Home Based Business Licence
Businesses operated from the principal residence of the owner receive a Home Based Business Licence. The development standards for home based businesses are intended to seek a balance between supporting the residential characteristics of the neighbourhood and the business aspirations of entrepreneurs.
Prohibited Home Based Businesses
- laundry services
- veterinary services, boarding, grooming or care of animals
- photographic or video studio involving adult or sexually oriented subject material
- any business activity that requires the use of commercial or industrial equipment
- hotels and hospitals
- the painting, repairing, refitting, cleaning, refurbishing, storage, salvage, selling or renting of motor vehicles, boats, trailers, engines or machinery
- industrial uses, including but not limited to welding, metal works, salvaging, recycling, warehousing, cabinet making or furniture making, but not including homecraft
- businesses utilizing large power tools and machinery or requiring external venting, vacuums, blowers or exhaust ports
- any business utilizing radio transmission equipment
- on-site sale of any products, goods or merchandise except sales incidental to a personal service trade
- restaurants, take-out food services, and drinking establishments
- the sale, storage or service of firearms, fireworks or ammunition
- any use that creates noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odour, air pollution, heat, glare, bright light, hazardous or unacceptable waste, electrical, television or radio interference detectable beyond the boundaries of the dwelling.
Fees
| Type | Current Rates |
|---|---|
| New business licence | $135.00 |
| Change of business location | $135.00 |
| Annual renewal | $95.00 |
Application
The easiest way to apply for a home based business licence is through Business Licence Online.
Applications can also be submitted by mail. Complete the home based business licence application and gather any applicable supporting documents that apply to your business. Mail your application package and a cheque or money order made payable to City of Saskatoon to:
Business Licence Program
City Hall, 3rd Floor
222 3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5
Process
All home based business licence applications are reviewed for compliance with land use and building code regulations.
If structural alterations to your home are necessary to accommodate the business, a building permit is required. A building permit from Building Standards is required prior to the start of construction. A business licence will not be issued until the appropriate building permits have been taken out.
If your application is approved, you will receive written confirmation by mail, along with your business licence, in approximately 2-3 weeks. A business licence is valid for one year from the date it is issued, unless otherwise stated on the licence.
Renewal
Licences must be renewed annually. A renewal notice will be sent to the mailing address on your licence the month before your licence expires. You can renew your licence online through Business Licence Online or by mail to the address above.
Moving or Selling the Business
If you change your operations or move your business to a new location, you will need to have your account reviewed to determine if a new business licence is required. You must notify our office if there is a change in:
- floor area used for business
- type of business being conducted
- location
- ownership or business closure
Development Standards
The following standards apply to all home based businesses:
Employees, Client Visits and Deliveries
- Only one non-resident employee may be present at the home based location at any one time.
- No more than 8 client or business related visits per day (maximum 3 clients at any one time) and no more than 40 client or business related visits per week can be made to home based businesses on any one site. This includes delivery of merchandise, goods or equipment to the business residence.
- Deliveries of merchandise, goods or equipment must not cause a nuisance to other residents of the neighbourhood.
Business Activity and Storage
- All business activities must be conducted entirely indoors, including storage.
- The business must not occupy more than 20% of the gross floor area of the dwelling, including the area of the basement and any attached garage, up to a maximum of 40m2.
- An attached garage or accessory building may be occupied by a home based business, provided that the total area used does not exceed 40m2, and does not interfere with any required parking spaces.
- A maximum of 2.0m3 of storage is allowed within a dwelling, and a maximum of 4.0m3 of storage is allowed within the garage, shed or other accessory building.
- Storage of hazardous, explosive or flammable materials are not permitted.
- No exterior alterations can be made to the home that are not consistent with the residential character of the buildings and property.
Business Vehicles and Signs
- No more than one business related vehicle and one trailer with a gross vehicle weight of no more than 8,000kg and a total length of no more than 6.0m may be stored on or in the vicinity of the site.
- Signs advertising the home based business are not permitted on the property.