Fort St. John business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply

Do I need a business licence in Fort St. John, and how do I get one?

Fort St. John, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes. Every business operating in the City of Fort St. John needs a valid City business licence, with a separate licence for each premises. Apply online, by email to businesslicences@fortstjohn.ca, in person at Development Services, or through BCeID or BizPal. A regular licence is $150.

Key facts

Who needs one	All businesses operating within the City need a valid business licence (or an Inter-Community Business Licence). Separate licence for each premises. Registered non-profits pay nothing. A stall holder in a licensed market does not need one, except when selling tobacco, cannabis or liquor.Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021, s. 5.1, 5.2, 5.9; Business Licences, Who Needs a Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall carry on a business for which a licence is required by this Bylaw within Every person who carries on a business from more than one premises in the City shall A business licence is not required of any person who rents a stall, All businesses operating within the City of Fort St. John are required to have a valid business licence or a valid inter-community business licence.
Fee	Regular business licence $150; home occupation (business or office) $125; mobile vendor $125; secondary suite $75; temporary licence (28 days) $75; name change or reprint $25; registered non-profit no cost. Applications from April 1, July 1 and October 1 get 25%, 50% and 75% off.Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021, Schedule A, Table 1.0; Business Licence Application Process, Business License Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Regular Business Licence $150.00 Home Occupations – Business and Office $125.00 Secondary Suite $75.00 Temporary Licence (28 Days) $75.00 Registered Non-Profit NO COST April 1 25% Reduction Regular Commercial Business Licence: $150.00
How to apply	Apply with the online form, by email to businesslicences@fortstjohn.ca, in person at Development Services, or through BCeID or BizPal. The City reviews it and may send it to Planning, Building, Fire Department or Northern Health. Approval needs the application, fees, any other agency approvals, inspections, and a declaration that the use meets zoning.Business Licence Application Process, Steps 2-3; Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021, s. 6.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Completing the online form Submitting via email to businesslicences@fortstjohn.ca Submitting through BCeID Planning - Building - Fire Department - Northern Health Authority The applicant’s declaration of compliance of land use/business activities with
Renewal	Licences run January 1 to December 31 and must be renewed before December 31. An expired licence not renewed by January 31 is terminated on February 1 and a new application is needed. A licence issued after January 1 lasts to December 31 of that year.Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021, s. 5.3, 6.7, 6.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The business licence period shall be one (1) year to commence on the 1st day of January and to terminate on prior to the expiry of the business licence on December 31st of that year. renewed as required by January 31st of the renewal year, the business licence shall then be terminated on February 1st
Inter-community licence	Yes. $130, in addition to a regular City licence, for businesses that travel client to client. Bylaw 2371 (2017) lists Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Hudson's Hope, Taylor, Tumbler Ridge, Pouce Coupe and Northern Rockies; the City's web page omits Northern Rockies. Excludes taxis, mobile food vendors, door-to-door sales.Sources differ: The bylaw lists eight participating governments including Fort St. John and the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality; the City's web page lists six others and omits the Northern Rockies. Bylaw followed.Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 2371, 2017, s. 4 and definitions; Business Licences, Inter-community Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $130 and shall be paid in full at the time City of Dawson Creek Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mobile food vendors, flea markets, trade shows or other similar Businesses. Door to door sale persons/businesses. This inter-community business licence is to be purchased IN ADDITION to a regular Fort St. John business licence
Fine	Bylaw notice for operating a business without a licence: $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days; $250 if paid late). Not posting the licence: $100 ($50 early; $150 late).Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021, Schedule B, Table 3.0; Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021, s. 8.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Days) (1-14 Days) (31-60 Days (50% of Collections Penalty) 60+) Operating a Business 5.1 $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Yes without a Licence Business Licence not Collections Penalty) 60+) Operating a Business 5.1 $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Yes without a Licence Business Licence not 5.10 $100.00 $50.00 $150.00 Yes 5.1 $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Yes without a Licence Business Licence not 5.10 $100.00 $50.00 $150.00 Yes Posted Business Licence not 5.10 $100.00 $50.00 $150.00 Yes Posted Failure to provide 6.1 $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Yes shall result in liability for penalties in amounts set out in
Bylaw	Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited as “City of Fort St. John Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563,

How it works

Business Licence Bylaw 2563, 2021 requires a valid licence (or an Inter-Community Business Licence) for every business operating within the City: any commercial or industrial activity for gain or profit, other than government. Bed and breakfasts, home occupations, secondary suites and direct sales also need one. Registered non-profits pay nothing. A stall holder in a licensed market does not need one, except when selling tobacco, cannabis or liquor.

Steps

Before buying property or signing a lease, ask Development Services whether your use is permitted.
Apply with the online form, by email to businesslicences@fortstjohn.ca, in person at Development Services, or through BCeID or BizPal.
The City reviews it and may send it to Planning, Building, the Fire Department or Northern Health. Approval needs the application, fees, any other agency approvals, inspections, and a declaration that the use meets zoning.
Pay: in person (no cash), by debit, credit card (3.5% processing fee), cheque or online banking.
Renew before December 31. Applications from April 1, July 1 and October 1 get 25%, 50% and 75% off.

Good to know

Licences run January 1 to December 31. An expired licence not renewed by January 31 is terminated on February 1, and you need a new application. A licence issued after January 1 lasts to December 31 of that year.
Licences are non-transferable and fees non-refundable. Changes need 30 days' written notice. The licence must be posted in a visible location.
An inter-community licence ($130, in addition to a regular City licence) is for businesses that travel client to client. It excludes taxis, mobile food vendors and door-to-door sales. Bylaw 2371 lists Dawson Creek, Chetwynd, Hudson's Hope, Taylor, Tumbler Ridge, Pouce Coupe and the Northern Rockies; the City's web page omits the Northern Rockies, so confirm.
Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days; $250 if paid late). Not posting the licence is $100 ($50 early; $150 late).
The City's web page also says unlicensed businesses face a 10 per cent fee increase for each month. That is not in the bylaw, so ask the City.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Taylor · Dawson Creek · Pouce Coupe · Hudson's Hope · Chetwynd · Tumbler Ridge

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Business Licences, City of Fort St. John (read 2026-11-05)
Business Licence Application Process, City of Fort St. John (read 2026-11-05)
Changes to Your Business Licence, City of Fort St. John (read 2026-11-05)
Business Licence Bylaw No. 2563, 2021 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 2371, 2017 (PDF) (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. How answers are checked.