August 16, 2021
City Council approved a
new Business Licence Bylaw that will come into effect on January 17, 2022. The new bylaw provides clearer and more consistent regulations that reduce barriers for businesses and will allow the City to respond quickly and decisively to new and emerging business types.
“The renewal of the Business Licence Bylaw is one of
several improvements underway to help streamline and simplify the City’s permitting, licencing and regulatory processes,” said Kim Petrin, Branch Manager of Development Services. “A new, modern and robust Business Licence Bylaw helps create the conditions for businesses to thrive and prosper as envisioned by
The City Plan.”
Changes to the bylaw include:
- A one or two-year licence option
- New and updated licence categories
- Simplified fee schedule, including a reduced number of licence fees
- A discount incentive for businesses that renew their licence on time
- Simplified application and renewal requirements, including for Police Information Checks (PICs) and operational plans
-
Changes to operating requirements for certain licence categories. The City will communicate the details of these changes directly to affected businesses
- Defined timelines for Fire Rescue Services, EPS and other required regulatory consultations
- Clearer, simpler and easier to understand language and organizing the bylaw in way that helps businesses more easily find what they need
These changes balance the need to streamline regulations with meeting legislative and safety requirements. This includes ensuring the City has the ability and resources to mitigate potential public safety risk factors and can support enforcement efforts if problems with a particular business emerge.
The new bylaw was developed over the course of three years through extensive research and input from the business community and regulatory and enforcement partners.
The existing bylaw will be repealed when the new bylaw and associated fee schedule comes into effect on January 17, 2022. Licences issued or renewed under the existing bylaw will continue to be valid until they expire.
