The City of Saskatoon licenses all businesses providing goods or services in Saskatoon. Licences are issued in order to regulate businesses, ensure compliance with land use and building regulations, gather land use information, and facilitate planning decisions. Being granted a City of Saskatoon Business Licence does not relieve the applicant from complying with all Municipal Bylaws, or with Provincial or Federal legislation.
The Planning and Development Branch of the Community Services Department issues licences for all home based businesses and all businesses operating from commercial and industrial locations in Saskatoon. For more information, please call 975-7710 or 975-2658 or click here for the Business License Program.
Applications and fees may be submitted in person or by mail to the Revenue Branch. Please note that this is an application only; if your application is approved you will receive your Business Licence. For more information, please contact us by calling 975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944.
To download a copy of the current business licence application form, click on the following link:
Licensing fees are set out in Schedule 2 of the Business Licence Bylaw (Bylaw 8075), which is available by clicking on the link below:
Transient Traders:
A transient trader is defined by The Cities Act as a person who offers goods or merchandise for sale or auction; or solicits any person who is not a wholesale or retail dealer for orders for the future delivery of goods or merchandise; but does not include a person who is required to be licensed pursuant to The Direct Sellers Act or who is an occupant of the property that is used for business purposes.
Contact the Office of the Revenue Branch for more information by calling (306) 975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944.
In accordance with Licence Bylaw No. 6066, the number of licensed taxis in Saskatoon is limited to one hundred sixty vehicles and five wheelchair accessible taxicabs. The City may, in its discretion, issue up to six temporary seasonal taxicab licences and up to eleven temporary wheelchair accessible taxicab licences to meet the demand for such services as may arise from time to time.
Contact the Revenue Branch for licence information by calling (306) 975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944.
A Direct Seller is a person who goes from house to house and/or by telephone, offering for sale, or soliciting orders, for the future delivery of goods or services. The Provincial Direct Sellers Act requires direct sales companies and salespeople making door-to-door sales, home-party sales and telephone sales to be licensed and bonded. Direct Sellers must first obtain a Provincial Direct Sellers Licence before they may apply for a City of Saskatoon Direct Sellers Licence.
Contact the Office of the Revenue Branch for licence information by calling (306) 975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944. For Provincial Direct Sellers Licence information, contact the Consumer Protection Branch at 1-877-880-5550.
Trade shows are defined as a place where goods or merchandise are offered for sale by retail or auction on a short-term basis such as hobby shows, home improvement shows, sportsman shows, and craft shows. A trade show licence covers all individuals offering goods or merchandise for sale at the trade show. If a trade show is operating at more than one location, a licence must be obtained for each location.
Contact the Office of the Revenue Branch for licence information by calling (306) 975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944.
Contractor Licence:
A contractor is any person who constructs, alters, maintains, repairs or removes buildings or structures, installs heating units, plumbing or other fixtures or performs other similar work. Contractors who do not have a permanent business location in Saskatoon, but are conducting business within the city, are required to purchase a non-resident contractor's licence from the Office of the City Treasurer.
Plumbing Contractor Licence
Applications must receive approval of the City of Saskatoon Plumbing Inspector. Plumbers are required to meet with the Plumbing Inspector to receive an information package and instructions regarding plumbing permit applications. Plumbers must also submit their original Journeyman Certificate of Qualification for the inspector to view. To set an appointment to meet with the Plumbing Inspector call (306) 975-7631.
Once approval is received from the Plumbing Inspector, applicants are required to purchase a Plumbing Contractor licence from the Revenue Branch.
Direct Sales Contractor
Direct Sales Contractors construct, alter, renovate, maintain, repair, add or improve a building that is used or is to be used as a house by the owner, occupant, or person in control of the dwelling. Direct Sales Contractors must hold a Provincial Direct Sellers Licence.
Contact the Revenue Branch for more information by calling (306) 975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944.
Mobile Food Vendors include such businesses as hot dog stands, ice cream bikes, and ice cream trucks. Mobile Food Vendors require a business licence for each cart or vehicle and the licence is only valid for the locations specified on the licence. Licences may be obtained through the Revenue Branch. Before the licence may be issued, the following agencies must be contacted for permission to operate:
- Saskatoon District Health Region: All applicants must provide to the City of Saskatoon written approval from the Saskatoon District Health Region (655 4605).
- Saskatoon Business Improvement Districts (BIDS): Mobile food vendors operating within the boundaries of any of the Saskatoon Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) must first contact the local BID for consent:
- The Partnership - Downtown BID (665-2001)
- Riversdale BID (242-2711)
- Broadway BID District (664-6463)
- Sutherland BID District
- Infrastructure Services, City of Saskatoon: Food vendors located on public right of ways or sidewalks are required to provide written approval from Infrastructure Services (975-2454).
Please contact the Revenue Branch for Mobile Food Vendor licence information by calling (306) 975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944
What is the purpose of a Business Licence?
Business Licences are required for the following reasons: to regulate business, to ensure compliance with land-use and building regulations, to gather land-use information whereby commercial and industrial policies are based, and to facilitate planning decisions.
When is a Business Licence required?
No person shall carry on any business, commercial or home-based, without a business licence. A licence must be obtained for each location and cannot be transferred.
How long is a Business Licence valid for?
A Business Licence is valid for one year from the date it is issued unless otherwise stated on the licence.
What information is required when applying for a Business Licence?
An applicant must include all requested information, including but not limited to:
- name, address, and phone number of the applicant
- the nature of the business for which the licence is required
- the place where the business is to be carried on
- the name under which the business will be operated
- the name of a contact person
How long does it take to process a Business Licence?
Business Licences typically take two to five business days to process.
Is there a fee if I decide to change my business name?
There is no fee to change a business name. However, the original business licence must be submitted indicating the proposed business name change.
Is there a fee if the business changes its mailing address?
Provided the business does not change locations, there is no fee to change the mailing address of a business.
How can I pay my licence fee?
Mail a cheque or money order payable to The City of Saskatoon to:
The City of Saskatoon
Revenue Branch
Box 1788
Saskatoon, SK S7K 8E1
Can I drop off my application along with my payment?
Yes! Please visit the Revenue Branch:
Main Floor, City Hall
222 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays)
Payments may be made by cash, Interac, cheque or money order made payable to The City of Saskatoon. Credit card payments are not accepted.
When does the City of Saskatoon send out annual licence renewals and when is the licence fee due?
Renewal notices are sent for Business Licences expiring the following month. Licence expiration dates are stated on the Business Licence renewal form.
For more information, contact us at:
Revenue Branch
City Hall, 222 3rd Ave. North
Saskatoon, SK. S7K 0J5
Tel: (306) 975-2400 or toll-free 1-800-667-9944
Fax: (306) 975-7975
Email: revenue@saskatoon.ca
Or speak with a Customer Service representative in person: Main Floor, City Hall, 222 3rd Avenue North.
For information about the licensing of businesses operating from a fixed address in Saskatoon, including all home-based businesses as well as those operating from commercial and industrial locations, contact the Planning and Development Branch.