{"title":"Houston business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Houston, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/houston","name":"Houston","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 Houston","url":"https://houston.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the District of Houston needs a business licence, including home-based, mobile and rental-accommodation businesses. Apply online through the PSD Citywide portal. The general licence is $125 a year (2026 to 2028).","aliases":["business licence houston bc","business license houston","apply business licence houston","renew business licence houston"],"cost":"Per year (2026 to 2028): general $125; restaurant or retail $250; personal services $180; automotive $325; industrial $400; cannabis or liquor $600; artisan $60; mobile vendor or contractor $250 (or $30 a month); rental accommodation $20 per unit.","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Community Development Department","value":"250-845-2238"},{"type":"email","label":"Business licence email","value":"doh@houston.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Office","value":"3367 12th Street, Houston, BC V0J 1Z0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (PDF), District of Houston","url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144934/"},{"title":"Bylaw No. 1221, 2025 (PDF), Business Licence Fees, Schedule A-3","url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145046/"},{"title":"Business Licensing User Guide (PDF), District of Houston","url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/146200/"},{"title":"Licences and Permits, District of Houston","url":"https://houston.ca/community/planning-and-development/licences-and-permits/"},{"title":"Bylaw No. 1230, 2026 (PDF), Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220 bylaw notice amounts","url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144929/"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Houston home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Houston short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Houston zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Houston bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/telkwa","name":"Telkwa","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/smithers","name":"Smithers","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/granisle","name":"Granisle","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/granisle/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-hazelton","name":"New Hazelton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/terrace","name":"Terrace","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fraser-lake","name":"Fraser Lake","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/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 the District, including home-based, mobile and rental-accommodation businesses; one licence per location and per trade name or type. Exempt: governments, garage sales, registered non-profits, buskers, and vendors at a farmers' or flea market.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144934/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (PDF), District of Houston","section":"ss. 3.1 to 3.3","quotes":["A person must not carry on any business within the municipality without a valid licence issued by the business licence inspector.","a separate business licence for each: (1) location in the District from which the business is carried on; and","buskers or street entertainers; and","a person who sells or advertises goods, products or services as part of a Farmers' Market or a flea market."]},{"url":"https://houston.ca/community/planning-and-development/licences-and-permits/","title":"Licences and Permits, District of Houston","section":"\"Business Licence\"","quotes":["regardless of your business’s “home” location, you are required to obtain a business licence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Per year (2026 to 2028): general $125; restaurant or retail $250; personal services $180; automotive $325; industrial $400; cannabis or liquor $600; artisan $60; mobile vendor or contractor $250 (or $30 a month); rental accommodation $20 per unit.","short":"By type: general $125; restaurant or retail $250","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145046/","title":"Bylaw No. 1221, 2025 (PDF), Business Licence Fees, Schedule A-3","section":"Schedule A-3 (Business Licenses), effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028","quotes":["General License Fee Per year $125.00 $125.00 $125.00","Restaurant License Fee Per year $250.00 $250.00 $250.00","Personal Services (Health Per year $180.00 $180.00 $180.00","Industrial License Fee Per year $400.00 $400.00 $400.00","Artisan License Fee Per year $60.00 $60.00 $60.00","Mobile Vendor Fee Per year or $250.00/year or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Apply online through the PSD Citywide portal. Staff review the application; a business in a building must show the zoning permits the use and give a fire inspection report if none in the last six months. Health permits, insurance or provincial approvals may also be needed.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/146200/","title":"Business Licensing User Guide (PDF), District of Houston","section":"Business Licensing User Guide, p. 2","quotes":["This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a business licence online","using the PSD Citywide portal."]},{"url":"https://houston.ca/community/planning-and-development/licences-and-permits/","title":"Licences and Permits, District of Houston","section":"\"Business Licence\"","quotes":["must demonstrate that the Zoning is permitted for the proposed use and must provide a Fire Inspection Report if one has not been completed within the last six months."]},{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144934/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (PDF), District of Houston","section":"s. 3.4","quotes":["A person may apply for a licence by submitting a completed application to the Inspector"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences are valid for the calendar year (or the period set for a temporary or seasonal business). The licensee must renew each year; renewals submitted after February 28 pay a $25 late fee. Renew through the portal with \"Request Renewal\".","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144934/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (PDF), District of Houston","section":"ss. 3.13, 3.15 and late renewal","quotes":["the year in which it is obtained unless is cancelled or suspended; or","a Licensee is responsible for renewing the","submitted after February 28 of the applicable calendar year is subject to the non-refundable late application fee"]},{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145046/","title":"Bylaw No. 1221, 2025 (PDF), Business Licence Fees, Schedule A-3","section":"Schedule A-3","quotes":["Late Renewal Fee Per occurrence $25.00 $25.00 $25.00"]},{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/146200/","title":"Business Licensing User Guide (PDF), District of Houston","section":"p. 3, note","quotes":["Open the applicable licence application you want to renew from your Licences Dashboard to “Request Renewal”."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":null,"status":"unknown","reason":"not_found","sources":[]},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice for failing to obtain a licence (s. 3.2): $200, or $150 if paid within 14 days; $250 if paid late. On conviction the bylaw allows a fine of up to $50,000.","short":"Notice $200 ($150 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144929/","title":"Bylaw No. 1230, 2026 (PDF), Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220 bylaw notice amounts","section":"Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025","quotes":["Failure to Obtain License","3.2 $ 200.00 $ 150.00 5 250.00 Yes"]},{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144934/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (PDF), District of Houston","section":"s. 5.7","quotes":["A person who commits an offence is liable for a fine not exceeding $50,000 and the costs of prosecution."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (in force January 1, 2026; replaces Bylaw No. 1085, 2016).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144934/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (PDF), District of Houston","section":"ss. 6.1, 6.4, 6.5","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited as \"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025\".","District of Houston Business Licence","Bylaw No. 1085, 2016 and all amendments thereto are repealed."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":1},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025](https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144934/) (in force January 1, 2026) requires a licence for anyone carrying on a business in the District, including home-based, mobile and rental-accommodation businesses. You need one licence per location and per trade name or type. Exempt: governments, garage sales, registered non-profits and charities (with proof of registration), buskers, vendors at a farmers' or flea market, and fundraising by educational organizations, sports teams or community associations.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Apply online through the PSD Citywide portal. See the [Licences and Permits page](https://houston.ca/community/planning-and-development/licences-and-permits/).\n2. If your business is in a building, show that the zoning permits the use, and give a fire inspection report if there has been none in the last six months.\n3. Staff review the application. The Inspector may approve, refuse, suspend, cancel or impose conditions on a licence.\n4. Health permits, insurance or provincial approvals may also be needed.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Fees per year (2026 to 2028): general $125; restaurant or retail $250; personal services $180; automotive $325; industrial $400; cannabis or liquor $600; artisan $60; mobile vendor or contractor $250 (or $30 a month); rental accommodation $20 per unit.\n- New liquor or cannabis application $900, amendment $400, transfer $10.\n- Licences are valid for the calendar year. Renew through the portal with \"Request Renewal\". Renewals submitted after February 28 pay a $25 late fee. The Inspector may send an invoice before December 31 but is not required to.\n- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $200, or $150 if paid within 14 days; $250 if paid late. Failure to renew or transfer is $150, and failure to post a licence is $100. On conviction a fine of up to $50,000 is possible.\n- We found no inter-community business licence for Houston.\n- Questions: 250-845-2238 or doh@houston.ca.","sources":[{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144934/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (PDF), District of Houston","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/145046/","title":"Bylaw No. 1221, 2025 (PDF), Business Licence Fees, Schedule A-3","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/146200/","title":"Business Licensing User Guide (PDF), District of Houston","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://houston.ca/community/planning-and-development/licences-and-permits/","title":"Licences and Permits, District of Houston","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://houston.civicweb.net/document/144929/","title":"Bylaw No. 1230, 2026 (PDF), Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220 bylaw notice amounts","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/business-licence.json"}}