{"title":"Clearwater business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Clearwater, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/clearwater","name":"Clearwater","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":"District of Clearwater","url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com"},"short_answer":"Yes, anyone carrying on a business in the District of Clearwater needs a licence. Most businesses pay $100 a year. Apply in person at 209 Dutch Lake Road or by email to admin@docbc.ca. A licence runs January 1 to December 31.","aliases":["business licence clearwater","business license clearwater","inter-community business licence clearwater","how to get a business licence clearwater"],"cost":"Most businesses (service category), home based, professional office, non-resident and bed and breakfast: $100 a year. Financial institution $200, liquor outlet $250, second hand dealer $200, cannabis retail or production $1,000. Halved after July 31.","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"District of Clearwater office","value":"209 Dutch Lake Road, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m."},{"type":"email","label":"District of Clearwater office","value":"admin@docbc.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"District of Clearwater office","value":"250-674-2257"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licence Application (PDF)","url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Business-Licence-Application-2025.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licenses, District of Clearwater","url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/business-services/business-licenses/"},{"title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (consolidated)","url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/56496/"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Clearwater home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Clearwater short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Clearwater zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/barriere","name":"Barriere","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/barriere/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sun-peaks","name":"Sun Peaks","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sun-peaks/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chase","name":"Chase","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chase/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/100-mile-house","name":"100 Mile House","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kamloops","name":"Kamloops","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sicamous","name":"Sicamous","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/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":"Anyone carrying on a business in the District. Not covered: registered societies and charities without regular commercial business, occasional non-profit fund-raising, residential rentals under the Residential Tenancy Act, farm businesses, government activity, and garage sales under four days a year.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/56496/","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019)","section":"ss. 3.1, 2.3","quotes":["A person must not engage in or carry on a business within the District unless that","(c) rental of a single-family dwelling or duplex where the rental agreement is","(f) Garage or Yard Sales held less than four (4) days per year"]},{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/business-services/business-licenses/","title":"Business Licenses, District of Clearwater","section":"District page","quotes":["Any person owning or operating a business within the District of Clearwater must obtain an annual Business Licence"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Most businesses (service category) $100 a year; home based business $100; professional office $100; non-resident business $100; bed and breakfast $100; financial institution $200; liquor outlet $250; second hand dealer $200; cannabis retail or production $1,000. Halved after July 31.","short":"$100 a year (most businesses)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/56496/","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["1. SERVICE All businesses except those identified in $100.00","4. FINANCIAL Banks, Credit Unions, Trust Companies, $200.00","6. LIQUOR OUTLETS Pubs, Lounges, Cabarets, Liquor Stores, $250.00","12. CANNABIS RETAIL As defined in Section 2 (Bylaw No. 213, 2019) $1,000.00","by 50% for a person who obtains a Licence after July 31st in any year;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Complete the Business Licence Application and return it, with fees, in person to 209 Dutch Lake Road or by email to admin@docbc.ca. The Licence Inspector may issue a licence when satisfied the business can operate safely and follow District bylaws.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/business-services/business-licenses/","title":"Business Licenses, District of Clearwater","section":"District page","quotes":["To apply to a business licence, complete the Business Licence Application- return in person to 209 Dutch Lake Road or by email to Admin@docbc.ca."]},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/56496/","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019)","section":"s. 4.2","quotes":["Licence on being satisfied that the Applicant can operate the business in a safe"]},{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Business-Licence-Application-2025.pdf","title":"Business Licence Application (PDF)","section":"Application form, office-use section","quotes":["Building Inspector Approval","Is Proposed Business Use Permitted","Fire Inspection Required"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"A licence runs January 1 to December 31. Renewal invoices are sent before the end of December; renew with the fee by January 31. After January 31 a late fee of $25 is added.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/56496/","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019)","section":"ss. 3.9, 5.1 to 5.3","quotes":["Business Licences shall be deemed effective from January 1st to December 31st","submit to the District a renewal form/invoice together with the annual licence fee","a late payment fee of $25.00."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. The Inter-Community Business Licence (ICBL) for mobile businesses working in two or more partner communities costs $75 (Bylaw 267, from January 1, 2023). Partners may include Barriere, Chase, Kamloops, Lillooet, Logan Lake, Merritt and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. A primary licence in a partner community is required first.","short":"Yes, $75 (mobile businesses)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/business-services/business-licenses/","title":"Business Licenses, District of Clearwater","section":"District page, Inter-Community Business Licence","quotes":["Partnering communities may include Barriere, Chase, Kamloops, Lillooet, Logan Lake, Merritt, and","including cost ($75.00) and how to apply.","An ICBL is a secondary business licence which means to apply for an ICBL you must first have a primary business licence in one of our partner communities."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket $100 ($75 if paid within 30 days) for carrying on a business without a licence. The same amounts apply to failing to renew a licence.","short":"Ticket $100 ($75 if paid in 30 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/28332/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF, consolidated to September 2024)","section":"Schedule 4; s. 3.1","quotes":["Business carried on without Licence 3.1 100 75","Failure to renew Licence 3.2 100 75","the discounted fines pursuant to section 265(2) of the Community Charter for the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Clearwater Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/56496/","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019)","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["District of Clearwater Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124](https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/56496/), anyone carrying on a business in the District must hold a licence. Not covered: registered societies and charities without regular commercial business, occasional non-profit fund-raising, residential rentals under the Residential Tenancy Act, farm businesses, government activity, and garage sales under four days a year.\n\nFees (Schedule A) are $100 a year for most businesses, home based businesses, professional offices, non-resident businesses and bed and breakfasts. A financial institution is $200, a liquor outlet $250, a second hand dealer $200, and cannabis retail or production $1,000. Fees are halved for a licence obtained after July 31. Lodging, special events and some other categories have other fees; ask the District.\n\nA licence runs January 1 to December 31. It is tied to the business premises and is not transferable.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Complete the Business Licence Application.\n2. Return it with the fee in person to 209 Dutch Lake Road, or by email to admin@docbc.ca.\n3. The Licence Inspector may issue the licence once satisfied the business can operate safely and follow District bylaws. The form's office-use box checks zoning, whether a building permit is needed and whether a fire inspection is needed.\n4. To renew, pay by January 31. Renewal invoices are sent before the end of December. After January 31 a $25 late fee is added.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Inter-Community Business Licence (ICBL):** for mobile businesses working in two or more partner communities, $75 (Bylaw 267, from January 1, 2023). Partners may include Barriere, Chase, Kamloops, Lillooet, Logan Lake, Merritt and Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc. You need a primary licence in a partner community first.\n- **Fine:** operating without a licence, or failing to renew, is a municipal ticket of $100 ($75 if paid within 30 days). Bylaw 124 also allows penalties under the Offence Act, with each day a separate offence.\n- Bylaw 124 is consolidated only to 2019, so fees may have changed.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/business-services/business-licenses/","title":"Business Licenses, District of Clearwater","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/56496/","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Business-Licence-Application-2025.pdf","title":"Business Licence Application (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/28332/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF, consolidated to September 2024)","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/clearwater/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/business-licence.json"}}