Business Licences

All businesses operating in the region normally require a business licence.

There are a small number of business types that are exempt from a licence, and others who are exempt from fees. Before you begin operating your business, you need to determine the type of business you are planning to start and what the required steps are to obtain your licence.

Resident business

A resident business operates in and generates revenue from an address within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. These licence categories are:

commercial business
day home
home-based business
home occupation
market

Non-resident business

A non-resident business is located at an address outside the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, but is generating revenue within the municipality. These licence categories are:

good selling at $1,000 or more per item
good selling at less than $1,000 per item
services offering to perform or complete specific tasks
trade show organizer

Once you have determined your business category, you can start the process to obtain a business licence. The general steps include:

Step 1: Municipal Land Use Approval

If your business is to be operated out of your home:

It may qualify as a home occupation if the principle dwelling is only used by the permanent resident to conduct business that does not require clients or vehicles to visit the home. You must complete the home occupation declaration form and submit it with your licence application for approval.
It may qualify as a home-based business, if the principle dwelling, its accessory buildings and site, or combination thereof is used by at least one permanent resident to conduct business. You are required to provide an approved development permit number. If you do not have one, complete and submit the home business development permit application and checklist. This application will be reviewed by a development officer to determine whether your proposed operations are permitted at that address. This permit will need to be approved and issued prior to your licence application.

If your business is to be operated from a commercial location, you are required to provide an approved development permit number. If your business activities differ from the previous tenant, you may be required to obtain a first use or change of use development permit.

Step 2: Alberta Safety Codes Approval

Whether your business is home-based or commercial, we must ensure the safety of our residents. Depending on the type of business, where it is located and if any changes were made to the structure, there may be building code requirements that need to be met.

Learn more about our Safety Codes permits.

If no permits are required, you may still need a Fire Inspection Report. Learn more.

Step 3: Business licence application

Once you have received Land Use approval and Safety Code approval, you can complete your business licence application. Apply online at E-Permitting. You can also download the business licence application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to renew my business licence?

Licences must be renewed annually. When the licence is approaching expiry, you will receive an email notification that your licence is expiring.

Once you receive this notification, please login to E-Permitting or visit the Timberlea Landing office (309 Powder Drive) to renew your business licence. All non-compliant business will be visited by a business licensing enforcement officer and the business may be shut down until a valid licence is obtained.

What if I move my business location or change my business operation?

Your business licence is issued for a specific location and operation(s). If you change your operations or move your business to a new location, you will need to have your account reviewed to determine if a new development permit or business licence category is required.

What if I sell or close down my business?

Business licences are non-transferable. If you sell or close down your business, please contact our office.

BizPal

BizPaL is your online resource for business permits and licences.

BizPaL is an innovative online service that simplifies the business permit and licence process for entrepreneurs, businesses, governments, and third-party business service providers. Users simply provide some generic information about their type of business and BizPaL will automatically generate a list of permits and licences from all levels of government (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal), with basic information on each, as well as links to government sites where users can learn more and, in some cases, apply online.

BizPaL is designed with the following benefits in mind:

It's free to use.
It saves time.
It's available 24/7.