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Invermere business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply

Do I need a business licence in Invermere, and how do I get one?

Invermere, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

Key facts

Who needs oneAnyone 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.Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025, ss. 3.1, 3.2, 20.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
(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.
FeeGeneral 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.Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1682, 2025, Schedule F · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
General Business Licence $150 $150
Mobile Vendor $500 $300
Business Licence Transfer Fee * $75
How to applyComplete 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.Business Licencing, FAQ; Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025, s. 5.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
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.
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,
RenewalLicences run January 1 to December 31. A renewal notice is mailed in early December and fees are due by January 31.Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025, ss. 8.1, 12.3; Business Licencing, FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
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.
If you have a business licence, you will automatically be sent a renewal notice in the mail in early December.
Inter-community licenceNone set. The District does not offer an inter-community licence.
FineMunicipal 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.Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Schedule O, Bylaw No. 1655, 2024, Schedule O (Bylaw 1655, 2024); Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025, s. 24.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
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
(b) on summary conviction to a fine of not more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), plus the
BylawBusiness Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
BYLAW NO. 1683, 2025

How it works

Under Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025, 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).

Steps

  1. Complete the business licence application form.
  2. 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.
  3. Staff forward it to the agencies that must approve it.
  4. 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.

Good to know

  • Licences run January 1 to December 31. A renewal notice is mailed in early December and fees are due by January 31.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The District does not offer an inter-community licence.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Radium Hot Springs · Canal Flats · Kaslo · Elkford · Kimberley · Cranbrook

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Business Licencing, District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1682, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw Schedule O, Bylaw No. 1655, 2024 (PDF), District of Invermere (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 is recorded as not set. How answers are checked.