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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Every business carried on in the District of Tumbler Ridge needs a licence, including online businesses run from a location in the District. Most categories are $150 a year. Apply online or with the downloadable form to Corporate Services at Town Hall.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Tumbler Ridge, https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca)  
**Cost:** Most categories $150 a year; manufacturing, warehousing, transportation and resources $200; home occupations $50; non-resident $100; event, temporary and mobile vendor $50.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- In person: Town Hall, 305 Iles Way, Tumbler Ridge, BC V0C 2W0 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Town Hall, 250-242-4242
- Email: Corporate Services, corporate@dtr.ca

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Every business carried on in the District, whether or not it operates from a premises in the District, including online businesses run from a location in the District and anyone canvassing or vending on District streets. Registered charities and non-profits pay no licence fee. Door-to-door sales are prohibited.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 757, 2025, Business Licence Bylaw s. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 12.3](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3487/)
  - Official wording: "A business licence is required for all businesses carried on within the District, whether or" … "Businesses conducting sales or providing services online or through other electronic means" … "No person shall engagein door-to-door solicitation" … "Registered charitable societies and non-profit organizations are exempt from payment of"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "A business licence is required for every business carried on in the District of Tumbler Ridge"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** Most categories $150 a year (accommodation, automotive, childcare/health, contractors, cultural, food and liquor, general services, sales); manufacturing, warehousing, transportation and resources $200; home occupations $50; non-resident $100; event, temporary and mobile vendor $50. A 50% discount applies to regular, home occupation, short-term rental and non-resident licences issued after July 31.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 623 consolidation, December 2025, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 623, Schedule F](https://tumblerridgedist.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Bylaw%20623%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw%20Consolidation%20-%20December%202025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Sales Businesses $150.00" … "Manufacturing, Warehousing, Transportation & Resources $200.00" … "Non-Resident Business* $100.00" … "Mobile Vendor $50.00" … "A 50% discount shall apply to Business Licence fees for Regular Business, Home Occupation, Short-Term" … "*A 50% discount shall apply to Business Licence fees for Regular Business, Home Occupation, Short-Term" … "Rental, and Non-Resident licences issued after July 31 of each calendar year."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Apply online or with the downloadable application form, to Corporate Services at Town Hall (305 Iles Way; corporate@dtr.ca; 250-242-4242). The Licensing Officer may require an inspection (the fire department contacts you) and can refuse if the business breaks bylaws or the applicant has unpaid fines.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "For business licence applications, renewals, and general inquiries:" … "Email: corporate@dtr.ca" … "If your licence requires an inspection before approval is" … "granted, you will be contacted directly by the fire department." … "Business Licence Application Download the application form for a new business licence"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 757, 2025, s. 6.1, 6.5(c), 8.1](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3487/)
  - Official wording: "be accompanied by the applicable fee as established in the District" … "refuse to issue a licenceif the applicant or property owner has any outstanding bylaw" … "the business complies with all applicable bylaws and regulations;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** Licences run for the calendar year (to December 31) and must be renewed before January 31 each year (not for temporary or event licences). A late fee may apply; a licence not reactivated by March 31 is cancelled and a new application is needed.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 757, 2025, s. 9.1, 9.3, 9.4](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3487/)
  - Official wording: "every licensee must renew their business licence" … "annually by submitting the prescribed renewal fee to the District prior to January 31 of each" … "If the business licence is not reactivated by March 31 of the same year, the licence shall be" … "cancelled without further notice by the District."
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "All regular business licences expire on December 31 of each year and must be renewed annually."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. An Inter-Community Business Licence (Bylaw No. 645, 2017) lets a business that moves from client to client work in all participating communities: Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Hudson's Hope, Taylor, Tumbler Ridge and Pouce Coupe. The fee is $130, in addition to the ordinary business licence fee.
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 645, 2017, Bylaw No. 645, 2017, s. 2, 8](https://districtoftumblerridge.ca/Home/DownloadDocument?docId=f8769151-e50a-4212-8a8f-8593b9d46143)
  - Official wording: "City of Dawson Creek" … "District of Hudson's Hope" … "Village of Pouce Coupe" … "The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is separate and additional to any"
  - Source: [https://tumblerridgedist.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence%20Application%20Form%202026%20-%20fillable.pdf, 2026 Inter-Community Business Licence Application Form](https://tumblerridgedist.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence%20Application%20Form%202026%20-%20fillable.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Inter-Community Business Licence Fee: Paid?" … "$130.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: $150 for carrying on business without a licence. Other tickets include $100 for violating a licence condition and $50 for not displaying the licence.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 759, MTI Amendment Bylaw No. 759, 2026, Schedule 4](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66320/)
  - Official wording: "Carry on Business Without a Licence 4.1 $150.00" … "Violate the Condition of a Business Licence 8.3 $100.00" … "Fail to Display Licence 8.4 $50.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw No. 757, 2025 (in force January 1, 2026; replaces Bylaw No. 644, 2017)
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 757, 2025, s. 1.1 to 1.3](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3487/)
  - Official wording: "District of Tumbler Ridge Business Licence Bylaw" … "Business Licence Bylaw No. 644, 2017, and all amendments thereto, are hereby repealed as" … "This Bylaw shall come into force and take effect on January 1, 2026."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Business Licence Bylaw No. 757](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3487/) requires a licence for every business carried on in the District of Tumbler Ridge, whether or not it has premises here, including online businesses run from a location in the District and anyone canvassing or vending on District streets. Door-to-door sales are prohibited. Registered charities and non-profits pay no licence fee. You need a separate licence for each business and each location. Events with several vendors need an Event Licence, and mobile vendors need a Mobile Vendor Licence.

Fees are in Schedule F of the [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 623](https://tumblerridgedist.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Bylaw%20623%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw%20Consolidation%20-%20December%202025.pdf):

- $150 a year for most categories (accommodation, automotive, childcare and health, contractors, cultural, food and liquor, general services, sales).
- $200 for manufacturing, warehousing, transportation and resources.
- $50 for home occupations, and $50 for event, temporary and mobile vendor licences.
- $100 for non-resident; amendment $25; short-term rental $150.

A 50% discount applies to regular, home occupation, short-term rental and non-resident licences issued after July 31.

## Steps

1. Apply online or with the downloadable form from the District's [business licence page](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/business-licences), to Corporate Services at Town Hall (305 Iles Way; corporate@dtr.ca; 250-242-4242).
2. The Licensing Officer may require an inspection. The fire department contacts you (trfire@dtr.ca, 250-242-3939).
3. Renew each year before January 31. A licence not reactivated by March 31 is cancelled and needs a new application.

## Good to know

- The licence does not authorize use contrary to zoning. The Licensing Officer can refuse if the business breaks bylaws or you have unpaid fines.
- The bylaw says renew before January 31 and the page says licences expire December 31. A late fee may apply, but no amount was found in Schedule F.
- An Inter-Community Business Licence ([Bylaw No. 645](https://districtoftumblerridge.ca/Home/DownloadDocument?docId=f8769151-e50a-4212-8a8f-8593b9d46143)) lets a business that moves from client to client work in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Hudson's Hope, Taylor, Tumbler Ridge and Pouce Coupe. The fee is $130, on top of the ordinary fee. Some business types are excluded.
- Municipal tickets ([Bylaw No. 759](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66320/)): $150 for operating without a licence, $100 for breaking a licence condition, $50 for not displaying the licence.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 757, 2025 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3487/)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 623 consolidation, December 2025 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridgedist.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Bylaw%20623%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw%20Consolidation%20-%20December%202025.pdf)
- [Business Licences, District of Tumbler Ridge](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/business-licences)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 645, 2017 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://districtoftumblerridge.ca/Home/DownloadDocument?docId=f8769151-e50a-4212-8a8f-8593b9d46143)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/business-licence.md)
- [Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/business-licence.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/business-licence.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/business-licence.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/business-licence.md)
- [Taylor](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/taylor/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 757, 2025 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3487/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licences, District of Tumbler Ridge](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/business-licences) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 623 consolidation, December 2025 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridgedist.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Bylaw%20623%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw%20Consolidation%20-%20December%202025.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 759 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66320/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 645, 2017 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://districtoftumblerridge.ca/Home/DownloadDocument?docId=f8769151-e50a-4212-8a8f-8593b9d46143) (read 2026-11-08)
- [https://tumblerridgedist.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence%20Application%20Form%202026%20-%20fillable.pdf](https://tumblerridgedist.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence%20Application%20Form%202026%20-%20fillable.pdf) (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 District of Tumbler Ridge. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/business-licence/_