Mackenzie business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Mackenzie, and how do I get one?
Short answer
Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the District of Mackenzie, including contractors, needs a valid District business licence. Fees are set by category in Schedule A of the Business Licence Bylaw. Licences expire each December 31.
Key facts
| Who needs one | Anyone carrying on a business in the District must hold a valid licence. Exceptions include yard sales (no more than 4 a year), buskers, fund-raising by schools or churches, renting a house, suite or duplex under the Residential Tenancy Act, and some non-resident wholesale or delivery businesses. Contractors must also have one.Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016, consolidated, s. 4.1 and s. 4.2; Building Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga Person shall not carry on a Business within the Municipality unless the Person holds a valid Licence. yard or garage sales provided that the sales do not occur more frequently than buskers or street entertainers All contractors must have or obtain a valid District of Mackenzie business license. |
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| Fee | Set by category in Schedule A. Examples: personal services $80; general business services $104; construction (under 5 employees) $128; retail sales (under 5 employees) $127; professionals $144 each; real estate $197. First-year fees are pro-rated.Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016, consolidated, Schedule A; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016, consolidated, s. 10.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA business must pay the following fee for $80.00 A business must pay the following fee for $104.00 A business must pay the following fee for Less than 5 employees: $128.00 A business must pay the following fee for Less than 5 employees: $127.00 $144.00 per professional A business must pay the following fee for $197.00 be based on a reduction of one-twelfth for each full month period in the calendar |
| How to apply | Complete the application form and submit it with the fee in person or by mail to District of Mackenzie, PO Bag 340, 1 Mackenzie Blvd. Show the property owner's approval for the premises. The District checks bylaws, provincial qualifications and premises standards. A valid development permit is required first for a new building or structure.Business Licences, Applying for your licence; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016, consolidated, s. 5.1(c) and s. 13.2; Building Permits, Development Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe application form and fee may submitted in person or by mail to: District of Mackenzie PO Bag 340 1 Mackenzie Blvd provide proof to the District that the Business has the approval to operate at the the Applicant is in compliance with the requirements of the District’s bylaws; You are required to have a valid development permit before you can apply for a building permit to construct a building or structure, or to apply for a business license. |
| Renewal | All licences expire on December 31 and must be renewed each year. Renewal notices are mailed in November; pay in person, online or by mail. A 10% penalty applies after March 1 and another 20% after April 1.Business Licences, Renewing your licence; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016, consolidated, s. 12.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAll licences expire on December 31 and must be renewed annually. Renewal notices will be sent out by mail in November of every year. a penalty of 10% added to the Licence Fee, if the Licensee does not pay the applicable an additional penalty of 20% added to the Licence Fee, if the Licensee does not pay the |
| Inter-community licence | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Fine | $100 for carrying on business without a licence; $50 for failing to display a licence.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1465, with amendments, Schedule 3 (Business Licence Bylaw) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingCarry on business without a Licence. 4.1 $100 Failure to display a Licence. 8. $50 |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016, as amended by Bylaws No. 1390, 1399 and 1475.Bylaws and Regulations, Frequently requested bylaws; Business Licences, Applying for your licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBylaw No. 1355, Amended by 1390, 1399, 1475 Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355 |
How it works
Under the District of Mackenzie's Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, anyone carrying on a business in the District must hold a valid licence. Exceptions include yard sales (no more than 4 a year), buskers, fund-raising by schools or churches, renting a house, suite or duplex under the Residential Tenancy Act, and some non-resident wholesale or delivery businesses. A separate licence is needed for each premises and for each business at a premises. Retail cannabis sales cannot be licensed.
Steps
- Complete the application form.
- Submit it with the fee, in person or by mail, and show the property owner's approval for the premises.
- The District checks bylaws, provincial qualifications and premises standards.
- For a new building or structure, the District says a valid development permit is needed first.
Good to know
- Renewal: all licences expire on December 31. Renewal notices are mailed in November; pay in person, online or by mail. A 10% penalty applies after March 1 and another 20% after April 1. The bylaw (s. 12.2) says the fee must be submitted before February 28, so pay early. For online payment, call Finance at 250-997-3221.
- Fees by employee count rise to $620 for 50 or more employees in some categories.
- Fines: $100 for carrying on business without a licence; $50 for failing to display a licence (Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw).
- No inter-community licence is mentioned in the District's bylaw or pages.
What you'll need
- Completed business licence application form
- The fee
- The property owner's approval for the premises
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Chetwynd · Hudson's Hope · Tumbler Ridge · Fort St James · Vanderhoof · Prince George
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licences, District of Mackenzie (read 2026-11-08)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016, consolidated (PDF), District of Mackenzie (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1465, with amendments (PDF), District of Mackenzie (read 2026-11-08)
- Building Permits, District of Mackenzie (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaws and Regulations, District of Mackenzie (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.