License Appeals
A license appeal may be filed by anyone whose application for a license has been denied, or whose license has been made conditional, or has been suspended, or cancelled.
Appeal Process
Who will hear my appeal?
The Saskatoon License Appeal Board will hear your appeal. It is a body appointed by City Council as set out in The Saskatoon License Appeal Board Bylaw, 2012 and The Cities Act. The Board operates at arms length to hear appeals regarding the denial, suspension, cancellation or placement of conditions on licenses issued under The Business License Bylaw , The Adult Services Licensing Bylaw , The Vehicle for Hire Bylaw and The Cannabis Business License Bylaw. The Board members come from a variety of backgrounds and are not employees of the City of Saskatoon.
How do I appeal to the board?
An appeal form and filing instructions will be supplied to you with the notification that your application for a license has been denied, or has been made conditional, or has been suspended, or cancelled. You also have the option to file and pay for an appeal online. However you choose to file your appeal, the notice of appeal with the filing fee must be filed with the Secretary of the Board within 30 days after the date you are served with the City's decision.
When you file an appeal, you must:
- Provide the applicant mailing address and telephone numbers where the applicant can be reached;
- List the license number, license type and either the license expiry date or application date (whichever is applicable);
- State the location of the business (if applicable);
- Select whether your license was refused, suspended, cancelled, or made conditional;
- Clearly state the reason for the appeal;
- In summary form, list the particular facts on which the appeal is based, being as specific as possible;
- Sign and date the appeal; and
- Enclose the appeal fee.
The Notice of Appeal form and filing fee should be mailed or delivered to:
Secretary, License Appeal Board
City Clerk’s Office, City Hall
222 - 3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5
How much is the filing fee?
The filing fee for a license appeal is $50 and is non-refundable.
When will my appeal be heard?
Your appeal must be heard no later than 60 days after the date the notice of appeal is filed. You will be notified by registered mail and be provided with at least 30 days’ notice in writing of the location, date and time of your appeal. It is important that you pick up your registered mail.
Do I need to attend the hearing?
If you do not wish to attend the hearing, you may send someone to represent you. If you do not attend or are not represented, the Board may proceed with the hearing and make its decision based on your written Notice of Appeal and the information provided by the City’s representative, or they may dismiss the appeal without a hearing.
What happens at a hearing?
The Board members and parties to the appeal will be introduced. Anyone giving evidence before the Board will be asked to affirm that the evidence being presented is the truth. You will be asked to explain the situation to the Board. The City’s representative will then be given an opportunity to make its case to the Board. There will be an opportunity for questions from both you and the City’s representative. Board members may also have questions of both you and the City’s representative.
Is there anything else I should know about?
Notes are taken by the Secretary of the Board during your hearing and are for the Board’s use only.
If you wish to have any part of the hearing recorded or wish to have a transcript of the hearing for your own purposes, you must submit your request in writing to the Secretary of the Board at least two days prior to the date of the hearing. The Secretary of the Board will arrange for a certified court reporter to attend the hearing and you will be responsible for any recording or transcription fees (please contact the City Clerk’s Office for details regarding transcription fees). Unless there is a formal Order by the Chair of the Board, no one is allowed to make any recordings of any kind or photograph any portion of the proceedings.
The License Appeal Board conducts its hearings in public but may, upon application of any party to an appeal, close all or part of its hearing to the public if the matter to be discussed refers to personal information that constitutes an invasion of privacy that outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
Can I withdraw my appeal?
To withdraw an appeal, you must notify the Secretary of the License Appeal Board in writing at least seven days prior to the date on which the appeal is to be heard by the appeal board. The appeal fee is non-refundable.
When will the board make its decision?
The Board will make its decision after the hearing, and the written decision will be provided to you by registered mail within 10 days of the date of the decision.
Can I appeal the decision of the Saskatoon License Appeal Board?
No. Every decision of the License Appeal Board is final and not open to question or review in any court.