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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Anyone doing business in the District of Summerland needs a business licence. A standard licence is $125 a year (50% if applied for after July 31). Complete the application form; Development Services, the building official, the Fire Department and, for food or health businesses, Interior Health must approve first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Summerland, https://www.summerland.ca)  
**Cost:** Standard licence $125 a year; home occupations $50 to $175, hotel, motel or campground $200, mobile vendor $100, seasonal $80. Half the fee if applied for after July 31.  
**How long:** Not stated; approvals from several departments are needed first. Licences run January 1 to December 31.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall, 13211 Henry Avenue, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 (Counter services Tuesday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 250-494-6451
- Email: Business licence questions, business@summerland.ca
- Online: Renewal payment (credit card, OptionPay), https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/business-licence-payment-options

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone doing business in Summerland. No person may carry on a business in the District without a valid licence.
  - Source: [Summerland Business Licence, Summerland Business Licence page](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/summerland-business-licence)
  - Official wording: "Anyone doing business in Summerland requires a Summerland Business Licence."
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004, consolidated to February 28, 2022, s. 2](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall carry on a business within the District without holding a valid and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Standard business licence $125 a year. Other classes differ (e.g. home occupation $50 to $175, hotel/motel/campground $200, mobile vendor $100, seasonal $80). Half the fee if applied for after July 31.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule F, Schedule F (Business Licence Fees)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Standard Business License $125" … "Hotels, Motels, and Campgrounds $200" … "if a license is applied for after July 31 of a year, the licence fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Complete the business licence application form. Before the licence is granted the District needs approval from Development Services (zoning), the building official, the Fire Department and, for food or health businesses, Interior Health. The fee is payable before the licence is issued.
  - Source: [Summerland Business Licence, Summerland Business Licence page](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/summerland-business-licence)
  - Official wording: "Before the licence is granted, we will need approval from:" … "Development Services Department (to check zoning and other regulations)"
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Business Licensing page](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy)
  - Official wording: "are payable before the licence is issued."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal notices are mailed in mid-December; pay online by credit card (OptionPay, third-party fees), in person at Municipal Hall or by mailed cheque. Renewals are due January 31; 10% is added on February 1 and another 10% on March 1.
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004, consolidated to February 28, 2022, s. 1](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "to commence on the first day of January to terminate on the 31st day of"
  - Source: [Summerland Business Licence, Summerland Business Licence page](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/summerland-business-licence)
  - Official wording: "Business licence renewals are due on January 31 of each year." … "A 10% penalty will be added to all outstanding accounts on February 1st." … "A further 10% penalty will be added to all outstanding accounts on March 1st."
  - Source: [Business Licence Payment Options](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/business-licence-payment-options)
  - Official wording: "Make a payment Online by Credit Card" … "Please send the bottom portion of your invoice with a cheque to 13211 Henry Ave"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. With a regular Summerland licence you can add an Inter-Community Mobile Business Licence for $150 to work in other participating places, including Armstrong, Coldstream, Kelowna, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Vernon and West Kelowna. It is for mobile businesses that go from client to client.
  - Source: [Summerland Business Licence, Summerland Business Licence page](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/summerland-business-licence)
  - Official wording: "for an additional $150.00 you can also do work in other participating municipalities."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule F](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Hotels, Motels, and Campgrounds $200 Inter-Community Business License 3 $150 + District fee Mobile Vendor $100"
  - Source: [Mobile Business Licence Bylaw 2000-307, consolidated to February 11, 2025, Bylaw 2000-307 s. 3](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2000-307-mobile-business-license-bylaw-cons-to-feb-11-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "means a Business that performs a service within more than one" … "The fee for an Inter-Community Mobile Business Licence is $150.00 and shall be retained by the Participating Municipality that issues the licence." … "City of Penticton"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice for no business licence: $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $300 late). Municipal ticket: $1,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375, Schedule A (Business Licence Bylaw)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business licence 2 $250.00 $200.00 $300.00 Yes"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw 95-030, MTI Bylaw 95-030, Schedule 3](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business licence 2 $1000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licencing Bylaw No. 95-004 (consolidated to February 28, 2022); fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 98-001, Schedule F
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004, consolidated to February 28, 2022, title](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 95-004 Consolidated to February 28, 2022"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001, Schedule F](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE "F" BUSINESS LICENCE FEES Unless otherwise indicated, the Licence Fee is for a Twelve Month Period Commencing" … "2 For licences that are issued for a 12 month period, if a license is applied for after July 31 of a year, the licence fee for that first year shall be pro-rated 50% of the subjected licence fee (s. 4 of Business Licensing Bylaw 95-004). 3 An inter-community licence fee is an additional fee that is charged to allow a business to operate within the" … "THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF SUMMERLAND BYLAW NUMBER 98-001 CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE TO INCLUDE BYLAWS:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf), no one may carry on a business in the District of Summerland without a valid licence. Fees are in Schedule F of the [Fees and Charges Bylaw](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf). Licences run January 1 to December 31.

## Steps

1. Check with Development Services (250-494-1373, devserv@summerland.ca) that your use fits the zoning for the address.
2. Complete the business licence application form. The District needs approval from Development Services (zoning), the building official, the Fire Department and, for food or health businesses, Interior Health.
3. Pay the fee before the licence is issued.
4. Renew each year: renewal notices are mailed in mid-December. Pay online by credit card (OptionPay, which charges third-party fees), in person at Municipal Hall, or by mailed cheque.

## Good to know

- Renewals are due January 31. A 10% penalty is added on February 1 and another 10% on March 1.
- With a regular Summerland licence you can add an Inter-Community Mobile Business Licence for $150 to work in other participating places, for mobile businesses that go from client to client. Under [Bylaw 2000-307](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2000-307-mobile-business-license-bylaw-cons-to-feb-11-2025.pdf), participants include Armstrong, Coldstream, Kelowna, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Vernon and West Kelowna, among others.
- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000. The bylaw also sets a court penalty of up to $500 plus costs.
- Short-term rentals and home occupations have their own fees; see short-term-rental and home-based-business.

## Official forms and pages

- [Summerland Business Licence page](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/summerland-business-licence)
- [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

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

## Sources

- [Summerland Business Licence, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/summerland-business-licence) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licensing, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Payment Options, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/business-economy/business-licencing/business-licence-payment-options) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licencing Bylaw 95-004 (PDF), consolidated to February 28, 2022](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/business-licencing-bylaw-no-95-004---consolidated-to-february-28-2022.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 98-001 (PDF), Schedule F](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/fees-and-charges-no-98-001-consolidated-to-feb-10-20269da7a85cf68d6e33909cff00007e7f94.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Mobile Business Licence Bylaw 2000-307 (PDF), consolidated to February 11, 2025](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/2000-307-mobile-business-license-bylaw-cons-to-feb-11-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2000-375 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/bneb-no-2000-375---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw 95-030 (PDF)](https://www.summerland.ca/docs/default-source/your-city-hall/bylaws---policies/district-bylaws/mti-system-bylaw-95-030---consolidated-to-december-9-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Contact, District of Summerland](https://www.summerland.ca/your-city-hall/contact) (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 District of Summerland. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/business-licence/_