The City of Edmonton has introduced an amendment to the City’s Business Licence Bylaw dropping the requirement for businesses to have an inspection done by the Edmonton Fire Rescue Service (EFRS) before a licence will be given.
Fire Prevention Officers will continue to perform inspections, but instead of waiting for the process to be completed, businesses will receive a licence immediately, allowing for a turnaround an average of 12 days quicker.
“Each year, over 1,500 new businesses will now receive their licences faster, resulting in substantial cost savings, increasing our economic competitiveness while maintaining community and building safety,” said Travis Pawlyk, Branch Manager of Development Services, Urban Planning and Economy.
Since 2024, Edmonton has been making active measures to cut red tape around starting businesses in Edmonton, including new zoning bylaws, more simplified permit and licence application questions and a new commercial business resource handbook.
“Business owners have told us that they want the City to feel like a partner in their business, not just a hurdle to jump,” said Pawlyk. “We know the regulatory environment can be confusing for new businesses to navigate, from the Business Licence Bylaw to the Zoning Bylaw, as well as the Building Code.”
Since 2019, red tape reductions and service improvements have saved an estimated 167,000 days and 9.2 million dollars each year.
