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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Anyone who owns or operates a business in the City of West Kelowna, including home-based businesses and independent contractors, needs a City business licence. Apply in person at the Business Licence Desk at City Hall; usual processing is two weeks.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of West Kelowna, https://www.westkelownacity.ca)  
**Cost:** Annual fee by tier: $60 basic (home-based businesses without a fire inspection, office subleases); $135 with fire inspection (most commercial and industrial, childcare); $360 with policing (pawn brokers, pubs, cannabis retail); short-term rental $500 plus $250 application. Inter-community add-on $150.  
**How long:** Usually two weeks. Commercial licences take at least four weeks, with referrals to Planning, Building and Fire.  
**Where:**
- In person: Business Licence Desk, City Hall, 3731 Old Okanagan Highway, West Kelowna, BC V4T 0G7 (Pay at application by cash, debit or cheque.)
- Phone: Business Licencing, 778-797-8811
- Email: Business Licencing, business.licence@westkelownacity.ca

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone who owns or operates any business in West Kelowna, including home-based businesses and independent contractors. A person with more than one business needs a separate licence for each. A new application is needed to start a business, move it, or on a change of ownership. Registered societies with no building are exempt.
  - Source: [Business Licences, About Business Licences](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "A business licence is required to own or operate any business within the City of West Kelowna." … "A new application is required to start a new business, move the location of a current business, or if there is a change of ownership for an existing business."
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, s. 2.1, 2.2](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall carry on a business within the City without first:" … "Any person carrying on more than one business shall obtain and pay for a separate Business Licence for each and every business."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 16](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "33 Registered Society (no building) Exempt"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Annual fee by tier: $60 basic (home-based businesses without a fire inspection, office subleases); $135 with fire inspection (most commercial and industrial, childcare); $360 with policing (pawn brokers, pubs, cannabis retail); short-term rental $500 plus $250 application. Prorated 25%, 50% or 75% off after April 1, July 1 or October 1.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licence Fees](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Basic licence: $60 per year." … "Basic, plus fire inspection: $135 per year." … "Basic, plus fire inspection and policing: $360 per year." … "After April 1 reduced by 25 per cent."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 16](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "23 Retail/Wholesale Outlets $135" … "3 Pawn Brokers/Second Hand Dealers $360"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** In person at the Business Licence Desk, City Hall, 3731 Old Okanagan Highway; pay at application by cash, debit or cheque. Usual processing is two weeks; commercial licences take at least four weeks with referrals to Planning, Building and Fire. Building and fire inspections are required (except subleases) and the business must not start until they pass.
  - Source: [Business Licences, About Business Licences; Commercial/Industrial](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "New business licences must be applied for in person through the Business Licence Desk located at City Hall" … "The general processing time for an application is two weeks" … "Due to the potential complexity of these applications, processing time can take a minimum of four weeks." … "A building inspection and fire inspection are required for the licensing processes (with the exception of a sublease)." … "Business operations must not commence until the inspections are deemed satisfactory."
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, s. 2.5](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A license Inspector may grant a business licence when satisfied that the applicant has complied with the requirements of the bylaws of the City"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** The licence year is January 1 to December 31. Licences renew automatically and fees are charged to the account unless cancellation is received before January 31 (email business.licence@westkelownacity.ca). A $25 late fee applies to renewal payments received after January 31.
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, s. 3.1, 3.3](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "licences shall be granted for a one-year period to commence the first day of January and to terminate the thirty-first day of December in each year." … "does not renew and pay for its licence prior to January 31st of each year, a late payment fee will be applied"
  - Source: [Business Licences, General fee information; Cancelling](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)
  - 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 Jan. 31." … "Renewal fees received after Jan. 31 are subject to a late payment fee of $25."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 16](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "31 Late fee for payments received after January 31 $25"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. An add-on to the City licence for businesses working in more than one community: $150 a year ($75 if applied for after August 1). Apply where the business has premises, or at any one participating municipality if it has none. Bylaw 0081 names 18 municipalities, including Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton; the City page lists 21, adding Sicamous, Merritt and the Regional District of Central Okanagan. (Sources differ: The City page lists 16 participating communities and omits Princeton and Revelstoke, which the bylaw includes; bylaw followed. Excluded business types are in Schedule A of Bylaw 0081 (not read). The holder must still follow other municipalities' bylaws (s. 6).)
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 0081, s. 3, 7, 9, 10](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/as1oo1ie/0081-intercommunity-business-licence.pdf)
  - Official wording: "City of Armstrong City of West Kelowna District of Coldstream" … "Town of Princeton City of Revelstoke City of Salmon Arm" … "from the Participating Municipality in which they maintain a Premises." … "The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $150"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Inter-Community Business Licence](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "The yearly inter-community licence fee is $150 and is prorated to $75 for applications received after August 1."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 16](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "15 Exhibitions/Circuses/Carnivals $135 16 Escort Services $360 17 Inter-Municipal $150 $75 (applications made after August 1st)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice (Bylaw 0093 Schedule 5): $500 for carrying on business without a licence (s. 2.1), $100 for no licence for each premises, $50 for not displaying the licence. Municipal ticket (Bylaw 0095 Schedule 5): $1,000 for no licence, $100 per premises, $50 not displayed.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 0093, Schedule 5](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No business license 2.1 $500.00" … "No business license for each premise 2.2 100.00" … "Fail to display business license 2.3 50.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 0095, Schedule 5](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No business license 2.1 $1,000.00" … "No business license for each premise 2.2 100.00" … "Fail to display business license 2.3 50.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of West Kelowna Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, 2010
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, s. 1.1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf)
  - Official wording: "City of West Kelowna Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087, 2010"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw 0087](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf), anyone who owns or operates a business in West Kelowna needs a licence. A person with more than one business needs a separate licence for each. A new application is needed to start a business, move it, or on a change of ownership. Registered societies with no building are exempt.

## Steps

1. Check the zone on WestMap first; the business must comply with the Zoning Bylaw.
2. Apply in person at the Business Licence Desk at City Hall and pay by cash, debit or cheque.
3. Building and fire inspections are required (except subleases). The business must not start until they pass.

## Good to know

- The licence year is January 1 to December 31. Licences renew automatically and fees are charged to your account unless the City receives a cancellation before January 31 (email business.licence@westkelownacity.ca). A $25 late fee applies to renewal payments received after January 31.
- The fee is prorated, 25%, 50% or 75% off, after April 1, July 1 or October 1.
- Inter-community licence: a $150 a year add-on ($75 if applied for after August 1) for businesses working in more than one community. Apply where the business has premises, or at any one participating municipality if it has none. [Bylaw 0081](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/as1oo1ie/0081-intercommunity-business-licence.pdf) names 18 municipalities, including Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton; the City page lists 21, adding Sicamous, Merritt and the Regional District of Central Okanagan. Confirm before you rely on it. You must still follow other municipalities' bylaws.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $500 for carrying on business without a licence, $100 for no licence for each premises and $50 for not displaying the licence. A municipal ticket is $1,000, $100 and $50 for the same.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licences page, City of West Kelowna](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/)
- [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw 0087 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 0081 (PDF)](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/as1oo1ie/0081-intercommunity-business-licence.pdf)

## Related questions

- [West Kelowna home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/home-based-business.md)
- [West Kelowna short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/short-term-rental.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/business-licence.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/business-licence.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/business-licence.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/business-licence.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/business-licence.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences, City of West Kelowna](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/building-business-development/business-licences/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 0087 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/faunbatr/b0087-business_licensing_and_regulations.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 0028, Schedule 16 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/cbpflexp/b0028-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 0081 (PDF)](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/as1oo1ie/0081-intercommunity-business-licence.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 0093 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 0095 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.pdf) (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 West Kelowna. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/business-licence/_