower repair,  vacuum cleaner repair; household appliance repair; fridge repair, refrigerator repair, stove repair, dishwasher repair, fitness equipment repair; tool repair, tool sharpening, bicycle repair, e-bike repair, e-scooter repair,

Residential Rental Accommodation (Short-Term)

A business that provides temporary lodging on a premises where persons may rent all, or part of a residential property for 30 consecutive days or less, including bed and breakfasts, and lodging arranged through home-sharing services. 

Short-term, short term, short-term home rental, short term home rental, airbnb, VRBO, flipkey, bed and breakfast, BnB, home-sharing, home-share, home share, apartment, condo, condominium, townhouse, house, duplex, garden suite, secondary suite

Wholesale, Warehouse, and Storage

A business that sells or distributes commodities to other businesses or institutions for use or resale, or receives and stores goods for eventual sale or distribution, or provides storage services or facilities to third parties

Wholesaler, distributor; distribution centres; warehouse; self-storage facility; storage unit, outdoor storage yard; vehicle storage, car storage,

Vehicle Wash/Fueling Station

A business that provides automatic or self-serve vehicle washing facilities; sells gasoline, propane, or any motor vehicle fuel products; or provides electric vehicle charging facilities on the premises.

gas station, charging stations; electric vehicle charging, EV charging, gasoline sales, car wash; RV wash, recreational vehicle wash, bulk fuel supplier, propane sales, mobile fuel

Vehicle Repair, Maintenance, and Modification

A business that repairs, rebuilds, restores, maintains, cleans, modifies, or customizes motorized or non-motorized vehicles, including private passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, off-highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and trailers.

vehicle repair, vehicle repair shop, car repair shop, car repair, dealership, dealership service department; auto body shop; vehicle restoration, car restoration, vehicle customization, car customization, windshield repair, vehicle cleaning, car cleaning, car detailing, vehicle detailing, vehicle accessories, after-market accessories, aftermarket accessories, after market accessories.

Vehicle Sales and Rental

A business that sells or rents new or previously-owned motorized or non-motorized vehicles, including private passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, off-highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and trailers.

New car sale, used car sales, car rental, vehicle sales, vehicle rental, dealership, showroom, RV sales, RV rental, Recreational Vehicle, vehicle wholesaler, van rental, van sales, self-serve car rental, car share