Houston business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Houston, and how do I get one?
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).
Key facts
| Who needs one | 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.Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025, ss. 3.1 to 3.3; Licences and Permits, "Business Licence" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA 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. regardless of your business’s “home” location, you are required to obtain a business licence. |
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| Fee | 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.Bylaw No. 1221, 2025, Business Licence Fees, Schedule A-3, Schedule A-3 (Business Licenses), effective January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingGeneral 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 |
| How to apply | 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.Business Licensing User Guide, Business Licensing User Guide, p. 2; Licences and Permits, "Business Licence"; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025, s. 3.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a business licence online using the PSD Citywide portal. 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. A person may apply for a licence by submitting a completed application to the Inspector |
| Renewal | 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".Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025, ss. 3.13, 3.15 and late renewal; Bylaw No. 1221, 2025, Business Licence Fees, Schedule A-3; Business Licensing User Guide, p. 3, note · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingthe 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 Late Renewal Fee Per occurrence $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 Open the applicable licence application you want to renew from your Licences Dashboard to “Request Renewal”. |
| Inter-community licence | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Fine | 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.Bylaw No. 1230, 2026, Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220 bylaw notice amounts, Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025, s. 5.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFailure to Obtain License 3.2 $ 200.00 $ 150.00 5 250.00 Yes A person who commits an offence is liable for a fine not exceeding $50,000 and the costs of prosecution. |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (in force January 1, 2026; replaces Bylaw No. 1085, 2016).Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025, ss. 6.1, 6.4, 6.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis 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. |
How it works
The Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (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.
Steps
- Apply online through the PSD Citywide portal. See the Licences and Permits page.
- 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.
- Staff review the application. The Inspector may approve, refuse, suspend, cancel or impose conditions on a licence.
- Health permits, insurance or provincial approvals may also be needed.
Good to know
- 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.
- New liquor or cannabis application $900, amendment $400, transfer $10.
- 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.
- 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.
- We found no inter-community business licence for Houston.
- Questions: 250-845-2238 or doh@houston.ca.
Official forms and pages
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (PDF), District of Houston
- Bylaw No. 1221, 2025 (PDF), Business Licence Fees, Schedule A-3
- Business Licensing User Guide (PDF), District of Houston
- Licences and Permits, District of Houston
- Bylaw No. 1230, 2026 (PDF), Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220 bylaw notice amounts
The same question in other places
Telkwa · Smithers · Granisle · New Hazelton · Terrace · Fraser Lake
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220, 2025 (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw No. 1221, 2025 (PDF), Business Licence Fees, Schedule A-3 (read 2026-11-08)
- Business Licensing User Guide (PDF), District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Licences and Permits, District of Houston (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw No. 1230, 2026 (PDF), Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 1220 bylaw notice amounts (read 2026-11-08)
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. How answers are checked.