Prince George business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Prince George, and how do I get one?
Short answer
Yes. Anyone doing business in the City of Prince George needs a City business licence, with a separate licence for each business, trade name or premises. Apply online, pay the $100 processing fee and $25 title search fee, then the annual fee once approved. Licences expire December 31.
Key facts
| Who needs one | Anyone doing business in the City (advertising as open, selling or renting goods, or offering services for gain). Each business, trade name or premises needs its own licence. Not needed for a garage sale on your own property (2 days a year), government activity, or school and continuing education programs.Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020, s. 5.1 to 5.3, s. 5.6, s. 8.9; Business Licences, Business Licences (web page) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingExcept as otherwise provided for in this Bylaw, no person shall operate a business within the City unless the business owner holds a current licence for that business. a garage sale conducted by a person on their own property. This use is limited to two (2) sale days per year per residence; A person who operates more than one (1) business within one (1) premises must obtain a separate licence for each business. A valid City of Prince George Business Licence is required to conduct business in the City. |
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| Fee | A new application costs a $100 non-refundable processing fee plus a $25 title search fee, then an annual fee by category. 2026 examples: restaurant $305.96, Home Business 1 $95.07, bed & breakfast $100.71. Fees rise 3% in 2027.Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7557, 2004, Schedule A-2, Schedule A-2, Business Licence; Business Licences, The application process (web page) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingProcessing fee (non-refundable) for all new, relocation, and re-applications $100.00 Food Primary Restaurant $288.40 $297.05 $305.96 $315.14 Home Business 1 Home Business 1 $89.61 $92.30 $95.07 $97.92 Bed and Breakfast Bed and Breakfast $91.35 $95.92 $100.71 $103.73 After receiving your application, we will send you an initial invoice ($100 administration fee and $25 title search fee). |
| How to apply | Apply online through the City's business licence application. The City invoices $100 and $25, then reviews the application with other agencies (zoning, building, fire, health); if approved, an invoice for the annual fee is emailed. A Code Analysis may be needed if the business changes how a space is used.Business Licences, Apply for a business licence; The application process (web page) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAfter receiving your application, we will send you an initial invoice ($100 administration fee and $25 title search fee). If your application is approved, an invoice for the annual licensing fee will be sent to the email address provided in your application. If your proposed business involves changing how a space is used, you may be required to provide a Code Analysis as part of your business licence application. BC Fire Code requirements and Fire Rescue Services inspection(s). |
| Renewal | Licences expire December 31 each year. By the bylaw, renew by paying the fee before December 31; an unrenewed licence expires and a new application is needed. The City web page says renewal within seven days of expiration.Sources differ: The City page and Bylaw 9040 (adopted 2020, in force January 1, 2021) disagree on any grace period. The page also says failing to renew requires a new application and continued operation brings a fine. Renew online through the City account (Tempest/MyCity).Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020, s. 8.6, s. 8.7; Business Licences, Business Licence Bylaw changes (web page) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery licensee must renew the annual licence by paying the applicable business licence fee to the City prior to December 31 of the year the licence was issued. If a licensee does not renew their annual licence, in accordance with the preceding subsection, the licence shall expire. Licences must be renewed annually by paying the applicable licence fee within seven days of expiration. City of Prince George Business Licences expire on December 31 of each year and must be renewed before the expiration date for a business to continue operating. |
| Inter-community licence | None set. Prince George has no inter-community business licence. |
| Fine | $300 ($375 if paid late) for operating without a valid licence, or with an expired one; $500 with a suspended or cancelled licence; $100 ($125 late) for not displaying the licence. The City page says up to $300 per day.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 8813, 2016, Schedule B, Schedule B (Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040); Business Licences, Important notes (web page) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOperate Business without valid 5.3 $300 $375 Yes Operate Business with an expired 8.6 $300 $375 Yes Operate Business with Suspended or 5.5 $500 $500 Yes Fail to display License 8.4 $100 $125 Yes Operating without a business licence may result in a fine of $300 per day. |
| Bylaw | City of Prince George Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as the "City of Prince George Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020". |
How it works
Under the Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw, anyone doing business in the City needs a licence. That means advertising as open, selling or renting goods, or offering services for gain. Each business, trade name or premises needs its own licence. You do not need one for a garage sale on your own property (2 days a year), government activity, or school and continuing education programs.
Non-resident and mobile businesses are licensed too (mobile business $233.84 per unit in 2026). Annual fees depend on the category and often on floor area. In the first year the fee is prorated: 100% January to March, 75% April to June, 50% July to September, 25% October to December.
Prince George has no inter-community business licence. We found none in the bylaw, fee schedule or City page. The City offers its own mobile business licence.
Steps
- Check the zoning in PGMap before you sign a lease.
- Apply online. The City invoices $100 and $25.
- The City reviews the application with other agencies (zoning, building, fire, health). A Code Analysis may be needed if the business changes how a space is used.
- If approved, the City emails an invoice for the annual fee. Pay it.
Good to know
- Licences expire December 31. The bylaw says renew by paying before December 31; an unrenewed licence expires and a new application is needed. The City web page says renewal within seven days of expiration. Confirm with the City.
- Licences are non-transferable and fees are non-refundable.
- Fees rise 3% in 2027.
- A bylaw notice is $300 ($375 if paid late) for operating without a valid licence or with an expired one, $500 with a suspended or cancelled licence, and $100 ($125 late) for not displaying the licence. The City page says up to $300 per day.
- Provincial and federal requirements may also apply.
What you'll need
- A Code Analysis if your business changes how a space is used
- Any provincial or federal approvals that apply to your business
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Vanderhoof · Quesnel · Fort St James · Fraser Lake · Mackenzie · Tumbler Ridge
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licences, City of Prince George (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7557, 2004, Schedule A-2 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 8813, 2016, Schedule B (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
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.