Business Licenses

Any business based within the MD of Bighorn, which includes Harvie Heights, Exshaw, Deadman's Flats and Lac Des Arcs, providing services within Canmore is required to obtain a Regional business license. Our local rates extend to you as per the current inter-municipal services agreement between Town of Canmore and the MD of Bighorn. This inter-municipal agreement is subject to change without notice. A Regional business does not extend beyond Canmore's town boundaries. 

Annual License - $130
Micro-Business - $32.50*

Application must include the following:

1.  Application form (Fillable PDF)
2.  Proof of residence: A photo of driver's license, copy or signed rent agreement, or utility/other bill with your name, address, and recent date.

Notes:

*Micro-business status is applicable only to Regional businesses that earn less than $30,000 in annual gross revenue (ie. Revenue before any expenses are paid). Supporting documentation may be requested.

· The annual fee of a new license is pro-rated on July 1 and Oct. 1 in the first year.

· Average processing time of complete applications is up to 10 business days. Processing times may vary. Incomplete applications can significantly impact processing times.

· For other business-related information, please see Other Documents & Permits.

An individual operating a business out of their primary residence in Canmore requires a Home Occupation business license.

Home Occupation - Class 1: A small-scale business with no impact on the surrounding neighbourhood and would be undetectable from the street. Examples include home-office, e-commerce/online business, artists, and mobile businesses such as massage therapists providing in client-home services and hair stylists who rent a chair at a salon and other similar contract workers. 

Home Occupation - Class 2: A small-scale business which may have some impact on the surrounding neighbourhood by way of noise, dust, customer visitation, deliveries, etc. Conditions can be put on Class-2 Home Occupations in order to minimize such impacts.

Annual License: $130
Micro-Business: $32.50*

Application must include the following:

1.  pdf Application form (1.26 MB) (Fillable PDF)
2. Certificate of Incorporation, if applicable.
3. Proof of residence: If you are renting or otherwise do not appear on the title, submit a photo of your driver's license, or a copy of your signed rent agreement.
4. Town of Canmore Planning approval (if applicable): If you answer "yes" to any of the application's classification questions, you are required to verify your home occupation as a class-1 or class-2 home occupation via the Planning Department. 
- Class-1? Submit a copy of Planning's decision to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 
- Class-2? Submit a copy of your Development Permit and Schedule A to complete your business license application package.

Notes:

*Micro-business status is applicable only to Canmore-based businesses that earn less than $30,000 in annual gross revenue (ie. Revenue before any expenses are paid). Supporting documentation may be requested.

· The annual fee of a new license is pro-rated on July 1 and Oct. 1 in the first year.

· Average processing time of complete applications is up to 10 business days. Processing times may vary. Incomplete applications can significantly impact processing times.

· For other business-related information, please see Other Documents & Permit.

Bed and Breakfast establishments are an ancillary commercial use operated by the resident of a single detached dwelling.  Bed and Breakfasts establishments can provide accommodation for periods of 14 days or less with one meal provided on a daily basis to guests.  For more information, click here.

Annual License: $130
Micro-Business: $32.50*

Application must include the following:

1.  Home Occupation  pdf Application form  (1.26 MB) (Fillable PDF)
2. Development Permit & Schedule A: To inquire, contact Planning and select "Bed and Breakfast" as the subject of your inquiry

Notes:

*Micro-business status is applicable only to Canmore-based businesses that earn less than $30,000 in annual gross revenue (ie. Revenue before any expenses are paid). Supporting documentation may be requested.

· Average processing time of complete applications is up to 10 business days. Processing times may vary. Incomplete applications can significantly impact processing times.

· For guidance on your bed and breakfast operation, please consult the  pdf Land Use Bylaw (15.43 MB)

Other requirements outside of the jurisdiction of the Town of Canmore to take into consideration:
pdf 1. Collecting and remitting the Alberta Hotel Tax. Visits  (15.43 MB) Alberta Treasury Board and Finance for information
2. Collecting and remitting GST. Visit Canada Revenue Agency for information
3. Inspection and cleaning of hot tubs, where applicable.  Contact Environmental Public Health (Calgary Zone).

An individual or formal business that manages vacation rental or short-term rental properties within Canmore requires a business license.  If the property owner has hired at third party to manage their properties, that third party company requires the business license and the property owner does not.

One business license is intended to cover all properties managed by the property manager. If the vacation rental is a part of the building's rental pool, the building's property management company has a business license to cover all rentals that they manage as part of this pool.  No additional business license is required. 

For more information on vacation rentals and tourist homes, click here.

Business license applications must include:

1. Vacation rental property list (Fillable PDF)
2. Business license application based on the location of the property management business and not the rental property. License options include:
-  Non-Resident if based outside of Canmore and the MD of Big Horn.
-  Regional if based within the MD of Bighorn
-  Home Occupation if based out of your home/primary residence in Canmore
-  Resident Commercial if based out of a commercial office in Canmore

Submit to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for review and processing. Additional documentation may be requested.

Notes:

· If you are a new property owner, you may be asked to provide a copy of your purchase agreement since your name may not yet appear on the title at the time of your application.

· Average processing time of complete applications is up to 10 business days. Processing times may vary. Incomplete applications can significantly impact processing times.

· For information on zoning, Planning permits, and permissions, please click here

· For other business-related information, please see Other Documents & Permits.

Other requirements outside of the jurisdiction of the Town of Canmore to take into consideration:

1. Collecting and remitting the Alberta Hotel Tax. Visits Alberta Treasury Board and Finance for information
2. Collecting and remitting GST. Visit Canada Revenue Agency for information
3. Inspection and cleaning of hot tubs, where applicable.  Contact Environmental Public Health (Calgary Zone).

Town of Canmore does not currently permit food trucks to make use of Town public property (i.e. roadways, sideways, pathways, or trails), however, food truck owners may operate in Canmore in the following ways:

Food truck of an existing restaurant on own property: A Canmore-based restaurant owner may operate a food truck as an extension of their business on their own private commercial property. A Vendor business license and/or a Temporary/Seasonal Development Permit are not required to operate the food truck in this scenario.

As a vendor on private property: A food truck operator may enter into an agreement with a commercial property owner to operate their food truck, cart or vending kiosk from their commercial property. With that, the food truck operator is eligible to apply for a Vendor business license. A Temporary/Seasonal Development Permit from Planning will also be required. Please read the Vendor Business License section for details.

As a vendor at a special event: Food trucks may also directly contact event organizations to inquire about vending opportunities, such as the Canmore Mountain Market.  A Vendor business license is required if the event is on private property and/or the organizer does not possess a Special Event business license to cover all business activities at their event.

To operate a food truck, other requirements exist such as a fire inspection of the vending unit by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and approvals from Alberta Health Services.

Town of Canmore's business license program not only benefits businesses, it helps strengthen and diversify Canmore's economy.  A thriving economy ensures that our beautiful mountain town continues to be a vibrant and enriching place to live, work and play. 

• Business registry data helps track macro trends and identify sectors that may require support
• License fees fund the Economic Development department’s initiatives, programs, and projects
• Businesses can opt-in for a complimentary listing on the Town of Canmore’s business directory
• Provides a municipal license which may be required if applying for municipal, provincial, or federal programs
• The business license process provides a fair environment for all businesses operating within the Town of Canmore
• The business registry helps track our community’s economic development and acts as a resource for business planning and economic diversification
• The business license process allows the Town of Canmore to work closely with the Government of Alberta to track and regulate operators that pose a risk to residents
• When business registration is combined with the development process, a licensed business ensures that building codes have been adhered to and zoning and other restrictions have been enforced

Annual license? If you hold an annual license, you will receive an invoice within one month prior to your license expiry. For those with a valid email address on file, the invoice will be sent by email.  For those without a valid email address, the invoice will be sent by regular mail.  Payment options are as follows:

1.  Virtual Town Hall: Search by your business license number. Payment can be made using VISA, MasterCard and participating debit cards.
2.  Online banking: Search "Canmore" when adding a new payee and select "Canmore (Town) Business Licence".  This name may vary slightly between banks. Refer to your invoice or payment email for you Customer ID when prompted for your account number.  Note: We do not accept INTERAC e-transfer.
3.  Over the phone: Call 403-678-1500 ext. 6 to pay using VISA or MasterCard.
4.  In person: Visit the Civic Centre's front desk located at 902-7th Avenue. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
5. By Cheque: Deliver a cheque to the Civic Centre's drop-box located to the right of its main doors or send by mail to ATTN: Town of Canmore Finance / Business Registry, 902-7th Avenue, Canmore AB  T1W 3K1.

Pre-Authorized Payment Plan: Simplify your annual license renewal with our pre-authorized payment plan.  Complete pdf this form (196 KB) and submit with a void cheque to Accounts Receivables at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

Are you a micro-business? See section below for details.  Note: If you are a micro-business on the pre-authorized payment plan, submit your micro-business declaration for the upcoming year by Dec. 12 to ensure that your renewal fee is adjusted before your payment comes out on Dec. 31.

Temporary license? To pay for your temporary license, contact the Civic Centre's front desk at 403-678-1500 ext. 6. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   

For electrical, gas, plumbing, and related permits, visit Alberta Safety Codes.

New business? Consider applying for SMARTstart, a program for entrepreneurs within the first three years of operation. This program has an annual intake process.

Searching for commercial property? Visit this link to search for available properties for lease or sale.

Stay informed: Sign-up for our business update newsletter brought to you by the Town of Canmore’s Economic Development Department. Click here to sign-up.

Alberta Biz-Connect: Click here to access the Provincial government’s latest workplace guidance and supports to help businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-19.

Find Tender Opportunities: Tender opportunities with the Town of Canmore are listed online, and you can find a comprehensive list of opportunities available in Alberta via Alberta Purchasing Connection.