Business Licence FAQs

A Business Licence is a document that gives you permission to legally operate a business within the City of Fort Saskatchewan.

Business licensing bylaws are enacted to protect public health and safety, and a Business Licence serves as a confirmation that a business complies with local laws and regulations.

Fines for operating a business without a Business Licence begin at $300.

Anyone operating a businesses within the City of Fort Saskatchewan, whether based inside or outside of the city limits, are required to obtain a Business Licence, as regulated by the Business Licence Bylaw.

Examples of when a business licence is required:

City Documents

• Development Permit is require for any businesses applying for a Resident Business Licence
• Building Permit may be required for any business which will be constructing or renovating a structure
• Confirmation of Registration, Charitable Registration Number or government authorization is required for any non-profit or charitable organizations applying for a Business Licence

Documents Required by the Province

• A provincial licence or registration is required for any business which are legislated by the province.  
• Additional permits and licences may be required for certain business activities such as
  • Child Care
  • Liquor
  • Food Handling etc.

Yes.  Any business operating in the City of Fort Saskatchewan is require to obtain a Business Licence.

In addition to your Business Licence, you will require an Accessory Home Occupation Permit. 

Yes, a Non-Resident Business Licence is required by any business which operates within the City of Fort Saskatchewan, but is based outside Fort Saskatchewan's city limits.

If you are doing business in Fort Saskatchewan for less than 28 consecutive days, a daily Temporary Business Licence can be obtained.

Yes. As each municipality has different bylaws concerning how businesses operate, the City of Fort Saskatchewan requires all businesses operating within the city limits to obtain a Fort Saskatchewan Business Licence.

Yes. A Business Licence may be transferred to a new owner at no charge. We do require that you contact the city to update the owner and business information.

Yes. However, non-profit and charitable organizations may apply for an exemption from the Business Licence fee. In order to be eligible for an exemption, applicants will be required to submit the following:

• Name of the organization
• Purpose of the organization
• Organizational structure
• A confirmation of registration, a charity registration number or other government authorization
• Description of  the activities that will be undertaken within the City

See the Business Licence Bylaw to see if you qualify for an exemption.

A regulated members and businesses owned by regulated members under the Health Professions Act of the Legislature of Alberta are specifically exempt from municipal licensing with respect to the practice of their profession, if they can provide proof of:

• A certificate of registration from their health profession association
• A copy of their Trade Name Registration Statement or a Corporate Registry Search for their registered business

Associations and Colleges legislated under the Health Professionals Act

Registered members of an association legislated under the Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act are specifically exempt from requiring a municipal Business Licence if they can provide proof of:

• A certificate of registration
• A copy of their Trade Name Registration Statement or a Corporate Registry Search for their registered business

Business licences applications typically take 1 to 5 days to process.

Tips for expediting your application:

• Ensure that you have a valid Development Permit (for Resident Businesses)
• Apply for your licence online through Cityview Portal.  

If you are a Resident Business, you must have a Development Permit before you can be approved for a Business Licence.

In some situations, such as fee exemptions, a Resident and Non-resident businesses may asked to provide one of the following documents:

• Trade Name/Sole Proprietorship Registration Statement
• Partnership Registration Statement
• Certificate of Incorporation

Businesses licensed to operate in Fort Saskatchewan are listed in the Business Directory. 

The legal name of a business is the name of the person or entity that owns a business. The operating name (or trade name) is the name a business uses in day-to-day activities and to advertise.  In some cases they are the same and in some cases a business will have a legal name, but operate under a different name. 

Example 1
You are a sole proprietor and your name is John Smith, and you advertise your business as ABC Framing. In this case, your legal business name is John Smith and your operating name is ABC Framing.

Example 2
Your corporation's name is 12345 Canada Inc., and the business advertises as ABC Properties. In this case, the legal business name is 12345 Canada Inc. and the operating name is ABC Properties.

No. There is no longer a requirement to display your Business Licence publicly, however a peace officer or bylaw officer may ask that a business provide proof of a valid Business Licence.  A business is responsible for providing proof of a valid Business Licence to the officer.

The City does not issues hard copies of your Business Licence. To obtain an electronic copy of your licence:

Sign up or log in to Cityview Portal to access your licence and payment records online at your convenience; or

You can request a copy of your licence by emailing us. (No fees are currently charged for this services)