Business Licences
If you operate a business in the City of Iqaluit, you need a business licence to ensure public health and safety and to make sure that its location complies with the City's zoning bylaw.
Any business that does not have a valid license is subject to a fine as per City of Iqaluit Business License By-law #859.
How to apply for a Business Licence
- Create an account on the City of Iqaluit Business Licence online portal. Please retain your username and password, as you will require this annually to renew your license, or to make changes to your application.
- To create a business license application, sign-in to your account and under "My Account", select "Add New Business".
- You will be prompted to complete a "Home-Based Business Supplementary Form" for all home-based businesses. Please complete the form and click accept. If you are not a home-based business you can just click accept.
- Complete all necessary fields for your business license application and click save. A payment prompt will appear. You can either pay electronically with a credit card or select the option to “Pay at City Hall”. Please note that applications will not be processed without completed payment.
Additional items required for your business license:
- Home-Based Business Supplementary Form (for home-based businesses only)
- Articles of Incorporation (for businesses who wish to incorporate)
- Declaration of a Partnership (for registration of a partnership)
- Declaration of Use of a Business Name (for registration of a sole proprietorship)
- Application for Incorporation - Societies (to register as a society/not-for-profit)
- WSCC Certificate of Compliance (you will need to register your business with WSCC in order to access this document)
- A letter of authorization from your landlord if you operate your business in their dwelling
Additional items that may be required for your business license:
- Current and satisfactory Environmental Health Report
- issued by Public Heath (for Daycares and Day Homes only)
- Current and satisfactory Fire Inspection Report
- issued by the Office of the Fire Marshall (for Daycares and Day Homes only)
- Current copy of Daycare Operating License
- issued by the Government of Nunavut (if applicable)
- Development Permit
- commercial and home based businesses may require a development permit; check to see if your business will require one with the City of Iqaluit
- Fire Inspection Report
- restaurants, hotels, B&B, daycares, theatres, and many other kinds of operations that allow clients on site are required to have this report; check with Government of Nunavut Community and Government Services
- Health Inspection Report
- (food handling operations, restaurants, hotels, daycares, hair salons, tattoo parlours and many other kinds of operations that provide a health/food service to clients are required to have this report; check with Government of Nunavut Public Health - Tourism Operators License
- any business operating as a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast or outfitting and guiding must provide a copy of their Tourism Establishment License and/or Outfitter’s License; check with Government of Nunavut Economic Development and Transportation
Questions?
If you are unsure of what is required for your business, please contact the Economic Development Officer.