Business Licences

To do business in Beaumont you must hold a valid business licence and, in some cases, a development permit or event approval. Business licences are valid until December 31 and must be renewed by January 31 for the next year.

Apply online

The online system makes it quick and easy to get a business licence. A business licence demonstrates your business operates responsibly and complies with important regulations (including zoning, health, fire and building codes) and public safety standards. It also helps create a fair and competitive business environment within Beaumont.

Start here

Getting your business licence

The following videos can walk you through the steps of getting a business licence.

Apply for a business licence

Steps and information on applying for a new City of Beaumont business licence.

Renew an existing business licence

Learn how to renew a licence.

Need extra support?

Please contact us by phone at 780-267-3481 or email us at businesslicence@beaumont.ab.ca for help with your business licence application.

Do I need a business licence?

The City of Beaumont’s Business Licence Bylaw [pdf] requires that a licence be obtained for any person, group, organization or company that will operate:

  • a commercial, merchandising, institutional or industrial activity or undertaking,
  • a profession, trade, occupation, calling or employment, or
  • an activity providing goods or services.

This includes for profit and not-for-profit organizations, however they are organized or formed, including cooperatives and associations.

Fundraising

Charitable and non-profit organizations conducting business for fundraising are not required to be licensed.

What kind of business licence do I need?

Business licences are based on the type of business you conduct within Beaumont.

Businesses that rent, lease or own a commercial unit or property where customers come to purchase goods or services, e.g., restaurant, repair shop, grocery store, bank, professional offices.

Businesses that sell goods or services door-to-door or in public areas and do not have a transportable structure, e.g., door-to-door vacuum sales, or craft or jewelry sales from a table.

When the primary business operates from a home or performs a service or distributes goods outside the home, but the bulk of paperwork, bookkeeping and calls are done in the home.

There are two types:

  • Minor: customers do not come to the home.
  • Major: customers come to the home.

Examples include nail salon, bookkeeping services, direct selling, etc.

Businesses operating an incubator facility for small businesses.

Businesses that provide services or goods in a structure that can be transported, e.g., food trucks, ice cream bicycle cart, seasonal food vendor.

An individual or company that oversees the building or renovation of a building or land. They may or may not employ subcontractors. Examples include new homebuilders and commercial builders.

A business with no storefront that performs a trade service to a home or business in Beaumont and is not the principal or general contractor. Examples include plumbers, painters and electricians.

Businesses that will be performing work in Beaumont for no more than seven consecutive days, e.g., painter on site for less than a week.

For all other businesses that do not fall into one of the categories above.

Fees & costs

Fees are based on the type of business you conduct in Beaumont. Most are based on a calendar year and the amount can be pro-rated based on when you apply. Some business types, e.g., door-to-door sales, have additional fees for each representative operating in the city.

View the Fees and Charges Bylaw [pdf] for exact amounts.

Fee exemptions

Under Alberta legislation, some professions and trades are exempt from municipal licensing fees. Review the exemption list [pdf] to see if your business is exempt from the business licence fee.

Please note that this may not be an exhaustive list and it is your responsibility to determine if you are eligible for an exemption and provide proof of an exemption.

Frequently asked questions

Starting January 9, 2025, our online system will be updated to allow printing of the 2025 Business Licence. While every effort was made to enable the print function before the new calendar year, it was not feasible. Please print and post the 2025 Business Licence on site, by January 31, 2025.

Business licensing services several purposes that benefits customers and businesses:

  • It provides a fair, level playing field for all businesses operating in Beaumont.
  • It helps us track economic development and the types of businesses available in the city.
  • Business can use the registry maintained with licences as a resource for business planning.
  • It gives us a way to work with the Alberta government and other regulators to track and ensure compliance for fly-by-night operators that pose a risk to customers.
  • When combined with the development approval process, it ensures that building codes, land use, and other requirements are being followed.
  • It supports the re-establishment of a business directory that encourages people to shop local.

Please call 780-267-3481 to advise the City of Beaumont of any changes required to your business licence information.

Please email your reason for cancellation to BusinessLicence@beaumont.ab.ca.