Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits

Application for Committee Appointment

Thank you for your interest in the City of Yellowknife's Committees, Boards and Commissions. To view current vacancies please visit our committee page.

Application for Committee Appointment

Building Services

Permit Applications can be made by:

• Accessing our Cityview online permitting software
• Emailing Permits@yellowknife.ca
• Attending in person at City Hall during regular business hours

Apply for Permits

Building Services Division general inquires can be made by:

• Phoning @ (867) 920-5600
• Emailing buildingservices@yellowknife.ca

Building Inspection requests can be made by:

• Phoning @ (867) 920-5600
• Emailing inspectionrequest@yellowknife.ca

Paper (offline) Applications

• Permit Application and Authorization
  

Letters of Assurance

• Letters of Assurance Guidelines
• Form C - Letter of Assurance
  
• Form D and E - Letter of Assurance
• Form F - Letter of Assurance
• Form G - Letter of Assurance

Forms

• Authorization of Agent Form
• Deck Building Permit Application Information Form
• Oil Burning Equipment Form
• Part 9 - Solid Fuel Appliance and Equipment Form
• Part 9 - Ventilation Compliance Form
• Residential Building Energy Efficiency Form
• Spray Foam Insulation Requirements Form

Other City of Yellowknife Divisions Applications:

• Planning and Lands
• Public Works and Services
• Orderly Use of Highway permission from Public Works and Engineering

Other agencies involved in the building process:

Electrical and Gas and Other specific Installations

GNWT-Public Works and Services for inspections, registration and permits for: electrical work, elevators; boilers and pressure vessels; gas installations.

Office of the Fire Marshal Plan Evaluations

GNWT-Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) for plan reviews and specifications for the construction, alteration or repair of structures to make sure proper precautions are taken against fire and the spread of fire.

Energy Efficiency Evaluations

Arctic Energy Alliance (AEA) for energy efficiency evaluations and advice.

Business Licensing

• Business Licence Application and Development Permit Application Form for Home Based Business
• Business Licence Application Form - Commercial
• Business Licence Application Form - Short Term Rental Accommodation
• Business Licence Notification and Development Permit Application for Moving a Home Based Business 
• Information Update for Business Licence Application 
• Information Update for Non-Resident Business Licence

Please see the Fees and Charges By-law No. 4436 (pages 3 to 7) for information regarding the business licence fees organized by the type of business licence/service.

View our online Business Directory to look up local businesses.

Business Licence Fee Waiver

The City of Yellowknife is taking action to help local businesses and our economy recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The City will waive business licence fees for all local businesses when renewing their business licence from November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023. 

Apply online to waive your business licence fee or in person at City Hall.

Please, carefully read the FAQ before applying.

Apply online to waive your business licence fee or in person at the City Hall.

For more information, contact us at ecd@yellowknife.ca or 867.669.3424

Economic Development

Filming

The Department of Economic Development and Strategy is pleased to assist you with any questions regarding filming on municipal lands in Yellowknife. View our Filming Agreement and Orderly Use of Highway Permit Application (Road Closure).

Community Services

Community Programs and Events

• Large Item Pick-Up
• Access for All
• Community Grant Funding

Other

• Lakeview Cemetery Monument Permit (pdf)

Recreation Programs

• Child Informed Consent form
• Adult Informed Consent form

Finance, Lottery and Tax forms

• E-billing
• Cancel your existing Pre-Authorized Payment
  
• Change of Information form
• Pre-authorized Payment form - Utilities
• Pre-authorized Payment form - Vendors
• Pre-authorized Tax Installment Form
• Baling Facility New Account Form

Lottery forms:

• Bingo Licence Application
• Bingo Statement of Account
• Lottery Licence Amendment Request
• Raffle Application
• Raffle Statement of Account
• Super Bingo Information

Tax forms:

• Board of Revision Appeal Form

• School Support Declaration Form
• Senior & Disabled Tax Relief Form

Fire Division

• Burning Permit / Use of Fireworks Request
  • Fire Pit Information Sheet (PDF)
• Request for Residential Fire Inspection
  • Residential Fire Inspection Check Sheet (PDF)

Food Vending Permit

• Complete a Business License application
  • Home Based Business (must have a Yellowknife address)
  • Commercial Business

For more information regarding business licensing expand the business licensing tab above.

• Prior to the Business License being issued you will need to provide proof of:

  • Propane / Gas inspection (if applicable) - Government of the Northwest Territories at (867) 767-9043 ask to speak to a Gas Inspector.
    • If not applicable then proof that an inspection is not necessary
  • Health Inspection - Government of the Northwest Territories at (867) 767-9066 ask to speak to a Health Inspector.
  • Proof of 2 million dollar liability insurance listing the City of Yellowknife as an additionally insured

  Once a Business License is issued you will be required to sign a Food Vendor Agreement.

  The City's Business By-law states that all vendors must  comply with Territorial & Federal laws/regulation. This includes:

• If required by the NWT Office of the Fire Marshal (867.767.9161), a Plan Review
  
  • Cooking Operations - Recommendations
  • Cooking Operations - Inspection Recommendations

Once the Food Vendor Agreement is signed a parking permit is required which is purchased at City Hall.  2023 Food Vendor Parking Map

Questions: Please contact us at businesslicence@yellowknife.ca or 867.920.5600

Planning and Lands

Online Permitting

Go paperless and submit applications for a Development Permit, Variance, Request for a Certificate of Compliance or File Information through CityView Online Permitting Software.

LEARN HOW TO ...

Submit a development permit
Apply for Permits

Paper Application Forms (Planning)

Customers can still fill out paper applications and submit them to permits@yellowknife.ca or in-person at City Hall during regular business hours.

Downtown Sidewalk Patio

• Downtown Sidewalk Patio Application Package
  • Please also read and submit this agreement form. 

Development Permits

• Development Permit Application
• Variance Request Application
• Grading Plan Requirements for Development Permit Applications 
• Water and Sewer Servicing Requirements for Development Permit Applications 
• Home Based Business Application

Heritage

• Heritage Recognition or Designation
• Heritage Restoration

Land Related

• Application to Lease or Purchase Land
• License Agreement Request Form (for encroachments on public land)
• Application to Occupy Municipal Lands for Geotechnical Testing

Request for Information

• File Information Request Application/Certificate of Compliance Application

 Residential Parking Pass

• Residential Parking Permit Application

Site and/or Building Improvement

• Smart Growth Development Incentive Tax Abatement and Grant Form

 Zoning By-law or 2020 Community Plan Amendments

• Zoning By-law and/or 2020 Community Plan Amendment Application

Public Safety

• Dog Licenses
• Downtown Residential Parking Passes
• Loading Zone Permit application
• Parade or Procession application
• Parking Meter Exemptions
• Snowmobiles
• Special Events

Boat Licences

A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (or equivalent proof of competency) is required to operate a power-driven watercraft in Canada to show that you understand the rules of the water and how to safely operate a boat.  The Pleasure Craft Operator Card is commonly known as a Boating License or Boat Card.

You can get one by passing an accredited boating safety test, such as the Boat Smart Exam.

Learn more about Transport Canada Boating Safety.

Blasting

Blasting is a common practice in construction in Yellowknife given our location and ground conditions. Prior to commencing a blast, blasting companies are required to notify the appropriate authorities, including the City's Fire Division, Municipal Enforcement Division and Department of Public Works and Engineering. It should be noted that blasting is often dependent upon weather and site specific conditions which may cause delays in the blasting schedule.

Blasts are regulated under the NWT Explosives Act which is enforced by the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC). Should you have questions with regard to blasting within the community, please contact the WSCC or the local blasting companies.

Public Works and Engineering

Water Services

Water Services information

Construction

Road Closures Requests

For any construction work done in Yellowknife that affects a road or alley an Orderly Use of Highways Permit Application must be submitted to the City for approval. Please allow a minimum of three business days for this application to be processed.

Transit

Yellowknife Accessible Transit Service (YATS)

To register for YATS, please download the YATS Application Form. The form contains a section that must be completed by a health care professional. For more information on the YATS application process please visit Accessible Transit.

Outdoor Space Grant

The City is offering local businesses up to $10,000 to expand their outdoor space and we want to hear your ideas.

Possible scenarios include: 

• Utilizing the sidewalk adjacent to your business
• Using outdoor spaces (parking) for patios, tents and kiosks
• Street closure for multi-business sidewalk sale

All ideas will be reviewed. 

Apply to the Outdoor Space Grant or for more information contact us at ecd@yellowknife.ca or 867.669.3424

Indoor Space Improvement Grant

Please Note: This program will consider any eligible costs/expenses incurred after May 10, 2021.

Apply for an Indoor Space Improvement Grant.

For more information, contact us at ecd@yellowknife.ca or 867.669.3424

Yellowknife Business Services Grant

Starting May 1, 2022, eligible businesses are invited to apply for up to $5,000 under the Yellowknife Business Services Grant. The grant intends to cover costs related to various services that businesses have incurred or will incur to re-open or return to full capacity operations.

Please Note: This program will consider any eligible costs/expenses incurred as of January 1, 2022.

Apply for the Yellowknife Business Services Grant.

For more information, contact us at ecd@yellowknife.ca or 867.669.3424

COVID-19 Business Recovery Grant

The City of Yellowknife is providing grants of up to $10,000 to eligible small and medium-sized businesses still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information click here. 

Yellowknife Festival & Events COVID-19 Recovery Grant Program

The City of Yellowknife is supporting the recovery of the festivals and events sector by offering grants to local organizations to encourage their return so they can continue to build and inspire our community through vibrant experiences bringing people and visitors together again.

For more information click here.