Business Licences

This page was last reviewed on December 9, 2025.

Alert

Business licences must be renewed by December 31 for the following year. Find out how to make a payment.

Dec 2025 Update: Recent Updates to Business Licensing

Cumberland Council has adopted a new bylaw to regulate and licence businesses, along with a revised fee structure in the Fees Bylaw for business licences. Both bylaws were adopted during Cumberland Council meeting on November 24, 2025.

The new Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025 updates and consolidates existing regulations to modernize the bylaw, provide clearer definitions, incorporate additional business types, clarify administrative processes, and align with current provincial legislation.

The revised fee schedule included in Fees Amendment Bylaw 1242, 2025 better aligns with the cost to the Village of administering the business licencing system. A level playing field for businesses in the community is an important part of supporting robust economic development and guiding future growth.

A business licence is required for all businesses operating in the Village of Cumberland.

A business is defined as a commercial or industrial undertaking of any kind or nature or the providing of professional, personal, or other services for the purpose of gain or profit, but does not include an activity carried on by any government, its agencies, or government-owned corporations.

A business, including a home-based business or mobile vendors, must be a permitted use of the zone of the parcel in the Zoning Bylaw.

Business Licence Fees

Please view the Fees Amendment Bylaw No.1242, 2025 for the fee schedule.

Licence Period and Renewal

The licence period shall be from January 1st to December 31st of each year and every licence shall automatically expire on December 31st, unless otherwise specified in this Bylaw or on the Business Licence.

For new businesses that are issued a licence after June 30, the licensee must pay the Applicable Tier application and 50% of the applicable Tier Yearly Licence Fee.

Every Licensee must renew a business licence prior to the expiry of such business licence by paying the Yearly Licence Fee for the applicable business tier as determined by the Licence Inspector and set out in the Fees Bylaw.

If a Licensee continues to carry on business within the Village and does not renew and pay the Yearly Licence Fee prior to December 31st of each year, the licensee must pay the Late Payment Fee set out in the Fees Bylaw by January 31st to renew the licence otherwise the licence will be deemed expired and a new application is required.

Business Licence Application Forms

We are currently updating the application forms for:

Business License
Home Occupation Business License
Mobile Vending Licenses

Please check back in the coming weeks for the updated application forms. If you need help with your new business license application before the forms are available, please contact us at info@cumberland.ca or by calling 250-336-2291.

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