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May 4, 2022
What is a business license?
A business license is a legal document that allows a business or organization to operate within a specific area of the city. It is required to protect customers from illegal businesses, ensure that businesses comply with regulations, and provide the City with data on business activities. The fee, which is paid to local government, helps fun services and infrastructure and indirectly supports job creation and retention.
Who requires a business license?
Persons conducting any kind of endeavour for profit or gain within Whitehorse require a business license. This includes non-profit organizations who charge for a service or sell goods, and seasonal operations. All storefront businesses, non-local businesses, street vendors and home-based businesses that operate in Whitehorse require a business license.
Temporary fundraising activities, registered charitable organizations, property management involving three or fewer rental units, and garage sales are exempt from requiring a business license. Non-profit organizations that do not conduct business activities are also exempt from the license.
What is a development permit?
A Development Permit authorizes development on land in Whitehorse. ‘Development’ means any new use, change of use, or change of intensity of use on any land within the City. A Development Permit affirms that the proposed development conforms to the applicable regulations of the Zoning Bylaw. This includes ensuring that the proposed use is permitted in the zone in which the site is located. Development Permits are typically required prior to issuance of a Building Permit.
Home-based development permits allow businesses to operate from a residential home. The addition of commercial use, in a residential location, will require a home-based development permit. All home-based businesses (minor or major) must comply with the regulations stated in Sections 6.8 (major), 6.9 (minor) and 6.10 of the Zoning Bylaw.
In order to apply for a business license, you must have:
• A completed Business License Application Form.
Business License Information Brochure
Business License Bylaw
• A completed Development Permit Application or a Home-Based Business Development Permit Application (if you are operating your business from home)
• A certificate of trade name from Yukon Government Professional & Corporate Affairs (if you are naming the business anything other than your own name)
• Approval from Yukon Workers’ Safety & Compensation Board (if you have employees or if the business is incorporated)
• Approval from Environmental Health Services (if your businesses relates to food service or personal experience)
• Proof of liability insurance (if you are operating on public property)
• Any other information required by the Business License Bylaw
Pay for a Business License online
Business license renewal payments can be mailed to the City of Whitehorse, 2121 – 2nd. Avenue, Whitehorse, YT, Y1A IC2
| Standard Fees |
| Standard business license (12 months) |
$176 |
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| Additional Fees |
| Door-to-door sales – Non-resident
Door-to-door sales – Resident |
$931
$205 |
| Liquor licensed premises of 70 m2 |
$2.32 per m2 |
| Accommodation over 5 rooms |
$8.71 per room |
| Mobile home park over 5 spaces |
$8.71 per space |
| Retail sales/Wholesale outlets over 220 m2 |
$0.73 per m2 |
| Outdoor storage |
$110 |
| Retail Cannabis Business |
$2200 |
| Name change/Address change |
$29.04 |
| Late renewal |
10% late penalty of the base fee if paid within 30 days following the expiry date; or
$55 reactivation fee if paid after 30 days following the expiry date (10% accural, if this amount is greater) |
| Re-application |
$55 reactivation fee if paid after 30 days following the expiry date (10% accural, if this amount is greater) |
Economic Development (general business creation and development inquiries)
4061 4th Avenue
Whitehorse, YT
867-334-1083
[email protected]
Building Services (business license and development permit inquiries)
6 – 151 Industrial Road
Whitehorse, YT
867-668-8340
[email protected]
Yukon Government Professional & Corporate Affairs (inquiries about registering corporate names)
307 Black Street
Whitehorse, YT
867-667-5314
[email protected]
Yukon Workers’ Compensation Health & Safety Board (registration and coverage inquiries)
401 Strickland Street
Whitehorse, YT
867-667-5645
[email protected]
wcb.yk.ca
Yukon Government Environmental Health (inquiries about health inspections for food service)
2 Hospital Road
Whitehorse, YT
867-667-8391
[email protected]
