{"title":"Coldstream business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Coldstream, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","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 Coldstream","url":"https://www.coldstream.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in Coldstream, including a home-based or agricultural business, needs a District business licence for each business premises. Fees are set by business class, for example $60 for Home Crafts and $120 for a General Contractor. Apply with the District's online form.","aliases":["business licence coldstream","business license coldstream","coldstream inter-community licence","renew business licence coldstream"],"cost":"By business class (Schedule A). For example General Contractor $120, Restaurant (no liquor licence) $80, Retail over 93 m² $110, Home Crafts $60, Unclassified $85. Fees are not refundable.","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Business License Application","value":"https://www.coldstream.ca/form/business-license-application"},{"type":"online","label":"Business Licenses page","value":"https://www.coldstream.ca/businesslicense"},{"type":"phone","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"250-545-5304"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"9901 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream, BC V1B 1L6","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business License Application","url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/form/business-license-application"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990 (consolidated to March 24, 2025)","url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Coldstream home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Coldstream short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Coldstream zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Coldstream bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/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 Coldstream, including home-based and agricultural businesses. A separate licence is needed for each business premises. Exempt: businesses exempted by provincial or federal law, and non-profits registered under the Society Act.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/businesslicense","title":"Business Licenses, District of Coldstream","section":"Business Licenses page","quotes":["If you are operating a business in Coldstream, even a home based or agricultural business, you need to apply for a business license with the District.","If there is more than one business premise, a separate business license is required for each."]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, consolidated to March 24, 2025, District of Coldstream","section":"s. 2.0","quotes":["No person shall carry on a business within the municipality without holding a valid and subsisting licence for the business so carried on."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Fees are by business class in Schedule A, for example General Contractor $120, Restaurant (no liquor licence) $80, Retail over 93 m² $110, Home Crafts $60, Unclassified $85. Fees may be reduced by 50% (rounded up to the next $5) for licences taken out after August 1. Fees are not refundable.","short":"By class: $60 to $120 (retail over 93 m² $110)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, consolidated to March 24, 2025, District of Coldstream","section":"Sched. A; s. 2.1","quotes":["General","Restaurant (no liquor licence)","Over 93 m2","Home Crafts","Unclassified","may be reduced by 50% as of August 1st","No licence fee paid hereunder shall be refundable.","The annual licence fees prescribed in this bylaw may be reduced by 50% as of August 1st,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Submit the Business License Application form to the District (online form on the website). The Licence Inspector grants a licence if the applicant meets building, zoning, health, sanitation and business bylaws. Bed & breakfast operators must request an inspection with the application.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/businesslicense","title":"Business Licenses, District of Coldstream","section":"Business Licenses page","quotes":["Note: A Coldstream Business License Application form must be submitted to the District."]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, consolidated to March 24, 2025, District of Coldstream","section":"ss. 2.9, 2.10","quotes":["The Licence Inspector may grant a licence where he is satisfied that the applicant therefore has complied with the requirements of the bylaws of the municipality regulating building, zoning, health, sanitation and business."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences run January to December; payment is due by February 15 each year.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/businesslicense","title":"Business Licenses, District of Coldstream","section":"Business Licenses page","quotes":["Business licenses run from January to December with payment due by February 15th each year."]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, consolidated to March 24, 2025, District of Coldstream","section":"s. 2.1(a)","quotes":["to commence on the first day of January and to terminate on the 31st day of December in each and every"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. For $150 on top of the basic licence, a mobile service business with no storefront can work in all 19 participating communities, including Coldstream and Vernon. The business must hold a basic licence where it is located.","short":"Yes, $150 (mobile service businesses)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/businesslicense","title":"Business Licenses, District of Coldstream","section":"Business Licenses page","quotes":["Business owners must have a basic licence in the municipality in which they are located, and request the inter-community add-on for an additional $150.","Nineteen municipalities in the region have entered into an agreement with one another"]},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/sites/default/files/2022-11/FAQ%20Business%20Licences.pdf","title":"Business Licences FAQ (PDF), District of Coldstream","section":"FAQ","quotes":["Eligibility is limited to any business that performs a service in more than one of the participating municipalities, without an associated storefront"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice for no business licence: $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days; $150 if paid after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $100. Failing to display the licence: bylaw notice $100, municipal ticket $150. On conviction in court: $100 to $2,000.","short":"Notice $100 ($50 if paid in 14 days); ticket $100","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/11456/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, District of Coldstream","section":"Sched. A, App. 2","quotes":["No business licence $100 $50 $150 Yes","Failure to display business"]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/2314/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1598, District of Coldstream","section":"Schedule 3","quotes":["1. No business licence 2.0 $100.00","3. Fail to display business licence 2.12 $150.00"]},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, consolidated to March 24, 2025, District of Coldstream","section":"s. 4.0","quotes":["liable on conviction to a fine not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) or more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) plus"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990 (consolidated to March 24, 2025)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, consolidated to March 24, 2025, District of Coldstream","section":"title page","quotes":["Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990","up to March 24, 2025"]}],"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\nThe [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/) requires a licence for anyone carrying on a business in Coldstream, including home-based and agricultural businesses. A separate licence is needed for each business premises. Exempt: businesses exempted by provincial or federal law, and non-profits registered under the Society Act.\n\nFees are by business class in Schedule A. Fees may be reduced by 50% (rounded up to the next $5) for licences taken out after August 1. Licences run January to December, and payment is due by February 15 each year.\n\nThe Licence Inspector grants a licence if the applicant meets building, zoning, health, sanitation and business bylaws. Bed & breakfast operators must request an inspection with the application.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone allows the business (see zoning-lookup).\n2. Submit the Business License Application form on the District website.\n3. Pay the fee for your business class.\n4. Renew each year by February 15.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A mobile service business with no storefront can add an inter-community licence for $150 on top of the basic licence, to work in all 19 participating communities, including Coldstream and Vernon. It needs a basic licence where the business is located. It is not available to businesses selling from one location, vehicles for hire, escort agencies or body-rub services.\n- Fines: no licence is a bylaw notice of $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days; $150 if paid after 28 days), or a municipal ticket of $100. Failing to display the licence is a bylaw notice of $100 or a municipal ticket of $150. On conviction in court the fine is $100 to $2,000.\n- Questions: use the District's contact form or call Municipal Hall.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/businesslicense","title":"Business Licenses, District of Coldstream","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, consolidated to March 24, 2025, District of Coldstream","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.coldstream.ca/sites/default/files/2022-11/FAQ%20Business%20Licences.pdf","title":"Business Licences FAQ (PDF), District of Coldstream","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/11456/","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, District of Coldstream","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/2314/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 1598, District of Coldstream","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/coldstream/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/business-licence.json"}}