---
title: "Chetwynd business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Chetwynd, and how do I get one?"
place: Chetwynd, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/chetwynd
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Chetwynd
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/business-licence.json"
---

# Chetwynd business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a business licence in Chetwynd, and how do I get one?

**Short answer:** Yes, anyone carrying on a business in Chetwynd needs a District business licence, including home based businesses. Most categories cost $100 a year. Complete the Schedule B application; licences run January 1 to December 31.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Chetwynd, https://www.gochetwynd.com)  
**Cost:** Most categories are $100 a year; half price if a new business starts after June 30. See fees below.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- Phone: District of Chetwynd (Bylaw Enforcement Officer), 250-401-4100
- Email: District of Chetwynd, d-chet@gochetwynd.com
- In person: Municipal Office, 5400 Hospital Road, Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed statutory holidays).)

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone carrying on a business in the District, including home based businesses and peddlers. Soliciting sales or agreeing to provide a service also needs a licence. A business operating from more than one premises needs a separate licence for each.
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, s. 4.1](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall carry on a business, including home based businesses and" … "peddlers, within the municipality without having first obtained a valid" … "The soliciting of sales of any article, commodity or thing, or any" … "agreement for the provision of any service shall require a business licence"
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, s. 4.10.1](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the business carried on, in or from each premises shall be" … "deemed to be a separate business and shall require a separate licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** Most categories are $100 a year (contractors, food, retail, home based, services, unclassified). Professional offices (accountants, lawyers, dentists, physicians) $144. Banks and finance companies $440; local producers and crafts $54; non-profits $10; pawnbrokers $1,000. Transfer $25. Rentals: $100 up to 15 rooms or pads, $11 each above, to $440.
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, Schedule A](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Category 6 Home based Business $100.00" … "Bank $440.00" … "Local Producers $ 54.00" … "Non-Profit Organization $ 10.00" … "Every person requesting a transfer of business licence must pay a licence transfer fee of $25.00." … "$11.00 per unit applies with a maximum licence fee of $440.00." … "Category 12 Professional Offices Accountant $144.00" … "Category 11 Pawnbrokers $1,000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Complete the Schedule B application form, signed by the owner or authorized representative. The Bylaw Enforcement Officer grants the licence if satisfied the business complies with District bylaws, including building, zoning, health and sanitation (and fire services, on inspection). BizPaL, an online permit information service, is linked from the District's site.
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, s. 4.5.1 and 3.2.2](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every person applying for a business licence shall complete the" … "application form attached as Schedule “B” to this bylaw." … "including without" … "limitation bylaws regarding building, zoning, health, sanitation and business"
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, s. 4.17.3](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "has complied with the bylaws of the municipality regulating building, fire" … "services, zoning, health and safety, sanitation and business"
  - Source: [Starting a Business, BizPaL, BizPaL page](https://www.gochetwynd.com/business/starting-a-business-bizpal/)
  - Official wording: "BizPaL is an online service that simplifies the business permit, licence and other compliance regulation process"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31 each year and must be renewed annually by paying the fee before the licensing period begins. A business that starts after June 30 pays half the annual fee. Changed application details must be given to the District before renewal.
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, s. 4.3 and 4.4](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "licences shall be granted for a" … "one-year period, to commence on the first day of January and terminate on" … "the 31st day of December in each and every year." … "Licence holders must renew their business licence annually by submitting" … "the required business licence fee prior to the beginning of each licensing period."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. The District took part in the 2017 Northeast BC inter-community (mobile) business licence. The add-on cost $130 then and covers Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Hudson's Hope, Tumbler Ridge and Pouce Coupe (Taylor to be added later).
  - Source: [Inter-community business licence news release, 2017, Province news release hosted by the District, March 30, 2017](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/News-Release.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Mobile Business Licence add-on in the northeast costs $130." … "can be used in City" … "of Dawson Creek, City of Fort St. John, District of Chetwynd," … "Tumbler Ridge and Pouce Coupe."
  - Source: [Bylaws, Bylaw library](https://www.gochetwynd.com/municipal-office/bylaws/)
  - Official wording: "Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1051, 2017"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Carrying on business without a licence: $50 ticket, increasing by the original amount for each continuing offence. Failure to renew a licence: $50, same increase. On conviction the bylaw allows up to $10,000 plus costs.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 935, 2011, Appendix 2](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Municipal-Ticket-Information-Bylaw-No.-935-2011.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Carry on business without obtaining license 4.1.1 $ 50.00*" … "Failure to renew license 4.4.1 $ 50.00*" … "*Increase by original amount for each continuing offence"
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, s. 6.1](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "be liable to a penalty not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000)" … "plus the costs of prosecution."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009 (consolidated; amended by Bylaws 985, 2013 and 1084, 2018). Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1051, 2017.
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated, Title page](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENSING AND REGULATION" … "BYLAW NO. 906, 2009" … "Amending Bylaw No.: Date Adopted: 985, 2013 July 15, 2013 1084, 2018 November 19, 2018"
  - Source: [Bylaws, Bylaw library](https://www.gochetwynd.com/municipal-office/bylaws/)
  - Official wording: "Business Licensing & Regulation, Bylaw No. 906, 2009"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The District of Chetwynd's [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf) requires a licence for anyone carrying on a business in the District, including home based businesses and peddlers. Soliciting sales or agreeing to provide a service also needs one. A business operating from more than one premises needs a separate licence for each. Licences run January 1 to December 31 and are renewed annually by paying the fee before the licensing period begins.

## Steps

1. Complete the Schedule B application form, signed by the owner or an authorized representative.
2. The Bylaw Enforcement Officer grants the licence if the business complies with District bylaws, including building, zoning, health and sanitation, and fire services on inspection.
3. Pay the fee. The bylaw does not say where to hand in the form; phone 250-401-4100. BizPaL, an online permit information service, is linked from the District's site.

## Good to know

- Fees (Schedule A): most categories are $100 a year (contractors, food, retail, home based, services, unclassified). Professional offices (accountants, lawyers, dentists, physicians) $144; banks and finance companies $440; local producers and crafts $54; non-profits $10; pawnbrokers $1,000. Transfer $25. Rentals: $100 up to 15 rooms or pads, $11 each above, to $440.
- A business that starts after June 30 pays 50% of the annual fee. Fees are non-refundable unless the application is withdrawn or refused.
- Tickets: carrying on business without a licence $50, and failing to renew $50, each increasing by the original amount for each continuing offence; false information on the application $100; failure to display the licence $50. Conviction can bring up to $10,000 plus costs.
- The District took part in a 2017 Northeast BC inter-community (mobile) business licence at $130 then, covering Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Hudson's Hope, Tumbler Ridge and Pouce Coupe. The bylaw is a scanned PDF we could not read, so confirm the current fee and towns with the District.
- Changed application details must be given to the District before renewal.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009 (PDF)](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf)
- [Starting a Business, BizPaL, District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/business/starting-a-business-bizpal/)

## Related questions

- [Chetwynd home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/home-based-business.md)
- [Chetwynd short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/short-term-rental.md)
- [Chetwynd secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/secondary-suite.md)
- [Chetwynd zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/business-licence.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/business-licence.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/business-licence.md)
- [Taylor](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/business-licence.md)
- [Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/business-licence.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 906, 2009, consolidated (PDF), District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/BL906-Business-Licence-Bylaw-1.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Starting a Business, BizPaL, District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/business/starting-a-business-bizpal/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaws, District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/municipal-office/bylaws/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 935, 2011 (PDF), District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Municipal-Ticket-Information-Bylaw-No.-935-2011.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Inter-community business licence news release, 2017 (PDF), District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/News-Release.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 District of Chetwynd. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/business-licence/_