Starting a Business

Home based businesses are on the rise in Sturgeon County and represent a large percentage of the business community.

While this trend is positive and is an indicator of healthy economic growth, Sturgeon County is working to maintain the quality of life residents are accustomed to.

As such, Sturgeon County uses a three level criteria system to establish clear guidelines for operating a home based business. The system is based on how a home based business operates, regardless of the type of business. (For example, a business with no employees causes less impact on the surrounding neighborhood than one that has four employees.)

Below is a brief overview of the new system:

Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
General Definition
An office within the main residential home of the person who permanently resides there and has no external impact on the neighborhood.	An occupation, trade or craft conducted within the principal residential home and/or accessory building(s).	A trade or craft for support conducted within the principal residential home and/or accessory building(s).
Criteria
No on site client visits. No on site employees that do not reside in the household. No commercial vehicles may be parked on site. Storage of materials related to the home based business must be located in the principal dwelling.	Allows on site client visits with limitations. May employ up to two on site employees that do not reside in the household. Up to one commercial vehicle may be parked and/or stored on site. Storage of materials related to the home based business must be located in the principal dwelling and/or accessory building.	Allows on site client visits with limitations. May employ up to four on site employees that do not reside in the household. Up to three commercial vehicles may be parked stored and/or maintained on site. Exterior storage of materials related to the home based business are permitted at the discretion of the Development Approving Authority.
Development permit required.	Development permit required.	Development permit required.

For more detailed information about the new Home Based Business Three Level Criteria System, contact Planning & Development at 780-939-4321 or 1-866-939-9303.

Development Permit Application Form

HBB Application

Sign Application Form

Land Use District Map