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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In Slocan every person carrying on a business, trade or occupation needs a Village business licence, with a separate licence for each location. Fees run from $25 a month (mobile food) to $300 (cannabis retail); most are $75 to $100 a year.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Slocan, https://www.slocancity.com)  
**Cost:** Category 1 $100; 2 $75; 3 $100; 4 $25 a month; 5 $100; 6 $300. Half price if liable after June 30 (categories 1, 2, 3, 5).  
**How long:** The Village does not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 503 Slocan Street, PO Box 50, Slocan, BC V0G 2C0 (Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (confirm by phone))
- Phone: Village Office, 250-355-2277

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Every person carrying on any business, trade or occupation in the Village, with a separate licence for each location. Not needed by non-profits or service clubs using revenue solely for charitable purposes.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), ss. 5(a), 3(c)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every person carrying on, maintaining, owning or operating within the Village" … "A separate licence is required for each location where a business operates" … "No licence is required under this bylaw by a non-profit organization"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** Category 1 commercial/industrial $100; 2 home-based $75; 3 B&B or vacation rental $100; 4 mobile food vending $25 a month; 5 miscellaneous (non-resident, temporary, contractors) $100; 6 cannabis retail $300. Licences issued after June 30 (categories 1, 2, 3, 5) cost 50%.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 584, Schedule I](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/584-Fees-and-Charges-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb-18-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Category 1 - Commercial /Industrial" … "Business Licence Category 4 – Mobile Food Vending" … "Business License Category 6 – Cannabis Retail Facility" … "50% of annual fee"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.slocancity.com/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENCE – Category I"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Deliver the signed application form with the fee to the Licence Inspector. The Inspector may require approval of premises by the Health Officer, Building Inspector or Fire Chief; food operators must show Health Inspector approval.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), ss. 6, 4(b)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The application form shall be delivered to the Licence Inspector" … "and shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in the current Village of Slocan Fees and Charges Bylaw." … "shall require all food service"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.slocancity.com/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "- Application -> http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/VOS-Business-License-Application-Form-2.pdf - Application -> http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/VOS-Business-License-Application-Form-3.pdf - Application -> http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mobile-Food-Vendor-Business-License-Application-2022.pdf - Application -> http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Mobile-Misc-Vendor-Business-License-Application-2022.pdf - Mobile Business Licence Program -> https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/small-business/mobile-business-licence-program"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** Licences are annual, for each calendar year; the fee is half if you become liable after June 30. Mobile food licences must be re-applied for each calendar year.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), s. 5(a)(v)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
  - Official wording: "All business licences issued under this bylaw shall be granted as annual" … "licences for each calendar year."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), s. 10(b)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
  - Official wording: "licences must be re-applied for each calendar year."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes: Inter-Community Business Licence, $100 a year on top of the regular licence, for contractors and mobile operators; valid in all participating Kootenay communities.
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 673, s. 3](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/673-CONSOLIDATED-Inter-Community-Business-Licence-Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $100" … "separate and additional to"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.slocancity.com/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "ICBL holders can operate within all participating communities in the Kootenay Region under this one licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** No ticket schedule found. Business Licence Bylaw s. 12(b): minimum fine of $100 and costs on summary conviction; each day is a separate offence.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), s. 12](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
  - Official wording: "minimum fine or penalty of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and costs" … "Every continuing infraction shall be deemed to be a new and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (consolidated to April 11, 2022); fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 584, Schedule I.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), title](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Village of Slocan Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018."
  - Source: [Bylaws, Bylaws page](https://www.slocancity.com/bylaws/)
  - Official wording: "#662 – BUSINESS LICENSE BYLAW 2018, CONSOLIDATED – UPDATED APRIL 11, 2022"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Under the Village of Slocan [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf), every person carrying on any business, trade or occupation in the Village needs a licence, with a separate licence for each location. Non-profits and service clubs using revenue solely for charitable purposes do not. Some non-resident businesses, such as commercial travellers selling to merchants, are exempt. Licences run for the calendar year; the fee is half if you become liable after June 30.

## Steps

1. Pick your category on the Village's Business Licences page and get its form.
2. Deliver the signed form with the fee to the Licence Inspector at the Village Office.
3. The Inspector may require approval of the premises by the Health Officer, Building Inspector or Fire Chief. Food operators must show Health Inspector approval.

## Good to know

- Fees (Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 584, Schedule I): Category 1 commercial or industrial $100; 2 home-based $75; 3 bed and breakfast or vacation rental $100; 4 mobile food vending $25 a month; 5 miscellaneous (non-resident, temporary, contractors) $100; 6 cannabis retail $300. Transfer fee is 25% of the annual fee.
- Mobile food licences must be re-applied for each calendar year, and need Interior Health approval, FoodSafe and insurance.
- Contractors and mobile operators can buy an Inter-Community Business Licence, $100 a year on top of the regular licence, valid in participating Kootenay communities ([Bylaw 673](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/673-CONSOLIDATED-Inter-Community-Business-Licence-Bylaw.pdf)).
- No ticket schedule was found. The bylaw sets a minimum fine of $100 and costs on summary conviction, with each day a separate offence.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licences, Village of Slocan](https://www.slocancity.com/business-licences/)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662 (PDF)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 673 (PDF)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/673-CONSOLIDATED-Inter-Community-Business-Licence-Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Silverton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/business-licence.md)
- [New Denver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/business-licence.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/business-licence.md)
- [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/business-licence.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/business-licence.md)
- [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 584, Schedule I (PDF)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/584-Fees-and-Charges-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb-18-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licences, Village of Slocan](https://www.slocancity.com/business-licences/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 673 (PDF)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/673-CONSOLIDATED-Inter-Community-Business-Licence-Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaws](https://www.slocancity.com/bylaws/) (read 2026-11-08)

_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 Village of Slocan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/business-licence/_