Creston business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Creston, and how do I get one?
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.
Key facts
| Who needs one | 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.Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 2 definition of Business; Part 5 s. 1; Business Licences, Business Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo 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; 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. |
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| Fee | 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026), Schedule 4A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHome 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 |
| How to apply | 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.Business Licences, Business Licences page; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 5 s. 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingYou 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. No licence shall be issued to a person unless the zoning of the location of the business permits such business. |
| Renewal | 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).Business Licences, Business Licences page; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026), Schedule 4A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBusiness licences are valid from January 1 to December 31 each year. The annual renewal deadline is January 31. A $20.00 discount will be applied to all Business Licence RENEWALS where payment is |
| Inter-community licence | 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.Business Licences, Business Licences page; Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1890, 2019, Part 5 s. 5.1, 5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Town of Creston participates in the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business License Program (ICBL) Village of Silverton The Fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $100.00 is separate and additional to any |
| Fine | 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760, Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793 s. 5.1; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 8 s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording1793 5.1 No Business Licence. $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 to a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars and not less than Two Thousand Five Hundred ($2,500.00) Dollars |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as “Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017”. |
How it works
Any person starting a business, or expanding or relocating an existing one, in the Town needs a licence under the Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793. 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.
Annual base fees (Fees and Charges Bylaw): 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.
Steps
- Talk first with zoning, building and health staff, then the Fire Department. No licence is issued unless zoning permits the business.
- Apply at Town Hall, or fill in the application form and email it in. Business Licences: 250-428-2214 ext. 410.
- Open the premises for inspection. Some businesses (restaurants, tattoo parlours, daycares) need Interior Health approval before the application is processed.
- Pay the fee. Renewal notices are sent beforehand; the deadline is January 31.
Good to know
- 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.
- Pay at Town Hall or by mail: credit card, debit, cash, cheque or email transfer.
- Mobile businesses can use the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business Licence (Bylaw No. 1890), 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.
- 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.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Salmo · Kimberley · Cranbrook · Fruitvale · Nelson · Castlegar
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licences, Town of Creston (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025) (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026) (read 2026-11-06)
- Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1890, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1760 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Contact Directory, Town of Creston (read 2026-11-06)
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.