Business Licences

This page was last reviewed on September 10, 2026.

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.

Any business must be a “permitted use” specified by the Zoning of the parcel as laid out in the Zoning Bylaw.

Fees

Application Process

Application Documents

Licence Period and Renewal

Additional Links

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Fees

Fees will vary depending on the Tier that a business falls into. There are five tiers:

Tier 1 – Basic Business Licence – Businesses that do NOT require a Fire inspection.
1. Application Fee $125, Yearly Licence Fee $25
2. Examples: Home-based contractors or trades, Consultants (accountants), photographers, non-resident businesses, and other types of businesses that do not have customers or employees in their homes.
Tier 2 – Basic plus Inspection Business Licence – Businesses that require a Fire Inspection
1. Application Fee $275, Yearly Licence Fee $100
2. Examples: Retail stores, Cannabis retailers, Most commercial/, Childcare and Daycare facilities, Hair salons, Massage Therapy, Restaurants, Cafes, Breweries, Veterinarians, Bike Shops, Grocery Stores, Banks/Credit Unions, and other types of businesses that the Fire Department requires regular fire inspections.
Tier 3 – Accommodation Business Licence – Short Term Rentals, Hostels, Hotels, Bed and Breakfast
1. Application Fee $300, Yearly Licence Fee $125
Tier 4 – Mobile Vendors – Mobile Vending
1. Application Fee $275, Yearly Licence Fee $175
Tier 5 – Large Retail/Industrial – Large Retail, Industrial and Storage Facilities
1. Application Fee $375, Yearly Licence Fee $250
2. Examples: Production and Storage Facilities, Recycling Plants, Large Scale Retailers (over 465 square metres

Please view the Fees Bylaw for the complete fee schedule.

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Application Process

Determine if the business is permitted by the property zoning.
1. Determine the Zoning of your property
  - Use the iMap Viewer to or Zoning Bylaw map to determine the zoning of your property.
2. Go to the Zoning Bylaw to see permitted uses in each zone.
  1. See section that applies to the property in question:
    - Section 10 – Residential zones: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-MHP, R-RTMU, R-MU
    - Section 11 – Mixed-Use Zones: MU-1, MU-2, MU-3
    - Section 12 – Industry Zones: I-1, I-2, I-3
    - Section 13 – Public Use Zones: PU-1, PU-2, PU-3
    - Section 14 – Rural Zones: FSG, RT, DWP
    - Section 15 – Interchange Zones: IMU-1, IMU-2, IMU-3, IMU-4, IMU-6, IHR, IREC, IRC
  2. Be sure to read all footnotes in each table of permitted uses
Fill out applicable Business Licence application form and other documents as necessary.
Submit application and pay the application fee.
1. - Applications can be submitted in person at the Village Office or online via info@cumberland.ca.
  - Payments can be made in person at the Village Office or online via payment portal. See Make a Payment.
The application will be reviewed internally by the following Officials/Departments:
1. - Planning department
  - Fire Chief
  - Building Inspector
  - Licence Inspector
Once the application has been approved, the applicant will be notified of the applicable licensing fees by email.
- - Fees can be paid online, in-person, or by mail. See Make a Payment.
Once all conditions have been met, and fees are paid, the licence will be issued by email.

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Application Documents

All applications require the correct application form for the type of business. For the purpose of application, businesses are divided into four types:

Regular Business – all businesses that don’t fall into any of the other categories.
Accommodation Home Occupation – use this form for Short-Term Rentals or Bed and Breakfasts
Home occupation – use this form it the business will be operated from a residential property.
Mobile Vending – use this form if the business will be operated out of a truck, trailer, cart, or other non-permanent structure.

See sections below for more information on each type of business.

Additional Documents

Agent Authorization Form – If the property owner is not the applicant, an Agent Authorization Form must be submitted with the application.
As every application or renewal is unique, the following is a list of documents that the applicant may be required to provide:
- copies of applicable certification or letters of approval by federal, provincial, municipal or other agencies, professional associations or societies
- a Criminal Record report from the RCMP
- proof of liability insurance coverage, in a form acceptable to the Village
- proof of Health Approval for personal service or food service

Regular

Use this form if your business isn’t a home occupation, an accommodation home occupation, or mobile vending business.

Regular Application Form

Regular business may fall into any of the following tiers:

Tier 2 – Basic plus Inspection
Tier 3* – Accommodation Business Licence *Only hotels and hostels will use a Regular Application for an Accommodation Licence.
Tier 5 – Large Retail/Industrial

Accommodation Home Occupation

Use this application for a Short-Term Rental or Bed and Breakfast.

Accommodation Home Occupation Form

Accommodation Home Occupation businesses fall into Tier 3.

Key Requirements

The owner/operator of an accommodation home occupation must be the principal resident of the property where the business operates.

Short-Term Rentals

Short term rentals are only allowed in the area designated by Figure 10.1 in the Zoning Bylaw.
You can also see this area in the iMap if the “Land Use → Zoning Bylaw 1238→Short-Term Rental Accommodation Area” boxes are selected in the Layers List .

*You might be in a zone that permits short term rentals, but if you are not in the area designated by Figure 10.1, short term rentals are not permitted*

See the following links for accommodation home occupations requirements:

Table 6.4(2) Home Occupation Regulations

Business Licensing Bylaw – Short Term Rentals

Signage for Home Occupations

Home Occupation

Use this application if you will be operating a business out of a residence.

Home Occupation Form

Home Occupation businesses may fall into any of the following tiers:

Tier 1 – Basic Business Licence
Tier 2 – Basic plus Inspection

Key Requirements

Minor – Minor home occupations are intended to be operated solely within a dwelling unit. Aspects of business operations must not be detectable from outside the property.
Standard – Standard home occupations are intended to be operated within a dwelling unit or accessory building.
Major – Major home occupations are intended to be operated within a dwelling unit or accessory building. Home occupations under this classification can occupy additional floor area and employ more on-site, non-resident employees than other home occupation classification types

See the following link for home occupation requirements:

Table 6.4(2) Home Occupation Regulations

Mobile Vending

Use this form if the business will be operated out of a truck, trailer, cart, or other non-permanent structure.

Mobile Vending Form

Mobile Vending businesses fall into Tier 4.

Key Requirements

Must be located a minimum of 30 metres from any food services establishment,
- except where such establishment has provided written permission stating that the mobile vendor may be sited closer to its premises
No goods other than food and beverages shall be sold from a mobile vendor.
Limit the size of the mobile unit to a maximum overall length of 9.0m and a maximum width of 2.5m

See the following links for mobile vending requirements:

Section 6.5 of the Zoning Bylaw

Section 4.4 Business Licensing Bylaw

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Licence Period and Renewal

Business Licenses are valid from the date of issue until Dec. 31 of that year. Renewals are valid for one calendar year (January 1 – December 31). All business licences will expire on December 31 unless they have been renewed (currently there is no automatic renewal option).

Renewal notices are sent out at the beginning of December. Failure to pay for the next year’s license means the License is no longer valid, expires, and a new application may have to be made. See section 3.4 of the Business Licence Bylaw for more information

Existing licence holders must renew before Dec 31 of each year. After Dec 31, all renewals will be subject to a late fee. Any renewals not paid before January 31^st will be deemed expired and a new application is required.