---
title: "Princeton business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Princeton, and how do I get one?"
place: Princeton, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/princeton
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Princeton
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/business-licence.json"
---

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

**Question:** Do I need a business licence in Princeton, and how do I get one?

**Short answer:** Princeton businesses get a licence from the Town. The resident or non-resident licence is $90 a year (September 1, 2026 rate). Complete the Business Licence Application and email it to spalmar@princeton.ca, or drop it off at the Annex, 231 Bridge Street.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Princeton, https://www.princeton.ca)  
**Cost:** Resident or non-resident $90 a year; seasonal $45; farmers/crafters market $30; special event $190 a day; liquor primary $280 (September 1, 2026 rates). $60 fire inspection fee if required.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- Email: Business licensing, spalmar@princeton.ca
- In person: The Annex, 231 Bridge Street, Princeton, BC
- By mail: Mail, PO Box 670, Princeton, BC V0X 1W0
- Phone: Town Hall, 250-295-3135

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Not confirmed. The Town's website does not state exactly who must hold a licence.
- **Fee:** Resident or non-resident business licence $90 a year; seasonal $45; farmers/crafters market $30; special event $190 a day; liquor primary $280 (September 1, 2026 rates). The form adds a $60 fire inspection fee if required.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences, Schedule F, F01 to F06](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/)
  - Official wording: "Resident Business License $ 70.00 $ 75.00 $ 80.00 $ 85.00 $ 90.00" … "Non-resident business license $ 70.00 $ 75.00 $ 80.00 $ 85.00 $ 90.00" … "Seasonal License $ 35.00 $ 40.00 $ 40.00 $ 40.00 $ 45.00" … "Special Events (per day) $ 155.00 $ 160.00 $ 170.00 $ 180.00 $ 190.00"
  - Source: [Business Licence Application, Application, fee schedule](https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=BUSINESS%20LICENCE%20APPLICATION_new(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Basic Fee $90.00" … "Fire Inspection – Current fire inspection to be attached if required $60.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Complete the Business Licence Application, sign it, and email it to spalmar@princeton.ca, fax 250-295-3477, drop it off at the Annex (231 Bridge Street) or mail it to PO Box 670. Building and fire inspections are mandatory for commercial or industrial premises and residential daycares; a health inspection is also needed if applicable.
  - Source: [Business Licencing, Business Licencing page](https://www.princeton.ca/p/bylaw-services-1)
  - Official wording: "Email: spalmar@princeton.ca" … "Drop off: The Annex, 231 Bridge Street, with front counter staff."
  - Source: [Business Licence Application, Application, page 2](https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=BUSINESS%20LICENCE%20APPLICATION_new(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Mandatory Building and Fire inspections are required for any commercial/industrial property or residential daycare, and a"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** The licence fee is an annual rate, prorated by 50% for applications received after October 1 of each year.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences, Schedule F, F01](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/)
  - Official wording: "The fee is charged as an annual rate"
  - Source: [Business Licence Application, Application, fee schedule](https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=BUSINESS%20LICENCE%20APPLICATION_new(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Charge is prorated by 50% for application received after October 1st of each year"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. The Okanagan-Similkameen Inter-municipal Licence covers Armstrong, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Coldstream, Enderby, Kelowna, Keremeos, Lake Country, Lumby, Merritt, Oliver, Osoyoos, Peachland, Penticton, Princeton, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Spallumcheen, Summerland, Vernon and West Kelowna. Fee $190 a year, in addition to the Town licence fee.
  - Source: [Business Licencing, Business Licencing page](https://www.princeton.ca/p/bylaw-services-1)
  - Official wording: "Mobile business licences allow some types of businesses to work across participating communities." … "Okanagan-Similkameen Inter-municipal Licence"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences, Schedule F, F07](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/)
  - Official wording: "Inter-Municipal License $ 155.00 $ 160.00 $ 170.00 $ 180.00 $ 190.00"
  - Source: [Business Licence Application, Application, fee schedule](https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=BUSINESS%20LICENCE%20APPLICATION_new(1%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Note: This fee is in addition to the required municipal licence fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Not confirmed. The Town's website does not state a ticket amount for operating without a licence.
- **Bylaw:** Town of Princeton Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 914, 2016; Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 816, 2009 (amended by Bylaw No. 972, 2020). Fees are in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/)
  - Official wording: "Town of Princeton Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 914, 2016"
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 972, 2020, Bylaw 972, s. 2](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/38118/)
  - Official wording: "Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 816, 2009"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The Town of Princeton issues business licences under its Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 914, 2016, which is not in the Town's posted bylaw library. Because of that, the Town's website as read does not state exactly who must hold a licence. The application form lists Commercial, Home Based, Non-Residential, Intermunicipal and Seasonal licences. Fees are in Schedule F of [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/).

## Steps

1. Complete and sign the Business Licence Application.
2. Email it to spalmar@princeton.ca, fax 250-295-3477, drop it off at the Annex (231 Bridge Street) or mail it to PO Box 670.
3. Building and fire inspections are mandatory for commercial or industrial premises and residential daycares. A health inspection is also needed if applicable.
4. Pay the fee.

## Good to know

- The licence fee is an annual rate, prorated by 50% for applications received after October 1 of each year. Expiry and renewal steps are set in Bylaw 914, which was not available to read.
- Interior Health approval may be needed for food premises and other listed businesses.
- The Okanagan-Similkameen Inter-municipal Licence covers Armstrong, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Coldstream, Enderby, Kelowna, Keremeos, Lake Country, Lumby, Merritt, Oliver, Osoyoos, Peachland, Penticton, Princeton, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Spallumcheen, Summerland, Vernon and West Kelowna. It costs $190 a year, in addition to the Town licence fee. Each area allows different business types; contact a participating local government to check eligibility.
- The Town's website does not state a ticket amount for operating without a licence.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licence Application (PDF)](https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=BUSINESS%20LICENCE%20APPLICATION_new(1%29.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences (PDF)](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/)

## Related questions

- [Princeton home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/home-based-business.md)
- [Princeton short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/short-term-rental.md)
- [Princeton zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Keremeos](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/business-licence.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/business-licence.md)
- [Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/business-licence.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/business-licence.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/business-licence.md)
- [Oliver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licencing, Town of Princeton](https://www.princeton.ca/p/bylaw-services-1) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences (PDF), Town of Princeton](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licence Application (PDF), Town of Princeton](https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=BUSINESS%20LICENCE%20APPLICATION_new(1%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 972, 2020 (PDF), Town of Princeton](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/38118/) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 2 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Town of Princeton. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/business-licence/_