If you are doing business, or even advertising a business, in Weyburn, you must be licensed by the City of Weyburn.

“You do need to make an application if you’re doing any kind of business for financial gain,” said City Clerk Donette Richter.

There are two types of business licenses: a business license and a general license. A business license is for anybody who is operating in the city with a commercial door front. A general license is required by anyone who is doing business locally but does not have a storefront.

“If you wish to do a business out of your home, then you make an application for a general license,” said Richter.

If you’re hiring someone local to do a service and they do not have a storefront, Richter recommends checking with the City to ensure the business has a valid license.

“If you are hiring someone and you are paying them to do a service, and you don’t know them, you should definitely call and see if they have a business license."

The general business license, however, is just the minimum requirement.

“I’m not saying that I’m going to endorse it,” she explained. “Unfortunately, if you fill out the form and you pay your money, you get a license,” she said.

“I can’t tell you if they’re a good business or not, but it’s a good place to start,” she added. “If they’re not licensed, then you probably shouldn’t hire them. But at least if they’re licensed, that’s one box checked off.”

She said she will look into anyone who is operating or advertising a local business if it is brought to her attention by someone calling to inquire, or even if she sees a poster around Weyburn.

Richter noted, however, that she personally doesn’t patrol social media sites looking for illegal business advertising, however, those interested in hiring someone advertising on social media can bring it to her attention and she will determine whether or not they have paid for a license.

Those participating only in farmer's markets, trade shows and similar events or gatherings may not need to apply, as the license is purchased by event organizers. However, anyone advertising a business that operates outside of the venue covered by the license should also have their own general license.

She added that even if someone is coming to Weyburn from elsewhere to offer goods or services, they must have a general license. 

General license fees vary.

“The commercial storefronts all pay the same amount, it’s a flat fee,” she explained. “But the general licenses, depending on what kind of business you’re doing, the license amount can vary. They vary in price from 25 dollars right up to 420 dollars, depending on what sort of business it is, and that’s per calendar year.”

Richter noted that, no matter the cost of the license, it’s not worth risking the penalty of not having one. The fines for doing business without a license can be up to $5,000.

“Basically, if you are doing work in the City of Weyburn, and it comes to our attention and we send you an invoice, and you are required to pay and you refuse to pay or choose not to pay, you could actually be fined up to five thousand dollars,” she explained.

The bylaws indicate jail time could be a possibility, however, Richter said that she has never seen anybody go to jail over a business license. However, fines can also be applied to the person who hires the unlicensed business.

More City of Weyburn bylaw information on business licenses can be found HERE.