---
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?"
place: Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/castlegar
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Castlegar
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/business-licence.json"
---

# 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?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Castlegar, https://www.castlegar.ca)  
**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:**
- In person: Development Services, City Hall, 460 Columbia Avenue, Castlegar, BC V1N 1G7
- Email: Development Services, devserv@castlegar.ca
- Phone: Development Services, 250-365-8964

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), s. 3.1, 3.2](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business Licence Guide](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This includes businesses that are located"
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), s. 3.6](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** 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%.
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), Schedule A](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "$100 CONTRACTORS" … "$100 HOME OCCUPATIONS" … "$150 COMMERCIAL RETAIL (UNDER 6,000 SQUARE FEET)" … "$250 MOBILE FOOD OR RETAIL VENDORS (SEASONAL OR ANNUAL)"
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), s. 6.5](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Licence applications received on or after July 1st, will be subject to a fifty (50) percent"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licence Guide, How do I Submit an Application?](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "devserv@castlegar.ca. Business licence fees can be paid in person at City Hall or virtually through the"
  - Source: [Business Licence Guide, Step 3 and Step 4](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Apply for a Business Licence, Business Licence Fire Inspections](https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/)
  - Official wording: "The Castlegar Fire Department is dedicated to improving the overall safety of businesses within our"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), s. 5.1, 6.6](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Apply for a Business Licence, Business Licence Renewal](https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/)
  - Official wording: "City of Castlegar Business Licence renewal invoices are mailed out at the end of December each year."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** 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.
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1246 (consolidated, PDF), s. 4](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1246-Consolidated-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1246 (consolidated, PDF), s. 2 and Schedule A](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1246-Consolidated-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Apply for a Business Licence](https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/)
  - Official wording: "The city is a member of the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business Licensing program"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket for operating without a business licence: $200, or $100 if paid within 30 days. On conviction in court: $100 to $2,000.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule B-3, s. 3.1](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1179.Municipal-Ticketing-2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No business licence $200 $100"
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), s. 15.2](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "conviction thereof, be liable to a penalty of not less than $100.00 (one hundred"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1337, 2020
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), s. 1.1](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as ‘Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1337, 2020’."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [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.

Not 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.

## Steps

1. Check your zoning (see zoning-lookup) and fill in the Business Licence Application.
2. 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.
3. Staff review it against the Zoning, Sign and Building bylaws. A fire inspection or other inspection may be required before the licence is issued.
4. 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.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Apply for a Business Licence (City page)](https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/)
- [Business Licence Guide (PDF)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf)
- [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated, PDF)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1246 (PDF)](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1246-Consolidated-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Castlegar home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/home-based-business.md)
- [Castlegar short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/short-term-rental.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/business-licence.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/business-licence.md)
- [Warfield](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/warfield/business-licence.md)
- [Rossland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/rossland/business-licence.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/business-licence.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Apply for a Business Licence, City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/planning-building-business/business-resources/apply-for-a-business-licence/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licencing Bylaw 1337 (consolidated March 2024, PDF), City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Consolidated-Bylaw1337-Business-Licencing.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Guide (PDF), City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Business-Licence-Guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1246 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bylaw-1246-Consolidated-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticketing Bylaw 1179 (consolidated, PDF), City of Castlegar](https://castlegar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Consolidated.Branded.Bylaw_.1179.Municipal-Ticketing-2.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Castlegar. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/business-licence/_