{"title":"Creston business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Creston, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/creston","name":"Creston","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":"Town of Creston","url":"https://www.creston.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. In Creston anyone starting, expanding or relocating a business needs a Town business licence. Annual fees start at $50 (non-profit) and $70 (home occupation). Apply at Town Hall or email the form; zoning must permit the business.","aliases":["business licence creston","creston business license","start a business creston","inter-community business licence creston"],"cost":"Annual base fee: home occupation $70; non-profit $50; commercial $120 to $190; industrial $470 to $570; short-term rental $520.","how_long":"Licences run January 1 to December 31. The Town states no processing time; all departments must approve.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"238 - 10th Ave. N., Creston, BC","note":"Pay in person Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licences (Town Hall)","value":"250-428-2214 ext. 410"},{"type":"email","label":"Town Hall","value":"info@creston.ca"},{"type":"online","label":"Business Licences page","value":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licences, Town of Creston","url":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)","url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf"},{"title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1890, 2019 (PDF)","url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2023-07/Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence-1890.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Creston home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Creston short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Creston zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Creston bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/salmo","name":"Salmo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kimberley","name":"Kimberley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cranbrook","name":"Cranbrook","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fruitvale","name":"Fruitvale","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nelson","name":"Nelson","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/castlegar","name":"Castlegar","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/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":"Any person starting a business, or expanding or relocating an existing one, in Town, including home occupations and short-term rentals. Renting out dwelling units counts as a business at four or more units on the owner's principal-residence property, or two or more units elsewhere.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)","section":"Part 2 definition of Business; Part 5 s. 1","quotes":["No person shall carry on any business within the municipality unless they are the holder of either:","four or more dwelling units or manufactured home pads are located on the same property as the owner’s principal residence;","two or more dwelling units or manufactured home pads are located on any other property;"]},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Creston","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["Any person wishing to start a business, or to expand or relocate an existing business within the Town of Creston must obtain a business licence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Annual base fee by class: home occupation $70; non-location-based $70; non-profit $50; commercial small $120, mid-size $160, large $190; industrial $470 to $570; short-term rental $520. Some businesses add Schedule 4B fees.","short":"By class: home occupation $70; small commercial $120","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026)","section":"Schedule 4A","quotes":["Home Occupation $70.00","Non-location based businesses $70.00","Non-profit $50.00","Commercial - small $120.00","Commercial - mid size $160.00","Commercial - large $190.00","Industrial - small $470.00","Industrial - large $570.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Apply at Town Hall, or fill in the application form and email it in. Talk first with zoning, building and health staff, then the Fire Department; the licence is not granted until all departments approve. No licence is issued unless zoning permits the business.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Creston","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["You can apply for your business licence at Town Hall.","The application form is available at Town Hall to be filled out in person or online where it can be emailed in.","Generally, a licence will not be granted until approval has been given by all departments involved","The next step will be to see the Fire Department to ensure that intended operations can be carried out at the proposed address."]},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)","section":"Part 5 s. 11","quotes":["No licence shall be issued to a person unless the zoning of the location of the business permits such business."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences run January 1 to December 31. A renewal notice is sent beforehand; the renewal deadline is January 31 (a $20 discount applies if paid by then).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Creston","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["Business licences are valid from January 1 to December 31 each year.","The annual renewal deadline is January 31."]},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026)","section":"Schedule 4A","quotes":["A $20.00 discount will be applied to all Business Licence RENEWALS where payment is"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes, for mobile businesses: the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business Licence covers Creston, Castlegar, Grand Forks, Nelson, Kaslo, New Denver, Rossland, Salmo, Slocan and Silverton. Fee $100, separate from and additional to any business licence fee required.","short":"Yes, $100 (mobile businesses)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Creston","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["The Town of Creston participates in the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business License Program (ICBL)","Village of Silverton"]},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2023-07/Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence-1890.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1890, 2019 (PDF)","section":"Part 5 s. 5.1, 5.2","quotes":["The Fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $100.00","is separate and additional to any"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"No business licence: $100 bylaw notice ($50 if paid early, $125 late). A court conviction can bring $2,500 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.","short":"Notice $100 ($50 if paid early)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793 s. 5.1","quotes":["1793 5.1 No Business Licence. $100.00 $50.00 $125.00"]},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)","section":"Part 8 s. 1","quotes":["to a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars and not less than Two Thousand Five Hundred ($2,500.00) Dollars"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)","section":"Part 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as “Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017”."]}],"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\nAny person starting a business, or expanding or relocating an existing one, in the Town needs a licence under the [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf). This includes home occupations and short-term rentals. Renting out dwelling units counts as a business at four or more units on the owner's principal-residence property, or two or more units elsewhere. Provincial government activities are excluded. A valid Inter-Community Business Licence from another participating government also lets a business operate.\n\nAnnual base fees ([Fees and Charges Bylaw](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf)): home occupation $70; non-location-based $70; non-profit $50; commercial small $120, mid-size $160, large $190; industrial $470 to $570; short-term rental $520. Some businesses add Schedule 4B fees, such as liquor licence $75, cannabis retail $75, mobile services $50 and car wash $50 a bay. Commercial size is by floor area (small is 464 sq. m. or less; large is over 2,000 sq. m.). Industrial size is by lot size.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Talk first with zoning, building and health staff, then the Fire Department. No licence is issued unless zoning permits the business.\n2. Apply at Town Hall, or fill in the application form and email it in. Business Licences: 250-428-2214 ext. 410.\n3. Open the premises for inspection. Some businesses (restaurants, tattoo parlours, daycares) need Interior Health approval before the application is processed.\n4. Pay the fee. Renewal notices are sent beforehand; the deadline is January 31.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Licences run January 1 to December 31. A $20 discount applies to renewals paid by January 31 and to new licences paid within 30 days of approval.\n- Pay at Town Hall or by mail: credit card, debit, cash, cheque or email transfer.\n- Mobile businesses can use the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business Licence ([Bylaw No. 1890](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2023-07/Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence-1890.pdf)), valid in Creston, Castlegar, Grand Forks, Nelson, Kaslo, New Denver, Rossland, Salmo, Slocan and Silverton. The fee is $100, in addition to any licence fee required.\n- Operating without a licence is a $100 bylaw notice ($50 if paid early, $125 late). A court conviction can bring $2,500 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Creston","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2023-07/Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence-1890.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1890, 2019 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/contact-directory-0","title":"Contact Directory, Town of Creston","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/creston/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/business-licence.json"}}