Opening a Cannabis Retail Store

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You will need a development permit, a building permit (if you plan to do any interior or exterior construction to your retail space), and a business licence before an Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) Commission retail cannabis store licence will be issued to you.

How to Submit Your Application

Zoning Regulations

The Zoning Bylaw outlines which zones allow cannabis stores and potential applicants are encouraged to review a property’s zoning through maps.edmonton.ca. If you are interested in rezoning a property to permit a Cannabis Retail Store use, please visit the City of Edmonton’s rezoning web page for more information about the process, timelines, and application requirements.

Section 6.30 contains additional regulations that Cannabis Retail Stores must follow. These include separation distances from other Cannabis Retail Stores as well as other land uses, among other rules.

Development Permit Requirements

New Construction Requirements

Visit the New Buildings web page for information on permit application requirements, processes and fees

Using Existing Retail Space Requirements

Visit the Changes to Existing Buildings Web page for information on permit application requirements, processes and fees
Site Plan (sample)
Floor Plan (sample)
Certificate of Title (sample)

Sign Requirements

Information on applying for a Sign Permit
AGLC guide for Store Name and Signs

Edmonton Fire Rescue Cannabis Guidelines

Edmonton Fire Rescue Service is providing these Cannabis Guidelines to applicants interested in opening a Cannabis Retail Store, Cannabis Cultivation Facility, or Cannabis Processing Facility to help them understand Alberta Fire Code requirements and best practices for these types of businesses.

Building Permit Requirements

Commercial Final Permit Requirements

Full and complete application (made online at selfserve.edmonton.ca)
Fees
Construction Drawings
Supporting Documents

Business Licence Requirements

A valid business licence with the Cannabis Retail Sales business category is required before you can operate a Cannabis Retail Store:

Business Licence Application Form
Fees: This is a tier 3 fee category under Business Licence Bylaw 20002 . See the fee schedule for one or two-year licence term fee options.
Corporate Applicants Only: City staff will attempt to verify your legal entity on your behalf; however, you may be required to provide a current Corporate Registry Search document (sample).
Fire Rescue Services will be consulted for a recommendation before a licence may be issued.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC) and the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) will be notified of your application.
You must obtain a licence to operate a cannabis retail business from AGLC within 14 days after your business licence is issued, otherwise, your licence may be suspended.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) Requirements

In addition to City of Edmonton approvals, you are also required to obtain an Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) retail cannabis store licence.

For more information, visit the AGLC cannabis website, licence page, or review their handbook.

Applying for a Development Permit

To submit a complete development permit application package for cannabis retail sales, you can apply online at selfserve.edmonton.ca. You will be able to manage the project through the dashboard, add and change trades, schedule inspections and find copies of reviewed plans and permit documents.

Note: A complete application is required for review and decision. If items are missing, there will be delays in processing your application.

Applying for a Building Permit

You can apply for permits online at selfserve.edmonton.ca.

You will be able to manage the project through the dashboard, add and change trades, request inspections and find copies of reviewed plans and permit documents.

Applying for a Business Licence

A complete business licence application package can be submitted:

Online
By mail to:

Development Services
2nd Floor, Edmonton Tower
10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0J4

Payment Options

The City of Edmonton accepts a variety of payment options for your permits and licence application fees:

Certified cheques (fastest and preferred method of payment)
Personal or corporate cheques
Cash
Credit Card, maximum $10,000 transaction
Interac Debit Electronic Fund Transfer , minimum $5000 transaction

Please include your City File Number with your payment, which can be made in person at the Edmonton Service Centre, by booking an appointment or by sending by mail to:

Edmonton Service Centre

City of Edmonton

2nd Floor, 10111 104 Ave NW

Edmonton AB T5J 0J4

Cancellation and/or Refund Requests

If you want to cancel your development permit application and/or request a refund for any reason, submit a completed Cancellation and/or Refund Request Form to the City of Edmonton.

No refunds will be granted for development permit applications if the technical review has commenced or if a decision has been made. Where the technical review has not commenced, $114, or 20% of the development permit fee, whichever is greater, will be retained for administration costs.

No refunds will be granted if the applicant requests the City of Edmonton to deem the development permit application a refusal.

Refunds for Building Permit and trade permits will only be considered if applied for within 90 days of permit issuance and if no work has started. A sum of $114, or 20% of each permit fee, whichever is greater, will be retained for administration costs.

Business Licence fees are non-refundable.

City of Edmonton Business Licence Conditions for Cannabis Retail Sales

If you are issued a City of Edmonton Cannabis Retail Sales business licence, you must follow these requirements (section 42 of the Business Licence Bylaw):

The licensee must require proof of age from any person entering the premises or attempting to purchase cannabis who appears to be less than 40 years old. If a person fails to provide proof that they are 18 years of age or older when required, the licensee must:
- Not provide cannabis to that person; and
- Refuse the person entry to the premises or ask that person to immediately leave the premises.

Additional Information: The hours of operation for cannabis retail stores are restricted by AGLC. Please refer to the AGLC Retail Cannabis Store web page for current information about operating hours.

Post-Application Requirements

In addition to City of Edmonton approvals, businesses are required to obtain an Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) Retail Cannabis Store licence within two weeks of issuance of a City business licence.

Businesses are encouraged to apply for an AGLC cannabis licence before, or during the business licence application process.

A business licence will be automatically suspended if:

The licensee has not obtained a valid AGLC Retail Cannabis Store licence within two weeks of issuance
The type of AGLC cannabis licence does not align with the approved business licence category
The AGLC Retail Cannabis Store licence expires or is cancelled or suspended

Contact Us

311 Contact Centre

Online	Contact 311 Online

If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Phone	311
TTY	711