Municipal & Provincial Licenses

Municipal Regulations for Establishing a Business Within Municpal District of Wainwright

The MD of Wainwright does not require businesses located within the MD of Wainwright to obtain a municipal permit or business license. It is recommended that anyone wishing to start a business contact the office with the business name and location, so that it is on file for economical and promotional activity within our area.

Any new structures located on a property in relation to a business will require a development permit.

Municipal Regulations for Establishing a Business Within Town of Wainwright Limits

Unless specifically exempted, anyone conducting business within the Town of Wainwright is required to hold a valid business license. License applications are submitted to the town office (1018 - 2nd Ave. Wainwright AB T9W 1R1 780-842-3381) and usually are processed the same day. The Licensing Officer is the approving authority for business licenses.

Zoning: The Land Use Bylaw regulates land uses (including business activities), providing different districts for different land uses. The following is a general summary of the districts and the businesses that are permitted or discretionary:

Zoning and Land Use
District	Permitted Uses	Discretionary Uses
C1	Food service Funeral homes Central Lounges Indoor recreation/entertainment Commercial Bakeries Child care facilities Offices Apartments Personal service shops Laundromats Retail stores Hotels/motels
C2	All permitted uses in C1 district Service/gas station Secondary Funeral homes Wholesale warehouse Commercial Indoor recreation/entertainment Child care facilities Contractor services Apartments Building supplies Sale or rental of automobiles Warehouse storage
C3	Hotels/motels Other uses dependent Highway Food service on highway traffic Commercial Lounges Automotive sales & service Farm machinery sales & service Service stations
M	Contractor Services Heavy industrial uses Building supplies Automotive sales & service Warehouses Offices Light industrial uses
Residential	a business operating in any residential district is classed as a home occupation and is subject to the regulations of the Land Use Bylaw.
Permitted use businesses may be approved without a development permit (assuming minor or no construction is required). Discretionary use businesses may require special approval. If new construction or major renovation is to be undertaken, appropriate permits will be required

*FEES*
Fees required for business licenses are as follows: (G.S.T. exempt)
Commercial or industrial location:	$100.00/year
Home Occupation:	$150.00/year
Businesses located outside of Town limits:	$150.00/year
For businesses just starting up, these rates are pro-rated to the month of startup. The fee is calculated as follows:
Commercial or industrial location	$ 50.00 + $4.17 per month remaining in year*
Home Occupation	$ 50.00 + $8.33 per month remaining in year*
Business located outside of Town limits	$150.00 before July 1st $100.00 after June 30th
* includes the month in which the license is issued. Each license is valid to December 31st of the year of issue, after which it must be renewed.

Business Tax

Wainwright does not have a business tax.

Provincial License

Certain types of businesses also require a provincial license issued by Alberta Municipal Affairs, Housing & Consumer Affairs. A Town license will not be issued until the business obtains the required Provincial license. A summary of businesses that require a Provincial license is as follows:

Auction
Employment Agencies
Automotive dealers/repairs
Fund Raising Business
Cemetery or Crematory
Pre-arranged Funeral
Collection Agency
Prepaid Contractor
Direct marketing
Natural Gas Retail Home Sales
Direct Seller

For further information contact Housing & Consumer Affairs (780)427-4088. If called from within Alberta, call toll free 310-0000.