{"title":"Castlegar business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Castlegar, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/castlegar","name":"Castlegar","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"business","name":"Starting and running a business"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Castlegar","url":"https://www.castlegar.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Every person who owns or operates a business in Castlegar needs a City licence for each business and each premises, including home-based businesses and mobile vendors. Apply in person at City Hall or by email to Development Services at devserv@castlegar.ca. Fees depend on the type of business.","aliases":["castlegar business licence","business license castlegar","start a business in castlegar","how to get a business licence castlegar"],"cost":"Set by Schedule A of Bylaw 1337 by type of business. Examples: contractors $100; home occupations $100; commercial retail under 6,000 sq ft $150; mobile vendor $250. Applications from July 1 pay 50%.","how_long":"The City says a licence is issued within a few days to a few weeks, depending on application volume.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Development Services, City Hall","value":"460 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, BC V1N 1G7"},{"type":"email","label":"Development Services","value":"devserv@castlegar.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-365-8964"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Apply for a Business Licence (City page)","url":"https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/"},{"title":"Business Licence Guide (PDF)","url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated, PDF)","url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf"},{"title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1246 (PDF)","url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1246-Consolidated-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Castlegar home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Castlegar short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/short-term-rental/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/fruitvale","name":"Fruitvale","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/trail","name":"Trail","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/warfield","name":"Warfield","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/rossland","name":"Rossland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nelson","name":"Nelson","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/salmo","name":"Salmo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/business-licence/"}],"topic":{"title":"Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence/"},"facts":{"who_needs":{"label":"Who needs one","value":"Every person who owns or operates a business in Castlegar needs a licence for each business and each premises, including home-based businesses, mobile vendors and outside businesses working in the City on occasion. Exempt (s. 3.6): non-commercial societies and charities, occasional non-profit fund-raising, tenancy-act rentals, and government activity.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 3.1, 3.2","quotes":["Every person who owns or operated a business within the City of Castlegar shall","Every person who operates a business at more than one premises, shall obtain a","a society registered in British Columbia or Canada or a registered charitable","rental of a dwelling unit where the rental agreement is subject to the"]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf","title":"Business Licence Guide (PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"Business Licence","quotes":["This includes businesses that are located"]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 3.6","quotes":["a society registered in British Columbia or Canada or a registered charitable","rental of a dwelling unit where the rental agreement is subject to the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Set by Schedule A of Bylaw 1337 by type of business. Examples: contractors $100; home occupations $100; commercial retail under 6,000 sq ft $150; professional (one person) $150; accommodation 0-5 rooms $100; mobile vendor seasonal or annual $250. Applications from July 1 pay 50%.","short":"By type: $100 to $150 (contractors $100)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["$100 CONTRACTORS","$100 HOME OCCUPATIONS","$150 COMMERCIAL RETAIL (UNDER 6,000 SQUARE FEET)","$250 MOBILE FOOD OR RETAIL VENDORS (SEASONAL OR ANNUAL)"]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 6.5","quotes":["Licence applications received on or after July 1st, will be subject to a fifty (50) percent"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Submit the application and fee in person at City Hall or by email to devserv@castlegar.ca. Staff review it against the Zoning, Sign and Building bylaws; a fire inspection or other inspection may be required before the licence issues.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf","title":"Business Licence Guide (PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"How do I Submit an Application?","quotes":["devserv@castlegar.ca. Business licence fees can be paid in person at City Hall or virtually through the"]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf","title":"Business Licence Guide (PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"Step 3 and Step 4","quotes":["compliance with applicable regulations such as the City’s Zoning Bylaw, Sign Bylaw and Building","An Inspection may be required prior to a licence being issued."]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/","title":"Apply for a Business Licence, City of Castlegar","section":"Business Licence Fire Inspections","quotes":["The Castlegar Fire Department is dedicated to improving the overall safety of businesses within our"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"A licence runs January 1 to December 31. Renewal invoices are mailed at the end of December and are due January 31; a $50 penalty applies after that.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 5.1, 6.6","quotes":["to commence January 1st and to terminate on December 31, on each and every year.","shall be subject to a penalty fee of fifty (50) dollars."]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/","title":"Apply for a Business Licence, City of Castlegar","section":"Business Licence Renewal","quotes":["City of Castlegar Business Licence renewal invoices are mailed out at the end of December each year."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. The Inter-Community Business Licence costs $100, on top of the regular Castlegar licence fee. It lets mobile businesses (trades, cleaning, pest control and similar) work in other participating communities without a standard licence there. It is not available for taxis, mobile food vendors or similar excluded businesses.","short":"Yes, $100 (mobile businesses)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1246-Consolidated-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1246 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 4","quotes":["The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $100.00 and shall be paid in","The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is separate and additional to any"]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1246-Consolidated-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1246 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 2 and Schedule A","quotes":["more than one Participating Government by moving from client to client rather than having","Mobile food vendors, fruit stands, flea markets, trade shows or other similar Businesses."]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/","title":"Apply for a Business Licence, City of Castlegar","section":"Apply for a Business Licence","quotes":["The city is a member of the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business Licensing program"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket for operating without a business licence: $200, or $100 if paid within 30 days. On conviction in court: $100 to $2,000.","short":"Ticket $200 ($100 if paid in 30 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1179.Municipal-Ticketing-2.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"Schedule B-3, s. 3.1","quotes":["No business licence $200 $100"]},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 15.2","quotes":["conviction thereof, be liable to a penalty of not less than $100.00 (one hundred"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1337, 2020","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), City of Castlegar","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as ‘Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1337, 2020’."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf), every person who owns or operates a business in Castlegar needs a licence for each business and each premises. This includes home-based businesses, mobile vendors and outside businesses that work in the City on occasion.\n\nNot covered (s. 3.6): non-commercial societies and charities, occasional non-profit fund-raising, rentals under the Residential Tenancy Act, and government activity. These exemptions apply only to non-commercial or occasional activity.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zoning (see zoning-lookup) and fill in the Business Licence Application.\n2. Submit the application and fee in person at City Hall or by email to devserv@castlegar.ca. Fees are paid at application and are not refundable.\n3. Staff review it against the Zoning, Sign and Building bylaws. A fire inspection or other inspection may be required before the licence is issued.\n4. Renew each year. A licence runs January 1 to December 31. Renewal invoices are mailed at the end of December and are due January 31, with a $50 penalty after that. You can pay online by credit card, through online banking, by cheque, or at City Hall.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Fees are set by type of business in Schedule A of Bylaw 1337. An application received on or after July 1 gets a half-year licence ending December 31 at 50% of the fee.\n- Mobile businesses working in several communities can buy an Inter-Community Business Licence for $100, in addition to the regular Castlegar fee. It is not available for taxis, mobile food vendors or similar excluded businesses. Bylaw 1246 and the City page do not name the participating communities, so ask Development Services.\n- Operating without a licence brings a municipal ticket of $200, or $100 if paid within 30 days. Carrying on business from more than one location, or giving false information on the application, is $200 ($100 within 30 days). Business while a licence is suspended is $400 ($200 within 30 days). On conviction in court the fine is $100 to $2,000.","sources":[{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/","title":"Apply for a Business Licence, City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf","title":"Business Licence Guide (PDF), City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1246-Consolidated-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1246 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1179.Municipal-Ticketing-2.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/business-licence.json"}}