Kamloops business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Kamloops, and how do I get one?
Short answer
Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of Kamloops, including a home-based or non-resident business, needs a City business licence. Apply online through eApply with a MyCity account. There is a $15 application fee, then a category fee (for example $168 for retail under 324 m²).
Key facts
| Who needs one | Anyone carrying on a business in the City, including home-based businesses, commercial, and non-resident businesses.Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 9-60, s. 400; Business Licensing Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person or entity shall carry on a business within the City without having obtained a valid business licence issued by the Business Licence Inspector. The City issues licences to commercial, home-based, and non-resident businesses. |
|---|---|
| Fee | $15 non-refundable application fee, then a category fee (Schedule D, effective January 1, 2026). Examples: retail under 324 m² $168; business service $168; restaurant, bakery, deli or caterer $225; general contractor $284; subcontractor $142.Business Licensing Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule D, Sch. D, items 3, 5, 9, 26 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording$15 non-refundable application fee All other licence fees will be invoiced once your application has been reviewed, and fees will be due upon receipt of your invoice. (a) Floor area less than 324 m² $146.00 $111.00 $168.00 $128.00 (a) Restaurant Bakery, Deli, Caterer $196.40 n/a $225.00 n/a Business Licence Fees by Category Effective October 2, 2012 Effective January 1, 2026 |
| How to apply | Apply online through eApply with a MyCity account, giving business name, address, contact details, start date and a brief description, with the $15 fee. A kiosk is at 105 Seymour Street. Commercial sites are reviewed for zoning, building, fire and health rules; home-based businesses have a streamlined process.Business Licensing Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ; Business Licensing Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ (processing) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAll new licence applications are done online through eApply a business name, address, contact information, business start date, and a brief description of your business Commercial locations are reviewed for zoning (land use), building, fire, and health regulations. The processing time for a new business licence is two to four business days for a home-based or non-resident business and 12 to 16 business days for a commercial business |
| Renewal | A licence runs January 1 to December 31. Renewal fees must be paid before January 1 even without an invoice; invoices are sent in November. A $25 late charge applies to payments received after January 15.Sources differ: The City's FAQ says invoices go out around mid-November and payment is due by January 1; the renewal page says end of November and December 31. The bylaw says before the start of the licence period (January 1) and late after January 15. Renewals can be paid through MyCity, PayOnline, mail, in person, or online banking.Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 9-60, ss. 405, 407; Business Licensing, Business Licence Renewal · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingto commence on the first day of January and to terminate on the 31st day of December Business licence holders must renew their business licence by submitting the required renewal payments received after January 15th in a given year will be subject to a $25 late payment charge. Business licence renewal invoices are sent at the end of November each year. Payments are due by December 31. |
| Inter-community licence | Yes, for mobile businesses working in two or more partner communities. Partners may include Barriere, Chase, Clearwater, Kamloops, Lillooet, Logan Lake, Merritt and Tk'emlups te Secwepemc. The fee is $75. It is a secondary licence: you need a primary licence first and apply through the community that issued it.Business Licensing, Inter-Community Business Licence; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule D, Sch. D, item 40; Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 9-60, s. 524(g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPartnering communities may include Barriere, Chase, Clearwater, Kamloops, Lillooet, Logan Lake, Merritt, An ICBL is a secondary business licence. INTER COMMUNITY BUSINESS LICENCE FEE $75.00 $75.00 is separate and additional to any Municipal Business Licence that |
| Fine | $200 for carrying on business without a business licence (s. 400). $100 for failing to display a business licence (s. 419).Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 43-15, Sch. D · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo Business Licence 400 $200.00 Failure to Display Business Licence 419 $100.00 |
| Bylaw | Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 9-60, 2012Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 9-60, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUSINESS LICENCE AND REGULATION BYLAW NO. 9-60, 2012 Effective Date - October 2, 2012 |
How it works
The City of Kamloops requires a licence under its Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw 9-60 for anyone carrying on a business in the City. You need a separate licence for each premises and for each distinct business category on a premises. Commercial sites are reviewed for zoning, building, fire and health rules. Home-based businesses have a streamlined process.
Steps
- Check zoning with Planning (250-828-3561 or planning@kamloops.ca). Some commercial types need prior approvals (zoning, building permit, sign permit, fire and Interior Health inspections) before opening.
- Apply online through eApply with a MyCity account, giving your business name, address, contact details, start date and a brief description, with the $15 fee. A kiosk is at 105 Seymour Street.
- Pay the category fee. Check it with Business Licensing before applying.
Good to know
- Other categories (accommodation, contractors, financial and more) are in Schedule D of Fees and Charges Bylaw 44-14. Each has a primary and a secondary fee.
- Renewals: a licence runs January 1 to December 31. Pay before January 1 even if you have no invoice; invoices are sent in November. A $25 late charge applies to payments received after January 15. Pay through MyCity, PayOnline, mail, in person, or online banking. The City's pages give slightly different invoice and due dates, so check your notice.
- Mobile businesses working in two or more partner communities (which may include Barriere, Chase, Clearwater, Kamloops, Lillooet, Logan Lake, Merritt and Tk'emlups te Secwepemc) can get an inter-community licence for $75. It is a secondary licence: you need a primary licence first and apply through the community that issued it.
- Fines: $200 for carrying on business without a business licence, and $100 for failing to display a business licence.
What you'll need
- Business name, address, contact details, start date and a brief description
- Any approvals that apply to your premises (zoning, building, sign permit, fire, Interior Health)
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sun Peaks · Chase · Barriere · Logan Lake · Ashcroft · Cache Creek
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licensing, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licensing Frequently Asked Questions, City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 9-60 (PDF), City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 44-14, Schedule D (PDF), City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 43-15 (PDF), City of Kamloops (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Information Request, City of Kamloops (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.