To register a new business with the City of Corner Brook, you will first need to fill out a Development Application.  If you need to carry out renovations to the property, you will also need to fill out the Building Permit section of this form.  Please note that a building permit is not required for interior painting, finished flooring, or re-placement of common plumbing fixtures such as toilets or faucets. For any clarifications, please contact the Development and Inspection Division, Tel: 709-637-1549, email: dskinner@cornerbrook.com

Completing the Development Application is simple, and includes:

• Business owner’s contact information and property address
• Property owner’s contact information (if different from the business owner)
• Check “New Business” box in the Development section
• For “description of work” section, describe nature of business (use as much detail as possible)
• Signature is required from your landlord as “property owner”, as necessary

If your business is for a permitted use in the zone, the standard application fee is $50.00.  If your business is determined to be a discretionary use for a zone, it needs to be approved by the City Council following a public notice in the local newspaper. The cost is $150.00 to cover the cost of advertising.  Additional costs are required if building permits are needed.  For further information, please refer to City of Corner Brook Development Regulations 2012 that be accessed here.  To find out if your business is a permitted or discretionary use for a specific zone, please contact the Development and Inspections Division at 709-637-1549.

For details of business tax and their calculations, please visit the Business Tax page. Assuming your business is classified as “Personal Service”, you would be taxed at 1.7% which equates to an annual tax bill of $170.00.  Tax rates are reviewed annually and bills are sent out in January of each year.  Businesses starting during the year are only responsible for tax payable for the remainder of the current year.  Click here for more detailed information on business tax regulations.

Market research can be your first start to moving your idea into a business plan.

The Canada Business Newfoundland and Labrador provides information on various aspects and stages of business, such as starting, planning, financing, managing and growing.  Their services can be accessed online or by calling toll-free at 1-888-576-4444 or 709-772-6022.

Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
1-709-639-2976
2 Herald Avenue, Mill brook Mall

Statistics Canada is a great resource for conducting comparison analysis and gathering information on:

• labour markets
• income levels
• education levels
• demographics
• employment trends
• community profile

Community Accounts is a provincial statistic database that has information based on the community or area in which you have chosen to operate your business.  The website is organized to show statistics in the areas of demographics, income, education, employment, etc.

Often times people have the misconception that a business plan is only required if they are seeing financing.  This could not be further from the truth!  Aside from securing external financing, a business plan helps to:

• monitor and evaluate the success of your business
• provide structure and timelines
• identify problems

You should also be mindful that a business plan is a living document that will need updating and changing as your business expands.  Regardless of whether you intend to use your plan internally, or as a document for external people, it should still take an objective and honest look at your business.  Failing to do this could mean that you and others have unrealistic expectations of what can be achieved.

Your business plan should provide details of how you are going to develop your business, when you are going to do it, who is going to be involved, and how you will manage the money.  Clarity on these issues is particularly important if you’re looking for finance or investment.  The process of building your plan will also focus your mind on how your new business will need to operate to give it the best chance for success.  Your plan should include:

• an executive summary
• a short description of the business opportunity
• your marketing and sales strategy
• your management team and personnel
• your operations
• financial forecasts

A guide to writing a business plan and sample templates are available at www.canadabusiness.ca.

As per The City of Corner Brook Development Regulations, separate zones have been earmarked for industrial, commercial, residential, and other purposes.  Each zone has permitted uses (example: an industrial project to be set up in an industrial area) and discretionary uses (example: a commercial business to be set up in a residential zone).  The Regulations, along with the Land Use Zoning Maps, can be accessed here.

If you propose to set up a business for discretionary use for a zone, the City will provide a seven-day public notice about your application, after the proposal has been approved by City Council.  If your proposed business is for neither permitted nor discretionary use for a zone, you may submit a re-zoning request. However such requests must be backed by strong rationale.

It is recommended that you speak to the Business Facilitator before buying or leasing space to ensure that your business is in the right zone.  If necessary, we will arrange a meeting with the Planning department to respond to all your questions and concerns related to zoning.

You will need to submit a Development Application in the following instances, by completing a Building Permit / Development Application Form along with the specified fee.

• new business
• home-based business
• change of use
• new building
• building relocation
• demolition
• site development
• subdivision or consolidation of property

For a new or home-based business, please describe the type of business and activity in your application. For construction work related to the building or site, include a legal survey, a location certificate or real property report, along with development plans.

If required, the Business Facilitator will organize a meeting with the appropriate departments to discuss your specific needs.

A building permit is required if you are constructing, repairing, or altering a building.  In this case, please furnish specific information in the Building Permit/Development Application Form along with a legal survey and building plans. New commercial developments may also require engineering drawings.  The application must accompany the specified fee.

A building permit is not required for interior jobs, such as interior painting, flooring or replacement of common plumbing fixtures such as faucets.

Once the completed application is received and there are no outstanding issues, the City will promptly review the plan according to the City’s building regulations. The time for review may vary depending upon the size and complexity of the project.

After the work is completed, the City will conduct a final inspection and on being satisfied will issue a “Permit to Occupy” certificate, thereby allowing you to start your business in that space.

A Permit to Occupy is required, when:

• the building is new
• the use of the building is changed
• there is a change of ownership of the building
• the building has been vacant for more than six months.

A Business Signage could be permanent or temporary.

Permanent signage could be:

1. On-site signage, which is within the property boundaries of the business.
2. Off-site signage, which is outside of the property boundaries of the business, but within a reasonable distance of the premises. Off-site signage requires approval of the Council.

A completed Building Permit/Development Application Form must be submitted to the City, along with the specified fees. The approved size of the sign depends on its placement and land-use zoning. For signage guidelines, as outlined in the City’s Development Regulations, please here.

Temporary Signage

To erect a temporary sign within the boundaries of the City of Corner Brook, you would need to submit a temporary sign application to the City, along with the specified fees. Temporary sign is allowed for a maximum period of 6 (six) months, that can be extended on application.