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

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

Nelson, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes. Anyone who owns or operates a business in the City of Nelson, including a home-based business, needs an annual City business licence for each business and each premises. Fill in the Business License Application (PDF), pay the fee, and call the Finance Department at 250-352-8248 with questions.

Key facts

Who needs one	Every person who owns or operates a business in Nelson must have an annual licence for each business, and a separate licence for each premises, even if they live elsewhere. This covers retail, professional, home-based businesses, tourist accommodation, short-term rentals and cannabis. Exempt: busking, yard sales on residential property, and employed or contracted drivers of a licensed passenger service.Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026, ss. 3.1-3.4, 4.1; Business Licence, City page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Every person who owns or operates a business within the City of Nelson shall apply for, obtain, and maintain a licence for each business annually. Every person who operates more than one business at one premises, shall any person busking; any person holding a Yard Sale on their residential property; Any person owning or operating a business within the City of Nelson must obtain an annual Business Licence.
Fee	Annual fees (Schedule N): retail up to 1,115 m² $135; restaurant or food establishment $135; home occupation $80; professional (1 to 7) $160; tourist accommodation (1 to 15 rooms) $160; all other businesses $135; non-profit $0. Applications received on or after July 1 pay half.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, Schedule N, Schedule N, Business licence fees; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026, s. 7.11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Home occupations $80 Professional - one to seven professionals $160 Restaurant/food establishment $135 Retail: 0-1,115 sq. m. $135 All other businesses, not classified in this schedule $135 Non-profit $0 Tourist accommodation – one to fifteen guest rooms/suites/hostels $160 For licence applications received on or after July 1st, other than applications for the applicable licence fees prescribed by the Fees and Charges Bylaw will be reduced by fifty (50) percent.
How to apply	Complete the Business Licence Application (PDF) and pay the fee with the application. The licence inspector grants it if the applicant complies with the City's building, zoning and business bylaws, and may require proof of provincial or federal approvals. Home-based child care centres are inspected. Questions: Finance Department, 250-352-8248.Applications for Business Licences, City page; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026, ss. 7.3, 10.1, 10.4, 9.4; Business Licence, City page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Business Licence Application Form for All Other Businesses (PDF) Every person applying for a new licence shall, at the time of making the The Licence Inspector may grant a licence where the Licence Inspector is satisfied that the applicant therefore has complied with the requirements of the bylaws of the City regulating building, zoning, and business. any home-based child care centres; and Contact the City of Nelson Finance Department by calling 250-352-8248
Renewal	Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewals must be paid by February 28; later payment adds a $40 fee. Pay at City Hall (cash, debit, credit card, cheque), the 24-hour drop box, or online by credit card. Short-term rental renewals are due December 15.Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026, ss. 6.1, 7.4, 7.5, 16.1; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, Schedule N; Business Licences (payment), City page, Business Licences payment · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording the licence period shall be one (1) year, to commence on January 1 and to terminate on December 31 All business licence annual renewals shall be paid no later than February 28th An application for renewal of a Short-Term Rental licence must be received by the City by December 15th in each calendar year Change of ownership, business name, and late payment fee $40 At City Hall payment can be made by cash, debit, credit card, or cheque. The City offers a 24 hour drop box located at the front of the City Hall. Use our online services to pay by credit card.
Inter-community licence	Yes, for mobile businesses that move from client to client (trades, plumbers, electricians). It costs $100 on top of the regular Nelson licence and is valid in Nelson, Castlegar, Creston, Rossland, Grand Forks, Salmo, Slocan, Kaslo, Silverton and New Denver.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, Schedule N; Inter-Community Business Licence Program, City flyer; Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, s. 1, 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Inter-community business licence $100 The cost of the ICBL is $100, which is in municipalities: City of Nelson, City of Castlegar, Town of Creston, City of Rossland, City of Grand Forks, Villages of Salmo, Slocan, Kaslo, Silverton and New Denver. performs a service or activity within more than one Participating The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is separate and additional
Fine	Bylaw notice for operating without a business licence: $500 ($450 if paid within 14 days; $500 after 28 days). The notice schedule still cites the repealed Bylaw 3347. In court: a fine up to $50,000, or up to six months in jail, or both; each day is a separate offence.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A, Business Licence; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026, ss. 3.5, 24.1, 24.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Operate without a Business $500 $450 $500 Yes BUSINESS LICENCE (Section 3.1 amended by BL. 3653, 2026) A person shall not carry on any business for which a licence is required by On being found guilty of an offence under this Bylaw, a person will be liable to pay a fine of up to $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months
Bylaw	The Corporation of the City of Nelson Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026 (fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, Schedule N)Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026, s. 27.1; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, Schedule N · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026 SCHEDULE "N" TO BUSINESS LICENCE FEES AND CHARGES

How it works

Under the Business Licence Bylaw 3661, every person who owns or operates a business in Nelson must hold an annual licence for each business, and a separate licence for each premises, even if they live elsewhere. This covers retail, professional, home-based businesses, tourist accommodation, short-term rentals and cannabis. Busking, yard sales on residential property, and employed or contracted drivers of a licensed passenger service are exempt.

The licence inspector grants a licence if you comply with the City's building, zoning and business bylaws, and may ask for proof of provincial or federal approvals. The business type must be permitted by the Zoning Bylaw or a temporary use permit.

Steps

Check with Development Services (250-352-8260) that your business is allowed at your location.
Fill in the Business License Application (PDF). Short-term rentals and medical cannabis businesses have their own pages.
Submit it with the fee. Pay at City Hall, the 24-hour drop box, or online by credit card.
Tell the City if your location, owner or business name changes, using the Business Licence Revision Form.
Renew each year: pay by February 28 at City Hall, the drop box or online. Short-term rental renewals are due December 15.

Good to know

Other annual fees: licensed restaurant $420; retail liquor, cannabis, vape and tobacco $210; fuel station $200; bank or credit union $1,040; retail over 1,116 m² $1,040; tourist accommodation 16 or more rooms $625. Change of location $100; change of ownership, business name or late payment $40.
Mobile businesses working in several municipalities can buy an Inter-Community Business Licence for $100 on top of the Nelson licence. It is valid in Nelson, Castlegar, Creston, Rossland, Grand Forks, Salmo, Slocan, Kaslo, Silverton and New Denver (from an undated City flyer).
Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice of $500 ($450 if paid within 14 days; $500 after 28 days). The notice schedule still cites the repealed Bylaw 3347, so confirm with the City. In court, up to $50,000, or up to six months in jail, or both; each day is a separate offence.
Failing to post the licence is $150.

What you'll need

Completed Business License Application (PDF)
The licence fee, paid with the application
Proof of provincial or federal approvals, if the licence inspector asks for it

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Castlegar · Slocan · Salmo · Fruitvale · Trail · Warfield

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Business Licence, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
Applications for Business Licences, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
Business Licences (payment), City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, Schedule N (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw (PDF), City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
Inter-Community Business Licence Program, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)

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