Business licence fees vary depending on the type of business you operate and whether your business is located within Cochrane or outside of Town limits. Business licence fees are GST exempt. Annual fees are prorated monthly after January 31.
Find your business type
Resident fee: $100
Non-resident fee: $340
Annual fees are prorated monthly after January 31
Examples:
Home-based accounting or bookkeeping services
Online storefront operating from home (shipping products via courier)
Remote consulting businesses
Resident fee: $180
Non-resident fee: $340
Annual fees are prorated monthly after January 31
Examples:
Hair stylist or esthetician seeing clients from home
Music teacher offering in-home lessons
Small catering business preparing food from home
Resident fee: $180
Non-resident fee: $340
Annual fees are prorated monthly after January 31
Examples:
Airbnb
VRBO
Resident fee: $180
Non-resident fee: $340
Annual fees are prorated monthly after January 31
Examples:
Coffee shop or restaurant
Boutique clothing store in a retail storefront
Mechanic shop or autobody shop
Light manufacturing or workshop operating in an industrial bay
Resident fee: $180
Non-resident fee: $340
Annual fees are prorated monthly after January 31
Examples:
General contractor or construction company working at job sites within Cochrane
Landscaping or lawn care business working across town
Cleaning service providing services at client sites
Resident fee: $180
Non-resident fee: $340
Annual fees are prorated monthly after January 31
Examples:
Food trucks
Mobile or pop-up retail vendors
Term licences
Licence term
Resident fee
Non-resident fee
3 months
$60
$110
6 months
$100
$200
Event licences
Event length
Fee
1 day
$65
2 days
$120
3 - 5 days
$160
Late payment penalties: $30
Business licences must be renewed annually. Under the Business Licence Bylaw, accounts with outstanding balances after February 1 are subject to a $30 late payment penalty.
Business licence appeal fee: $100
If you disagree with a business licence decision, you may be able to appeal in accordance with the Business Licence Bylaw.
Business requirements
A business licence is only one part of starting or operating a business. Depending on your business type, you may require additional permits, inspections or approvals.
Type of requirement
Details
Development permits
Some businesses may require a development permit before a business licence can be issued.
This commonly applies to:
Home-based type 2 businesses
New commercial uses
Changes in land use
Businesses operating from a new location
If required, development approval must be obtained before licensing.
Fire Inspections
A fire inspection is required for most commercial, retail, industrial, and customer-facing businesses. A business licence will not be issued until any required fire inspection has been successfully completed.
Health Inspections
Businesses involved in food preparation, food service, beverages, regulated products, or personal care services may require approval from Alberta Health Services.
Additional Permits & Licences
Some businesses may require approvals from municipal, provincial, or federal agencies. Businesses that commonly require additional approvals include:
Restaurants and cafés
Mobile food vendors
Childcare operators
Regulated professions
Businesses handling regulated materials
BizPaL is a free online tool that helps entrepreneurs identify permits and licences that may apply to their business.
Carried while operating and presented upon request
Keep your information up to date
You must notify the Town if any the following change:
Business ownership
Business name
Business address
Mailing address
Contact information
Service offerings
You can submit your updates through the business licence change request form. Keeping your information current helps ensure your licence remains valid.
Municipal bylaws
All businesses operating in Cochrane must comply with applicable Town bylaws, including:
Business Licence Bylaw: requires businesses operating in Cochrane to hold a valid business licence. Access the Business Licence Bylaw
Land Use Bylaw: Regulates how land and buildings can be used within Cochrane. This includes home-based businesses, commercial uses, parking requirements, signage and development permit requirements. Some business types may require development approval before a business licence can be issued. Access the Land Use Bylaw
Event Bylaw: Establishes requirements for events held within Cochrane, including permits, approvals and responsibilities for event organizers. If you are organizing a festival, market, trade show or other public event, additional approvals may be required. Access the Land Use Bylaw
Frequently asked questions
Yes. If you operate a business from your home in Cochrane, you need a business licence. This includes online businesses, businesses that do not have customers visiting the home, and businesses that provide services at another location.
Yes. If your business is located outside of Cochrane but you will be providing services or doing business within the Town, you are required to have a Town of Cochrane business licence.
In this situation, you would apply for a Non-Resident Contractor business licence. This licence allows businesses based outside of Cochrane to legally operate within the Town.
Possibly. Some businesses require additional permits, licences, or approvals from municipal, provincial, or federal agencies. Requirements depend on the products or services you provide. Use BizPaL to identify permits and licences that may apply to your business.
You must have a valid business licence before operating in Cochrane. Businesses operating without a licence may be subject to enforcement action under the Town's Business Licence Bylaw.
Unsure of what applies to your business? We're here to help!
