---
title: "Cranbrook business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Cranbrook, and how do I get one?"
place: Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/cranbrook
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Cranbrook
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/business-licence.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Every business operating in the City of Cranbrook, including home-based businesses and businesses based in the city that work mainly elsewhere, needs a City business licence. Fill in the City's application form and deliver, mail or email it to City Hall. Allow about two weeks. The annual licence is $150 plus taxes.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Cranbrook, https://www.cranbrook.ca)  
**Cost:** Annual licence $150 plus applicable taxes. Seasonal $75 (up to six months), temporary $75, inter-community $75, transfer or change fee $50. Fees are not refundable.  
**How long:** The City asks for about 2 weeks to process an application.  
**Where:**
- In person: City Hall (deliver the application), 40 10th Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC V1C 2M8
- By mail: Mail to City Hall, City Hall, 40 10th Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC V1C 2M8
- Email: Email the application, Naomi.Humenny@cranbrook.ca (The City page gives this address with the subject "Business License Application".)
- Phone: Business licence inquiries (Bylaw Services), 250-489-0263

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Every business operating in Cranbrook, including businesses based in the City but working mainly outside it. No one may carry on business without paying the fee and holding a municipal, seasonal, temporary or inter-community licence.
  - Source: [Licencing](https://www.cranbrook.ca/business/licensing-permits)
  - Official wording: "Businesses operating within the City of Cranbrook, including those based within the City but conducting business primarily outside of the City, are required to have a valid business licence."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3194, 1994 (PDF, consolidated), s. 5.01](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/91364)
  - Official wording: "No person shall carry on a business within the City without first:" … "Obtaining a Municipal Business Licence" … "Obtaining a seasonal or temporary business licence" … "Being the holder of a valid Inter-Community Business Licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Annual business licence $150 plus taxes. Seasonal $75 (up to 6 months); temporary $75; inter-community $75; transfer or change fee $50. Fees are not refundable. New annual licences may be pro-rated quarterly.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3194, 1994 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule B; s. 3.03.02, 3.04](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/91364)
  - Official wording: "Annual Business Licence *1* $150.00" … "Seasonal Business Licence" … "Temporary Business Licence" … "Transfer / Administration Fee" … "Licence fees are not refundable." … "may be pro-rated on a quarterly basis"
  - Source: [Licencing, Business Licence Fees](https://www.cranbrook.ca/business/licensing-permits)
  - Official wording: "Annual Business Licence $150"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Fill out the City's Business Licence Application (used for all businesses, including home-based) and deliver, mail or email it to City Hall, 40 – 10th Avenue South. The City checks zoning, building bylaw requirements and Building and Fire inspections. Allow about 2 weeks.
  - Source: [Licencing, Business Licence Applications; Processing](https://www.cranbrook.ca/business/licensing-permits)
  - Official wording: "Once completed, applications may be delivered, mailed or emailed to:" … "City Hall 40 – 10th Avenue South," … "Please allow approximately 2 weeks for processing of business licence applications." … "Most often this involves reviewing zoning (permitted land use) for the proposed location, review of building bylaw requirements, and inspections from the Building and Fire departments"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3194, 1994 (PDF, consolidated), s. 3.12.02](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/91364)
  - Official wording: "All applicants for a business licence must provide proof of compliance with" … "the City's building bylaw, zoning bylaw"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal is paid with the account number on your annual renewal statement, online through BMO, TD Canada Trust, National Bank, HSBC, RBC or Scotiabank. The City also takes cash, credit card and debit; card and online payments carry a 2.4% fee.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3194, 1994 (PDF, consolidated), s. 3.02](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/91364)
  - Official wording: "to commence on the first day of January and to terminate on the" … "31st day of December in each and every year."
  - Source: [Frequently asked questions, Making payments](https://www.cranbrook.ca/faqs)
  - Official wording: "Payment of business licenses online is available only through BMO, TD Canada Trust, National Bank of Canada, HSBC, RBC, and Scotiabank." … "found on your annual renewal statement" … "Payments can be made by cash, credit card, debit or online. Credit card and online payments are subject to a 2.4% convenience fee."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes, with Kimberley. A Cranbrook business that serves customers in Kimberley (mobile trades, cleaners, etc.) holds a Cranbrook business licence plus an Inter-Community Business Licence for $75, and the reverse for Kimberley businesses.
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 3877, 2016, s. 2.1, 4.1](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/14703)
  - Official wording: "Participating Municipality means the following local governments that" … "The Corporation of the City of Kimberley" … "The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $75.00"
  - Source: [Licencing, Inter Community Business Licences (ICBL)](https://www.cranbrook.ca/business/licensing-permits)
  - Official wording: "The cost for an ICBL is $75.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** $100 municipal ticket for no business licence (Municipal Ticketing Information System Bylaw No. 3856, Schedule B3, s. 5.01). The Business Licence Bylaw allows a fine up to $1,000 if enforced by ticket.
  - Source: [https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106172/, Schedule B3](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106172/)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence 5.01 100.00"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3194, 1994 (PDF, consolidated), s. 6.02(c)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/91364)
  - Official wording: "to pay a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) if the bylaw is enforced by"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Cranbrook Business Licence Bylaw No. 3194, 1994
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3194, 1994 (PDF, consolidated), s. 1.01](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/91364)
  - Official wording: "This bylaw may be cited as the "City of Cranbrook Business Licence Bylaw No. 3194,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Business Licence Bylaw](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/91364), no one may carry on business in the City of Cranbrook without paying the fee and holding a municipal, seasonal, temporary or inter-community licence. Where more than one separate business category operates in the same premises, each needs its own licence. The City reviews zoning, building bylaw requirements and Building and Fire inspections before approving.

## Steps

1. Confirm zoning, get any building permits for renovations, and ask about fire protection requirements before you apply.
2. Get approvals from other agencies if your business needs them, such as Interior Health (food service, tattooing, daycares) or Liquor Control and Licensing. The City requires confirmation, but you deal with those agencies yourself.
3. Download and complete the Business Licence Application. The same form is used for all businesses, including home-based, and for changes.
4. Deliver, mail or email it to City Hall, 40 10th Avenue South.
5. Allow about 2 weeks for processing.

## Good to know

- Licences run January 1 to December 31. A new annual licence may be pro-rated quarterly. Fees are not refundable.
- Renewal is paid using the account number on your annual renewal statement, online through most major banks. The City FAQ says it also takes cash, credit card and debit; card and online payments carry a 2.4% fee.
- Doing business in Kimberley as a Cranbrook business takes an Inter-Community Business Licence ($75) on top of your Cranbrook licence, and the reverse for Kimberley businesses.
- Operating without a licence draws a $100 municipal ticket. The bylaw allows a fine up to $1,000 if enforced by ticket.
- Search active licences in the City's Business Licence Search.

## What you'll need

- Completed Business Licence Application (one form for all businesses, including home-based)
- Business details, the owner's contact information, and the owner's or agent's signature and date
- Confirmation of approval from other agencies where they apply (for example Interior Health for food service)

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licence Application (PDF)](https://docs.cranbrook.ca/downloads/eForms/business-licence-application.pdf)
- [Licencing page](https://www.cranbrook.ca/business/licensing-permits)
- [Business Licence Search](https://www.cranbrook.ca/businesses/)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 3194, 1994 (PDF)](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/91364)

## Related questions

- [Cranbrook home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/home-based-business.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Kimberley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/business-licence.md)
- [Fernie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fernie/business-licence.md)
- [Canal Flats](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/business-licence.md)
- [Sparwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sparwood/business-licence.md)
- [Creston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/business-licence.md)
- [Elkford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/elkford/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Licencing, City of Cranbrook](https://www.cranbrook.ca/business/licensing-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3194, 1994 (PDF, consolidated), City of Cranbrook](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/91364) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 3877, 2016 (PDF), City of Cranbrook](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/14703) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticketing Information System Bylaw No. 3856, 2016 (PDF), City of Cranbrook](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106172) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Frequently asked questions, City of Cranbrook](https://www.cranbrook.ca/faqs) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Request for Service, Bylaw Services, City of Cranbrook](https://www.cranbrook.ca/our-city/city-departments/bylaw-services/service-requests) (read 2026-11-05)
- [https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106172/](https://cranbrook.civicweb.net/document/106172/) (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 Cranbrook. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/business-licence/_