Business Regulations

Municipalities may regulate businesses by bylaws and may require businesses to obtain a business licence.

The power to regulate businesses is distinct from the power to prohibit businesses from operating, and the power to impose requirements on businesses.

Municipalities:

• May regulate businesses by establishing rules that businesses must follow in order to operate
• Generally, may not prohibit businesses outright from being established, or impose standalone requirements on individual businesses

In some cases, municipalities may prohibit specific types of businesses based on legal decisions or specific legislative authority – for example, municipalities may prohibit shows such as exhibitions or other public performances.

As well, municipalities may prohibit or limit types of business and business activities in various areas of the municipality using other regulatory authorities, such as land use regulation powers (zoning). Municipalities are encouraged to identify and consider all potential implications on businesses when developing other regulatory schemes.