Business Licences

Licences are granted for a period of one-year beginning on January 1 and terminating on December 31.  Renewal fees are due prior to January 31st of each year.  A late payment fee of $25 will be applied to accounts where payment is received after this date.  

The annual licence fee is prorated for new businesses that begin operations after the first day of each quarter.  Fees are reduced as follows:

After April 1 reduced by 25%

After July 1 reduced by 50%

After October 1 reduced 75%

Basic Licence Fee $60 per year

Examples of businesses that fall under Tier 1 include:

• Business Services such as Real Estate Agents or Property Managers
• Contractors or tradespersons
• Home Based Businesses that do not require a Fire Inspection
• Secondary suites 
• Carriage houses
• Commercial/industrial office subleases

Basic plus fire inspection $135.00 year 

Examples of businesses that fall under Tier 2 include:

• Auctioneers
• Automotive Repair or Dealers
• Bed and Breakfasts
• Home based daycares
• Banks/Credit Unions
• Business services with a business location such as Real Estate Agents, Property Managers, Funeral Homes
• Storage Facilities
• Professional offices such as doctors, dentists, lawyers
• Retail/Wholesale Outlets
• Restaurants/Snack bars
• Unclassified such as gyms, dance studios
• Manufacturing 
• Transportation services
• Service stations
• Most commercial/industrial locations

Basic plus fire inspection and policing $360 year

Examples of businesses that fall under Tier 3 include:

• Pawn Brokers/Second Hand Dealers
• Body Rub Parlors
• Escort Services
• Nightclubs/Pubs (Liquor Primary Licences)

$500 per year + one time $250 application fee

Example of a business that falls under Tier 4 include: 

• Short Term Accommodation 

Applicable Tier plus additional $150 inter-municipal year 

It is the responsibility of the licence holder to notify the business licence department upon ceasing business operations so that the account may be cancelled.  If you fail to notify the City then billing will continue until we are otherwise advised. 

You are also required to notify the business licence department regarding a change in the business operations location.  

Short Term Accommodation 

A Short Term Accommodation (STA) is a form of accommodation where a part of a principal residence is rented to visitors for periods less than 30 days. The operation of a Short Term Accommodation is permitted in some areas of the City (Rural Zones: RU1, RU2, RU3, RU4, RU5; Residential Zones: R1 and R1L; Agriculture Zone: A1, and Comprehensive Development Zone CD1E. A maximum of four bedrooms can be rented, to a maximum of 2 adults per bedroom, for a single party of renters.

A business licence is required to operate a Short Term Accommodation. Please print the PDF application form and subsequent documents that are required to the Business Licence Desk located within City Hall for processing and payment, or request a physical copy of the application package at City Hall. 

Required Documentation

 Complete Application Package with all necessary attachments.

• One time application fee ($250) and an Annual Business Licence Fee ($500), paid in the form of Cheque, Cash, or Debit (to be included with your application package)
• Parking Site Plan
• Fire Safety Plan
• Self Evaluation Safety Audit Attestation 
• Good Neighbour Agreement
• Owner or Strata Authorization (if applicable)

Please refer to the Short Term Accommodation Operator Guidebook to become familiar with the requirements and regulations that must be complied with in order to operate an STA.

Additional Work

A building permit may be required to upgrade the dwelling unit where the Short Term Accommodation will be provided, to meet fire safety standards. Should these additional works be required, a business licence will not be issued prior to the satisfaction of this requirements.

Bed and Breakfast Business Licence

A Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation is permissible in most residential zones if the property does not have a carriage house or a secondary suite.  A maximum of 4 guests rooms are permitted with one off street parking space to be provided per guest room. 

A business licence is required to operate a bed & breakfast.  Please print the PDF application and bring it along with the supplemental paperwork that is required to the Business Licence Desk located within City Hall for processing and payment.

Required Documentation

•  
  • Site plan including the following information:
    • Location of the parking spaces for the B&B in the form of 1 parking space per guest room including dimensions.  All parking spaces must be off-street and within the property lines.  

for each level of the residence. The following information must be indicated on the floor plans:
• Label all rooms being used for the business operations;
• Means of egress from each floor including basements and bedrooms; 
• Window openings (egress) in bedrooms;
• Indicate the location of all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level.The alarms must meet the requirements of the BC Building Code in effect at the time of application;   
• Location, type and size of fire extinguishers. 

A Fire Safety Plan showing the general layout of the B&B facility, exit, fire extinguisher locations and instructions on "What to do in Case of Fire" will be required to be posted in a visible location and on the back of the door in the bedroom(s). See example. 

Inspections

An inspection is required by both the Fire and Building Departments as part of the licensing process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange the required inspections by calling the departments directly.  Please allow a minimum of two days between application and calling to book the inspections for processing the application.  

Fire Department, 778-797-3200 

Building Department, 778-797-8820

Bed and Breakfast info brochure (PDF)

Bed and Breakfast Business Licence Application (PDF) 

Commercial/Industrial Business Licence

A Commercial/Industrial Business Licence is necessary for any operations that provide a service or sells a physical product from a commercial location. It also applies to any operation that is involved with the processing of raw materials; or manufacturing, assembling, cleaning, testing, repairing, storing, shipping or distributing commercial or industrial materials.

Due to the potential complexity of these type of applications can be up to four weeks. As part of the licensing process referrals are made to the Planning, Building and Fire Departments in order to determine compliance with regulatory codes such as the BC Building Code and Fire Code as well as municipal bylaws. Certain types of operations also require a referral and the approval from Interior Health.  

There are many factors that need to be considered when exploring a commercial business location.  We have put together a New Business and Tenant Improvement Guide (PDF) to assist with some of the topics to explore prior to purchasing or signing a lease for a commercial space. 

A business licence is required to operate a commercial/industrial business.  Please print the PDF application and bring it along with the supplemental paperwork that is required to the Business Licence Desk located within City Hall for processing and payment.

Required Documentation 

• Site Plan including the following information:
  • Location of business unit in overall building; 
  • Names of neighbouring businesses and business operations if known;
  • Allocated parking spaces for unit;
  • any ramps, if applicable.
• Floor plan including the following information:
  • Label all rooms based on their use including dimensions;
  • Washroom location and if it is accessible;
  • Exit doors; 
  • Emergency lighting;
  • Fire extinguisher type and location;
  • Counter and display areas;
  • Shelving location and height;
  • Type of ventilation system if known or applicable;
  • Hazardous good storage location, if applicable.
• Title document to show ownership. If the property is owned by a number company or a corporation, a corporate title is required to indicate who has signing authority on behalf of the company. 

Inspections

An inspection is required by both the Fire and Building Departments as part of the licensing process with the exception of subleases.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange the required inspections by calling the department directly.  Please allow a minimum of five days between application and calling to book the inspections processing of the application and referrals.  The business operations must not be commence until the inspections are satisfactory.

Fire Department, 778-797-3200

Building Department, 778-797-8820

Commercial/Industrial Business Licence Application (PDF) 

Home Based Business Licence

Any business operations being conducted from a residential dwelling must hold a licence and comply with the zoning bylaw requirements.  The zoning bylaw regulates home based businesses based on classification which affects the maximum space to used for business operations, type of business, ability to have outside storage, and the number of employees and customers permitted. 

A business licence is required to operate a home based business.  Please print the PDF application and bring it along with the supplemental paperwork that is required to the Business Licence Desk located within City Hall for processing and payment.

There are two classifications of home based businesses and which one applies to your business operations will depend on your property zoning: 

Minor

Smaller business operation that is limited to 25% of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit to a maximum of 215.3 sq ft, only 1 client visit to the location at one time and limited retail sales.  To learn more, see HBB Minor. 

Major

Slightly larger business operation that bases maximum sq. ft usage on parcel size, maximum of 3 client visits at one time and allows for broader retail sales.  To learn more, see HBB Major. 

Most home based business operations do not require inspections but you will be advised if your type of operation will require any.  If you are planning on doing any construction to accommodate the business then you may need to obtain a building permit prior to commencing the work.  Please contact the Building Department to discuss your project. 

Building Department 778-797-8820.

Home Based Business Licence Application (PDF)

Home Based Business Licence - Child Care

A home based child care provides care to eight or fewer children within the principal residential dwelling and is permitted to operate in most residential zones. All home child care facilities must be licenced by the local Health Authority and comply with all relevant codes and bylaws relating to health and fire as they apply to a single family house.  

A business licence is required to operate a home based child care facility.  Please print the PDF application and bring it along with the supplemental paperwork that is required to the Business Licence Desk located within City Hall for processing and payment.

Required Documentation

• Site Plan including the following information:
  • Location of parking allocated for drop off, pick up and employee parking;
  • Access to the child care area if different than main entrance to home.
• Floor plan including the following information:
  • Label all rooms being used for the child care operations;
  • Means of egress from each floor area including basements and sleeping areas;
  • Window openings (egress) in any bedrooms being used; 
  • Location of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level. The alarms must meet the requirements of the BC Building Code in effect at the time of application;   
  • Location, type and size of fire extinguishers;
  • Location of any fire places and heating stoves.

A Fire Safety Plan showing the general layout of the facility, exits, fire extinguisher locations and instructions on "What to do In Case of Fire" is required to be posted in a visible location.  See example. 

Inspections

An inspection is required by both the Fire and Building Departments as part of the licensing process.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange the required inspections by calling the departments directly.  Please allow a minimum of two days between application and calling to book the inspections for processing of the application.  

Fire Department 778-797-3200

Building Department 778-797-8820

Home Based Business Licence Application - Child Care (PDF)

Inter-Community Business Licence

If a business operates in more than one community, it may be eligible for an Inter-Community Business Licence. This program allows businesses to purchase their municipal licence and only one additional licence, instead of having to purchase a licence with each municipality in which they operate. This licence is available for an additional $150; this fee is prorated on a quarterly basis.  There is no separate application form required for this licence, you must advise the Business Licence Department of your wish to add this to your basic licence. 

A business that operates a mobile operation may only purchase an Inter-Community Business Licence from the municipality in which they are resident. If the applicant does not maintain a premise in any of the participating municipalities, then they may apply at any one of the participating municipalities.

Certain types of businesses are not eligible for an Inter-Community Licence, such as escort agencies, body rub services and vehicles for hire (taxis, limousines and buses). These businesses require a licence from each municipality in which they operate.

Participating Communities:

• City of Armstrong
• District of Coldstream
• City of Enderby
• City of Kelowna
• Village of Keremeos
• District of Lake Country
• Regional District of Central Okanagan
• Village of Lumby
• City of Merritt
• Town of Oliver
• Town of Osoyoos
• District of Peachland
• City of Penticton
• Town of Princeton
• City of Revelstoke
• City of Salmon Arm
• Township of Spallumcheen
• District of Summerland
• City of Vernon
• City of West Kelowna
• District of Sicamous

Non Resident Business Licence

Businesses that do not have a physical location in West Kelowna but perform services within the city still require a business licence.

Contractors, electricians, engineers, photographers and plumbers are a few examples of types of businesses that require a non-resident business licence.

A business licence is required to operate a non resident business.  Please print the PDF application and bring it along with the supplemental paperwork that is required to the Business Licence Desk located within City Hall for processing and payment.

Non Resident Business Licence Application (PDF)

Mobile Restaurants (Food Truck)

All mobile restaurants must be in good mechanical condition and meet all food handling requirements set out by Interior Health and approval must be obtained from Interior Health as part of the licensing process. 

All vehicles intended for use as a mobile restaurant shall be insured under a comprehensive liability polity or insurance for two million dollars with the City named as an additional insured party.  

A business licence is required to operate a mobile vending business.  Please print the PDF application and bring it along with the supplemental paperwork that is required to the Business Licence Desk located within City Hall for processing and payment.

Inspection

An inspection is required by the Fire Department as part of the licensing process.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to arrange the required inspection by calling them directly. Please allow a minimum of two days between application and calling to book the inspection to allow for processing of the application.  

Fire Department 778-797-3200

Mobile Restaurant Business Licence Application (PDF)