Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff

By Shaun Penner

Bylaw C-1393

Grande Prairie business licensing bylaw changes take effect May 1

Apr 27, 2021 | 4:36 PM

Changes to the business licence bylaw in Grande Prairie come into effect on May 1, a change that will require all businesses in the city to hold a valid municipal license.

The updated bylaw was approved in November 2020 by Grande Prairie City Council and will apply to any trade, business or occupation with the intent of making a profit.

Business License Operator Megan Dennis explains that this will affect those businesses which were not previously required to hold a municipal permit.

“Those businesses were typically those that were in the retail, restaurant, accommodation, fitness and recreational industries in commercial locations.”

Dennis adds fees for commercial business licenses have also been waived starting May 1. A six-month grace period has also be implemented until December 1, 2021, allowing non-compliant businesses time to adjust to the new requirements.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

She says these changes will also give city administration a deeper understanding of the local business landscape through the information collected.

“Essentially, this is valuable information that better positions the City of Grande Prairie to develop services and programs for our local economy.”

While this change does impact many businesses in the city, Dennis says those holding a single garage sale, or the kid setting up a lemonade stand, will not be required to have a business license.

However, for entrepreneurial youth, Dennis is encouraging them to apply for a free business license to learn about the process at a younger age.

“It’s absolutely not an obligation for them to have the business license, it’s just kind of that feel-good thing that the children can be proud that they have a business license to show.”

There are some exemptions to the business license bylaw, including:

• An employee of a business who holds a valid business licence
• Municipal government offices and services
• Provincial government offices and services
• Federal government offices and services
• Charitable or non-profit organizations
• Any person specifically exempt from municipal licensing by legislation
• A business that rents a stall, table, or space as a vendor at a tradeshow, farmer’s market or community event
• A non-resident business whose only business activity is the supply or delivery of wholesale or bulk goods to a resident business

The full bylaw, which comes into effect on Saturday, can be found here.