{"title":"Invermere business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Invermere, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/invermere","name":"Invermere","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 Invermere","url":"https://invermere.net"},"short_answer":"Yes. In Invermere anyone carrying on business needs a District licence for each business and premises. A General Business Licence is $150 to apply and $150 to renew. Email the form to info@invermere.net or hand it in at 914 8th Avenue.","aliases":["business licence invermere","business license invermere","get a business licence invermere","licence fees invermere"],"cost":"General Business Licence: $150 application and $150 renewal. Other categories cost more (for example Mobile Vendor $500 / $300; Short-term Rental $700 / $500). Transfer to new premises or owner: $75.","how_long":"The licence is typically issued in 7 to 10 working days.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"914 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"email","label":"Business licensing","value":"info@invermere.net"},{"type":"phone","label":"District office","value":"250-342-9281"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licencing, District of Invermere","url":"https://invermere.net/business/business-licencing/"},{"title":"Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF)","url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1682, 2025 (PDF)","url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1682-fees-and-charges-amendment-bylaw.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Invermere home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Invermere short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Invermere zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Invermere bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/radium-hot-springs","name":"Radium Hot Springs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/radium-hot-springs/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/canal-flats","name":"Canal Flats","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kaslo","name":"Kaslo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/elkford","name":"Elkford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/elkford/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/"}],"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 business in the District needs a licence for each business and each premises. No licence is needed for daycare or babysitting of up to two unrelated children or one family's children, or a residential garage sale of up to five sale days a year.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"ss. 3.1, 3.2, 20.1","quotes":["(a) A person will not carry on business in the District without first having obtained and paid for a","(c) A person who carries on business from more than one premise in the District must obtain a separate","A Business Licence is not required for the provision of daycare or babysitting services for up to two","provided that a person does not hold more than five (5) sale days per year."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"General Business Licence: $150 application and $150 renewal. Other categories cost more (for example Mobile Vendor $500 / $300; Short-term Rental $700 / $500). Transfer to new premises or owner: $75.","short":"$150 application; $150 renewal","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1682-fees-and-charges-amendment-bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1682, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"Schedule F","quotes":["General Business Licence $150 $150","Mobile Vendor $500 $300","Business Licence Transfer Fee * $75"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Complete the application form and email it to info@invermere.net or hand it in at 914 8th Avenue, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Staff forward it to the agencies that must approve it; the licence is typically issued in 7 to 10 working days.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.net/business/business-licencing/","title":"Business Licencing, District of Invermere","section":"FAQ","quotes":["Applications can be emailed to info@invermere.net. Alternately, applications can be submitted in-person between 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday- Friday at the District of Invermere office at 914 8th Ave.","Licence staff will review your application to make sure it is complete, and forward it to the appropriate agencies for approvals.","Typically, a licence is issued within 7 to 10 working days, but may take longer."]},{"url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"s. 5.1","quotes":["The Licence Inspector may grant a Business Licence upon being satisfied that the Applicant has complied","with the bylaws of the District regulating building, zoning, health, sanitation, water, life safety, nuisance,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences run January 1 to December 31. A renewal notice is mailed in early December and fees are due by January 31.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"ss. 8.1, 12.3","quotes":["Business Licences will be granted annually for a period commencing January 1 and expiring December","31.","must be paid to the District prior to January 31 in the licence year."]},{"url":"https://invermere.net/business/business-licencing/","title":"Business Licencing, District of Invermere","section":"FAQ","quotes":["If you have a business licence, you will automatically be sent a renewal notice in the mail in early December."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":null,"status":"none","note":"The District does not offer an inter-community licence.","sources":[]},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket: $500 first offence and $3,000 subsequent offence for failing to obtain or hold a licence; $50 first and $150 subsequent for failing to display it. A court fine can be up to $50,000.","short":"Ticket $500 first offence; $3,000 after","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/51621/","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Schedule O, Bylaw No. 1655, 2024 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"Schedule O (Bylaw 1655, 2024)","quotes":["Fail to obtain or hold business 3.1 (a), (b) or (c)","First Offence: $ 500 Subsequent Offence: $3,000*","Fail to display business licence 10.1","First Offence: $ 50"]},{"url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"s. 24.4","quotes":["(b) on summary conviction to a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), plus the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere","section":"Title","quotes":["BYLAW NO. 1683, 2025"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":1,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder [Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf), anyone carrying on business in the District of Invermere needs a licence for each business and each premises. No licence is needed for daycare or babysitting of up to two unrelated children or one family's children, or a residential garage sale of up to five sale days a year. Fees are in Schedule F of the Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1615 (Amendment Bylaw No. 1682, 2025).\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Complete the business licence application form.\n2. Email it to info@invermere.net, or hand it in at 914 8th Avenue, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.\n3. Staff forward it to the agencies that must approve it.\n4. Pay the fee: e-transfer to info@invermere.net, or cash, cheque or debit at the office. Bring the form, any lease and any provincial or federal licences.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Licences run January 1 to December 31. A renewal notice is mailed in early December and fees are due by January 31.\n- Other fees (application / renewal): Cannabis Dispenser $1000 / $500; Rental of watercraft $1000 / $1000; Pawnbrokers and second-hand dealers $2000 / $150; Carnival or circus $150 per day; Social escort, dating, massage and body paint $5000 / $5000.\n- A municipal ticket is $500 for a first offence and $3,000 for a subsequent offence for failing to obtain or hold a licence, and $50 first and $150 subsequent for failing to display it. A court fine can be up to $50,000. The ticket schedule names a repealed bylaw, so confirm current amounts with the District.\n- The District does not offer an inter-community licence.","sources":[{"url":"https://invermere.net/business/business-licencing/","title":"Business Licencing, District of Invermere","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf","title":"Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1682-fees-and-charges-amendment-bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1682, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/51621/","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Schedule O, Bylaw No. 1655, 2024 (PDF), District of Invermere","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 is recorded as not set."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/business-licence.json"}}