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Step 5 of 12

Check your municipal permits and zoning

In Newfoundland and Labrador, home business rules are set by your city or town.

Time
1–2 hours
Cost
Varies by municipality

Check your municipal permits and zoning: step-by-step guide

Screenshots use a made-up example business. Official sites change, so yours may look slightly different.

  1. City of St. John's starting a business page with the link to its guide to municipal regulations for business highlighted
    1. Each municipality sets its own rules. St. John's, for example, publishes a guide to the municipal regulations and permits that apply to businesses. Look up your own city or town in the same way.

Screenshots captured 2026-10-18. See something different? Report a problem

It depends on your municipality

We found no general provincial business licence for a small retailer. Each city or town sets its own rules.

In St. John's, there is no general retail licence, but a home business must follow the City's home occupation rules: it can use at most 45 m² or a quarter of your home's floor area, and retail sales must be incidental to the business. A Change of Occupancy permit costs $50. Ask the City which rules apply to online sales shipped from home before you start.

Look up your own municipality rather than assuming the St. John's answer applies to you.

Be upfront about what you sell

Some products or business types carry extra by-laws or requirements, including food. Tell your municipality exactly what you will sell so you know before you start, not after.

Keep the answer

If the City confirms you do not need a permit, get that in writing or save the page. Banks and suppliers sometimes ask.

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