---
title: "Revelstoke business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Revelstoke, and how do I get one?"
place: Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/revelstoke
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Revelstoke
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/business-licence.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Anyone carrying on a business from premises in the City of Revelstoke needs a City business licence or an Inter-Community Business Licence. Apply through Development Services; the initial review takes about 3 to 4 weeks. Fees are set by business type, for example $58 for a home occupation.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Revelstoke, https://www.revelstoke.ca)  
**Cost:** Set by business type in Schedule I of the Fees and Charges Bylaw, for example $58 for an unclassified business or home occupation. A $58 application fee applies to new licences (non-profits exempt) and a $105 inspection fee where inspections are needed. Taxes are added.  
**How long:** The City says the initial review takes about 3 to 4 weeks.  
**Where:**
- Email: Development Services, building@revelstoke.ca (The City's guide says the New Business Licence application can be emailed or submitted in person.)
- In person: Development Services, City Hall, 216 Mackenzie Avenue, Revelstoke, BC (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Development Services, 250-837-3637

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone who carries on a trade, business, profession, occupation or calling from premises in the City must hold a City business licence or an Inter-Community Business Licence. Advertising or offering to sell or serve visitors counts as carrying on business. Exempt: real estate agents, charitable performances, licensed theatres, and renting up to two rooms to long-term tenants (not short term rentals, B&Bs or secondary suites).
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451, Business Licensing Bylaw s. 4, 5, 11](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053)
  - Official wording: "No person shall carry on, maintain, own or operate from premises within the City a" … "trade, business, profession, occupation or calling unless the owner or operator thereof:" … "a) is the holder of a valid and subsisting License issued under the Bylaw by" … "b) is the older of a valid ICBL pursuant to an Inter-Community Business License" … "d) The business of letting or renting not more than two rooms for long-term" … "tenants (greater than 30 days), excluding Short Term Rentals, Bed and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Set by business type in Schedule I of the Fees and Charges Bylaw, e.g. $58 for an unclassified business or home occupation. A $58 application fee applies to new licences (non-profits exempt) and a $105 inspection fee where inspections are needed. Half the fee applies if the business starts July 1 to December 31.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, Schedule I, Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule I, items 101, 102, 104 and proration](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/145989)
  - Official wording: "101. UNCLASSIFIED OR OTHERWISE UNPROVIDED FOR $58.00" … "102. BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION FEE $58.00" … "Non-profit businesses shall be exempt from paying this fee." … "104. BUSINESS LICENSE INSPECTION FEE $105.00" … "July 1 to December 31 50%"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Apply through Development Services: submit the New Business Licence application by email to building@revelstoke.ca or in person, with the fee (the guide says fees are due on pick-up). Zoning must allow the use; a parking plan and emergency access items may be needed. Initial review takes about 3-4 weeks.
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Business Licensing page](https://www.revelstoke.ca/2054/Business-Licensing)
  - Official wording: "Your property needs to be zoned to allow for the business use that you are applying for a licence." … "Applications are fillable online." … "it takes approximately 3-4 weeks to complete the initial review of the application and scheduling of inspections, if required."
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451, Business Licensing Bylaw s. 14, 21](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053)
  - Official wording: "The application form shall be delivered to the Licence Inspector and shall be" … "Fire Chief, Building Official, Environmental Health Officer, Electrical Inspector for"
  - Source: [New Business Licence Guide, Business Licence Guide (January 2022), Step 1](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8372/Business-Licence-Guide-PDF)
  - Official wording: "form either by email to building@revelstoke.ca or in person to the" … "City of Revelstoke Development Services department." … "Fees associated with the Licence are determined by the type" … "of business and the Fees and Charges Bylaw, fees will be due"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal fees are due by January 31; a 10% penalty applies to fees outstanding after the due date. The City's page says an issued licence auto-renews each December 31 unless formally cancelled, so cancel promptly if you close. (Sources differ: The bylaw (s. 8) says holders apply for renewal before each licensing period and pay the fee; the City page says licences auto-renew. Value follows the bylaw dates and mentions the page.)
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451, Business Licensing Bylaw s. 8, 12, 15](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053)
  - Official wording: "licences shall be granted for a one-year" … "period to commence on the first day of January and to terminate on the 31st day of" … "Annual licence renewal fees are due by January 31st for the calendar year."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, Schedule I, Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule I](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/145989)
  - Official wording: "A penalty will apply to any license fee paid or outstanding after the due date 10%"
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Business Licensing page](https://www.revelstoke.ca/2054/Business-Licensing)
  - Official wording: "Once a Business Licence is issued it will auto-renew on December 31st, on an annual basis, unless it is formally cancelled."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. An Inter-Community Business Licence (Bylaw No. 2208) lets a mobile business operate in all participating municipalities, which include Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Armstrong, Enderby, Vernon, Coldstream, Lumby, Spallumcheen, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Summerland, Penticton, Oliver, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Princeton, Merritt and the Regional District of Central Okanagan. Fee $150, in addition to the standard licence fee.
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business License Bylaw No. 2208, Inter-Community Business License Bylaw No. 2208, s. 3, 4, 10](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/108260)
  - Official wording: "a Person who has obtained an Inter-Community" … "City of Armstrong" … "Regional District of Central" … "District of Coldstream" … "City of Enderby" … "City of Kelowna" … "Village of Keremeos" … "District of Lake" … "Village of Lumby" … "City of Merritt" … "Town of Oliver" … "Town of Osoyoos" … "District of Peachland" … "City of Penticton" … "Town of Princeton" … "City of Revelstoke" … "City of Salmon Arm" … "District of Sicamous" … "City of Vernon" … "Township of Spallumcheen" … "City of West Kelowna" … "The fee for an Inter-Community Business License is outlined in the Fees and"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, Schedule I, Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule I, item 2](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/145989)
  - Official wording: "2. INTER-COMMUNITY BUSINESS – in addition to standard business licence fee" … "Means a mobile business authorized to be carried on within the boundaries of any or all $150.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 for no business licence; $500 ($250 if paid within 14 days) for operating without a valid Inter-Community licence. Municipal ticket: $3,000 for no business licence; $1,000 for no valid Inter-Community licence.
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Bylaw No. 2370, consolidated, Bylaw Offence Notice Bylaw 2370, Schedule B](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/226008/)
  - Official wording: "4 (a) Failure to obtain a business license $500.00 N/A $500.00 Yes" … "4 (b) Carry on business without a valid $500.00 $250.00 $500.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2082, Schedule 2, Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2082, Schedule 2](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/164836)
  - Official wording: "Failure to obtain a business license 4(a) $3000.00 N/A" … "Carry on business without a valid Inter- 4(b) $1000.00 N/A"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Revelstoke Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, 1995 (consolidated through Bylaw 2451); Inter-Community Business License Bylaw No. 2208
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451, Business Licensing Bylaw s. 1](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053)
  - Official wording: "City of Revelstoke Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, 1995"
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business License Bylaw No. 2208, Inter-Community Bylaw title](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/108260)
  - Official wording: "INTER-COMMUNITY BUSINESS LICENSE BYLAW NO. 2208"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw 1503](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053), anyone who carries on a trade, business, profession, occupation or calling from premises in the City needs a City business licence or an Inter-Community Business Licence. Advertising or offering to sell or serve visitors counts as carrying on business. A person with more than one business, or a business at more than one premises, needs a separate licence for each.

Exempt: real estate agents, charitable performances, licensed theatres, and renting up to two rooms to long-term tenants (not short term rentals, bed and breakfasts or secondary suites).

## Steps

1. Check that your zone allows the use (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Fill in the New Business Licence application. A parking plan and emergency access items may be needed.
3. Submit it to Development Services by email to building@revelstoke.ca or in person, with the fee. The City's guide says fees are due on pick-up.
4. If food is prepared or sold on the premises, get Environmental Health Officer approval first.
5. Wait for the review, about 3 to 4 weeks.

## Good to know

- **Renewal:** licences run January 1 to December 31. Under the bylaw, renewal fees are due by January 31, and a 10% penalty applies to fees outstanding after that. The City's web page says an issued licence auto-renews each December 31 unless formally cancelled. Confirm which applies to you, and cancel promptly if you close.
- **Fees:** half the fee applies if the business starts July 1 to December 31. Other examples: bakery (stand alone) $116, banks $683.
- **Inter-Community Business Licence:** a mobile business can operate in all participating municipalities, including Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton, for $150 on top of the standard licence fee. You apply where you have premises and still need a municipal licence for each premises.
- **Penalties:** operating without a licence is a $500 bylaw notice or a $3,000 municipal ticket. Without a valid Inter-Community licence it is a $500 bylaw notice ($250 if paid within 14 days) or a $1,000 municipal ticket. A court fine under the bylaw is $3,000 to $50,000, and each day is a separate offence.

## What you'll need

- Completed New Business Licence Application
- Parking plan and emergency access items, if required

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licensing page](https://www.revelstoke.ca/2054/Business-Licensing)
- [New Business Licence Guide (PDF)](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8372/Business-Licence-Guide-PDF)
- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503 (PDF)](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 2208 (PDF)](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/108260)

## Related questions

- [Revelstoke home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/home-based-business.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Sicamous](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/business-licence.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/business-licence.md)
- [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/business-licence.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/business-licence.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/business-licence.md)
- [Golden](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licensing, City of Revelstoke](https://www.revelstoke.ca/2054/Business-Licensing) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451 (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053) (read 2026-11-05)
- [New Business Licence Guide (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://www.revelstoke.ca/DocumentCenter/View/8372/Business-Licence-Guide-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, Schedule I (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/145989) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inter-Community Business License Bylaw No. 2208 (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/108260) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Bylaw No. 2370, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/226008/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2082, Schedule 2 (PDF), City of Revelstoke](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/164836) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Revelstoke. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/business-licence/_