Lake Country business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Lake Country, and how do I get one?
Short answer
Yes. Anyone carrying on business in the District of Lake Country needs a licence for each business and premises. A standard licence is $125 a year plus a $30 non-refundable application fee. Apply online at MyLakeCountry. Licences are issued once you pay, typically within 2 to 3 weeks.
Key facts
| Who needs one | Anyone carrying on business in the District, including home-based businesses, short-term vacation rentals and non-profit societies. A separate licence is needed for each business and each premises.Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated), s. 3.1; Business Licencing, Business Licencing page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA person will not carry on business in the District without first having obtained A person who carries on business from more than one premise in the District must operating a non-profit society or organization. A valid business licence is required to conduct business in Lake Country. |
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| Fee | Standard business licence $125 a year plus a $30 non-refundable application fee. Home-based $65 (no visiting clients), temporary licence $50 for 30 days, non-profit societies and farm gate sales $0. Fees are prorated by approval date.Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingStandard Business Licence Fee $125.00 Application Fee (excluding short term vacation rentals and bed and $30.00 Temporary Business Licence $50.00 Standard Business Licence Fees will be prorated based on the approval date of the licence. |
| How to apply | Apply online at MyLakeCountry for a standard licence, or a standard licence with Interior Health and/or Provincial approval. Confirm the location's zoning first. Staff review the application, may require a building inspection, then invoice the annual fee; the licence is issued on payment, typically within 2 to 3 weeks.Business Licencing, Business Licencing page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe first step is to ensure the location is within the appropriate zone. The business licence team will review the application to determine if a building inspection is required. If the licence is approved, the applicant will receive an invoice for the annual business licence fee a business licence can be issued within 2-3 weeks. |
| Renewal | Licences run January 1 to December 31; renewal invoices go out each December. Bylaw 1000 s. 12.4 says renewal fees must be paid before January 31, but the Fees Bylaw says an unpaid licence gets a $50 late fee from March 1 (fee row says April 1) and is terminated on April 1.Sources differ: Conflict in the sources: Business Licensing Bylaw s. 12.4 (consolidated to 2018) says renewal fees must be paid before January 31; the current Fees Bylaw schedule sets the March 1 late fee and April 1 termination. The Fees Bylaw schedule is the newer.Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated), s. 8.1; Business Licencing, Business Licencing page, Payment; Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBusiness Licences will be granted annually for a period commencing January 1 and expiring December 31. Fees Bylaw, as amended from time to time, must be paid prior to January 31 in each the Renewal notices are mailed out December of each calendar year. A Standard Business Licence that remains unpaid as of March 1st will be subject to a Late Fee. A Standard Business Licence that remains unpaid as of April 1st will be terminated. |
| Inter-community licence | Yes. Inter-Community Business Licence is $150 on top of the standard licence. It lets mobile businesses serve clients across 21 communities in the Okanagan. Excluded: mobile food vendors, taxi and car services, boat rentals and body rub services.Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule 15; Business Licencing, Business Licencing page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingInter-Community Business Licence $150.00 Inter-Community Business Licence fees are in-addition to the Standard Business Licence fee. Inter-Community Business Licence allows mobile businesses to serve clients in 21 communities throughout the Okanagan. |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $100 for failing to obtain a required licence ($50 if paid within 14 days, $125 late). Municipal ticket: $100 ($50 if paid within 30 days).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), Schedule A.10; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), Business Licensing Bylaw schedule · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording3.1(a) Fail to obtain a required licence $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 3.1(a) Fail to obtain required licence $100.00 $50.00 |
| Bylaw | Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017; fees in Fees Bylaw 987, 2016, Schedule 15Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUSINESS LICENSING BYLAW 1000, 2017 (Includes amendment as of September 18, 2018) |
How it works
Under the District of Lake Country's Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, anyone carrying on business in the District needs a licence. That includes home-based businesses, short-term vacation rentals and non-profit societies. A separate licence is needed for each business and each premises. Fees are in Schedule 15 of the Fees Bylaw.
Steps
- Confirm the location's zoning first.
- Apply online at MyLakeCountry for a standard licence, or a standard licence with Interior Health and/or Provincial approval.
- Staff review the application and may require a building inspection.
- The District invoices the annual fee, and the licence is issued on payment.
Good to know
- Renewal: licences run January 1 to December 31, and renewal invoices go out each December. The bylaw (s. 12.4) says renewal fees must be paid before January 31, but the Fees Bylaw says an unpaid licence gets a $50 late fee from March 1 and is terminated on April 1 (the fee row says April 1). Pay by January 31 to be safe, and confirm with the District.
- Endorsements: fire, building and bylaw officer endorsement is required except for home-based businesses. Interior Health approval is needed for food, childcare and personal services.
- Other fees: transfer $70; marijuana dispensaries or grow operations $600; short-term vacation rentals and bed and breakfasts $350.
- Inter-Community Business Licence: $150 on top of the standard licence, for mobile businesses serving clients across 21 Okanagan communities. Not prorated. Excluded: mobile food vendors, taxi and car services, boat rentals and body rub services. You still need a standard licence where you are located.
- Fines: a bylaw notice for operating without a required licence is $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days, $125 late); a municipal ticket is $100 ($50 within 30 days). Failing to display a licence is also $100.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Kelowna · Vernon · Coldstream · West Kelowna · Lumby · Peachland
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licencing, District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
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.