Clearwater business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Clearwater, and how do I get one?
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.
Key facts
| Who needs one | 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.Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019), ss. 3.1, 2.3; Business Licenses, District page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA 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 Any person owning or operating a business within the District of Clearwater must obtain an annual Business Licence |
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| Fee | 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.Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording1. 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; |
| How to apply | 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.Business Licenses, District page; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019), s. 4.2; Business Licence Application, Application form, office-use section · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingTo 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. Licence on being satisfied that the Applicant can operate the business in a safe Building Inspector Approval Is Proposed Business Use Permitted Fire Inspection Required |
| Renewal | 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.Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019), ss. 3.9, 5.1 to 5.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBusiness 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. |
| Inter-community licence | 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.Business Licenses, District page, Inter-Community Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingPartnering 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. |
| Fine | 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.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF, consolidated to September 2024), Schedule 4; s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBusiness 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 |
| Bylaw | District of Clearwater Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDistrict of Clearwater Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 |
How it works
Under the Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 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.
Fees (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.
A licence runs January 1 to December 31. It is tied to the business premises and is not transferable.
Steps
- Complete the Business Licence Application.
- Return it with the fee in person to 209 Dutch Lake Road, or by email to admin@docbc.ca.
- 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.
- To renew, pay by January 31. Renewal invoices are sent before the end of December. After January 31 a $25 late fee is added.
Good to know
- 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.
- 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.
- Bylaw 124 is consolidated only to 2019, so fees may have changed.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Barriere · Sun Peaks · Chase · 100 Mile House · Kamloops · Sicamous
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licenses, District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
- Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019) (read 2026-11-08)
- Business Licence Application (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF, consolidated to September 2024) (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. How answers are checked.