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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. The City of Vernon requires a business licence to carry on a business, with a separate licence for each business and premises. You pay a $100 application fee plus a yearly fee set by floor area, from $115. Apply online or at the Community Services Building.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Vernon, https://www.vernon.ca)  
**Cost:** $100 application fee, plus a yearly fee by floor area: $115 (0 to 100 m²), $135 (101 to 300), $275 (301 to 600), $350 (601 to 2,500), $800 (over 2,500). Contractors $125, non-resident $125, home occupation $90. Halved if liable after July 1. Non-profit societies pay $1 a year.  
**How long:** The sources do not state a processing time. Licences run January 1 to December 31.  
**Where:**
- Online: Apply or pay online (City of Vernon Business Licences & Permits page), https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits
- In person: Community Services Building (business licensing), 3001 32 Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 2L8 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; bring completed forms.)
- Phone: Business Licensing, 250-550-3634
- Email: Business Licensing, buslicence@vernon.ca

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone who carries on a business in Vernon, as owner or operator; a separate licence is needed for each business and each premises. Non-resident businesses need an inter-community or non-resident licence. Non-profit societies need one but pay $1 a year. Exempt: concerts, arts-and-crafts shows, home-and-trade shows, farmers' markets.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 4.1, 4.3](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no Person will carry on, maintain, own," … "each Business is a separate Business for licencing purposes"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 4.5, 4.7](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a performance or concert;" … "an arts-and-crafts show;" … "to pay a nominal Licence Fee of $1.00 per year."
  - Source: [Business Licences & Permits, Business Licence Information & Application](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits)
  - Official wording: "A Business Licence is required to operate a business in Vernon."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Yearly fee for a resident business is set by floor area: $115 (0 to 100 m²), $135 (101 to 300), $275 (301 to 600), $350 (601 to 2,500), $800 (over 2,500). Plus a $100 application fee. Other rates: contractors $125, non-resident $125, home occupation $90. Fee is halved if liable after July 1.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated, Schedule A, s. 14](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "RB1 - Resident Business (0 -100 sq meters) $ 115 per year" … "RB2 - Resident Business (101- 300 sq meters) $ 135 per year" … "RB3 - Resident Business (301- 600 sq meters) $ 275 per year" … "RB4 - Resident Business (601- 2500 sq meters) $ 350 per year" … "RB5 - Resident Business (over 2500 sq meters) $ 800 per year" … "Application Fee - Resident Business $ 100 per application" … "CON - Contractors - Resident or Non Resident $ 125 per year"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 4.15-4.17](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "pay to the City the applicable Application Fee." … "The Licence Fee will be reduced by 50% in respect to a Business that becomes"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Apply online through the City's business licence portal, or in person at the Planning & Community Services building, 3001 32 Ave., with forms complete. The application fee is paid when applying and the licence fee on approval. Staff check zoning and parking; Fire, Building or Environmental Health approvals may be needed.
  - Source: [Business Licences & Permits](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits)
  - Official wording: "APPLY FOR A Business Licence online" … "Staff will verify if the Zoning District in which the property is situated will allow the particular business type" … "approvals from the Fire Inspector, Building Inspector or the Environmental Health Officer may be necessary"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 4.9, 4.15-4.16](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the Applicant does not have any expired or incomplete building permits in" … "pay to the City the applicable Application Fee." … "pay to the City the applicable Licence Fee."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31 and are renewed yearly by paying the fee. Unpaid by March 1, the licence is cancelled and a new application and fee are needed. The City's page says licences renew automatically unless cancelled in writing before January 31 (buslicence@vernon.ca).
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 4.19-4.20](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "All Business Licences will have a Licence Period of one-year, commencing on the" … "1st day of January and terminating on the 31st day of December in each and every" … "the Licence Period for a Seasonal Business is six (6) months."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 4.23](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "If the Licence Fee is not paid by March 1 of the" … "Licence will be deemed cancelled."
  - Source: [Short-Term Rental Regulations, Cancelling a Business Licence](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/short-term-rental-regulations)
  - Official wording: "Business licences are set to renew automatically, and fees are applied to the accounts, unless a notification of cancellation has been received before January 31."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. A business that serves clients by moving from client to client pays its home-community licence fee plus $150 to work in the other participating places: Armstrong, Coldstream, Central Okanagan Regional District, Enderby, Kelowna, Keremeos, Lake Country, Lumby, Oliver, Osoyoos, Peachland, Penticton, Princeton, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Spallumcheen, Summerland and West Kelowna.
  - Source: [Inter-Community Licence](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/inter-community-licence)
  - Official wording: "The City of Vernon, along with Armstrong, Coldstream, Central Okanagan Regional District, Enderby, Kelowna, Keremeos, Lake Country, Lumby, Oliver, Osoyoos, Peachland, Penticton, Princeton, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Spallumcheen, Summerland and The District of West Kelowna" … "an additional licensing fee of $150 to allow access to all other participating municipalities."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 3.3 definition](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "means a business licence issued by a participating"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice (Bylaw 6048): $300 ($250 if paid within 14 days; $325 late). Municipal ticket (Bylaw 6049): $3,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048, Schedule A, Bylaw 6100 s. 4.1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence $300.00 $250.00 $325.00 YES"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049, Schedule B, Bylaw 6100 s. 4.1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence $3000.00 $3000.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw 6100, 2025
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 6100, s. 1.1](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw 6100, 2025"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Business Licence Bylaw 6100](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf) (adopted July 15, 2025), anyone who carries on a business in Vernon, as owner or operator, needs a licence. A separate licence is needed for each business and each premises. Non-resident businesses need an inter-community or non-resident licence. Concerts, arts-and-crafts shows, home-and-trade shows and farmers' markets are exempt. The City's page gives garage or yard sales and farms with no retail sales on site as examples that may not need one.

## Steps

1. Apply online through the City's business licence portal, or in person at 3001 32 Avenue with your forms complete. Staff check zoning and parking.
2. Pay the application fee when you apply and the licence fee on approval.
3. Fire, Building or Environmental Health approval may be needed. The City says these inspections cost nothing when tied to a licence application.
4. The licence is issued once the Licence Inspector is satisfied you meet City bylaws and provincial and federal law, have paid, owe no fees or fines, and have no expired building permits and an occupancy permit for the premises.

## Good to know

- Licences run January 1 to December 31 and are renewed yearly by paying the fee. If it is unpaid by March 1, the licence is cancelled and you need a new application and fee. The City's short-term rental page says licences renew automatically unless cancelled in writing before January 31 (buslicence@vernon.ca); confirm whether that applies to yours.
- Fees are not refundable.
- Inter-community licence: if you work by moving from client to client, you pay your home-community licence fee plus $150 to work in the other participating places (Armstrong, Coldstream, Central Okanagan Regional District, Enderby, Kelowna, Keremeos, Lake Country, Lumby, Oliver, Osoyoos, Peachland, Penticton, Princeton, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Spallumcheen, Summerland and West Kelowna). Not eligible: social escort services, vehicles for hire, body-rub services, and businesses selling from a fixed location.
- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $300 ($250 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $3,000. On conviction the bylaw allows a fine up to $50,000.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licences & Permits (City of Vernon)](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 6100 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/business-licence.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/business-licence.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/business-licence.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/business-licence.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/business-licence.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences & Permits, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 6100 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/6100%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3909, consolidated (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/fees_and_charges_bylaw_3909_consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 6048 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%206048.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 6049 (PDF)](https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/bylaws/Municipal%20Ticketing%20Information%20Bylaw%206049.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Short-Term Rental Regulations, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/short-term-rental-regulations) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inter-Community Licence, City of Vernon](https://www.vernon.ca/business/business-licences-permits/inter-community-licence) (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 Vernon. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/business-licence/_