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

Do I need a business licence in Whistler, and how do I get one?

Whistler, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in Whistler needs a Resort Municipality business licence, with a separate licence for each premises and class of business. Apply online. It costs $25 to apply, then $190 a year unless the fee schedule lists another amount.

Key facts

Who needs oneAnyone carrying on any business in Whistler, with a separate licence for each premises and each class of business at a premises. Contractors, designers and engineers based outside Whistler who work there need a non-resident licence. Not needed for registered society fundraising, school programs, or garage and yard sales.Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023), s. 3, 5, 6, 10; Building Permit Application Guide | Resort Municipality of Whistler, Section 1, Project contacts · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No person may carry on any business in the Resort Municipality without a valid and
Every person who operates a business at more than one premises must apply for
a garage or yard sale.
A contractor, designer/architect, or engineer based outside of Whistler, but performing work in Whistler, is required to obtain a Non-Resident Business Licence.
Fee$25 for a new application, then an annual fee of $190 unless the schedule lists another amount, up to $2,000 a year. Examples: restaurant without liquor $200, taxi $200, bank $350. $10 to change a licence.Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023), Schedule A; Business Licence Fees, Licence fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
New licence administration fee - $25.00.
Change of licence fee - $10.00.
Annual licence fee is $190.00 unless otherwise set out below, to a maximum annual fee
Restaurant without Liquor Service $200.00
Bank $350.00 Dog Sled or Outdoor Kennel Operators $500.00
The annual licence fee is $190 unless otherwise set out below, to a maximum annual fee of $2,000.00
How to applyApply online (standard, tourist accommodation, food service, commercial and other categories). Zoning must permit the business, and the applicant must have paid all fees and fines. Commercial applications are reviewed by Planning, Building, Fire and Bylaw; some businesses need a health or liquor approval first.Business Licences, top of page; Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023), s. 24(a)-(c); Commercial Business Licences, Application review process · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Business licence applications are submitted online follow the applicable link below, depending on business type.
the zoning of the business premises permits the business activity;
all licence fees, and any outstanding fees or fines owed to the Resort
Planning Department – Zoning
Building Department – BC Building Code regulations
Fire Department – BC Fire Code regulations
RenewalLicences run January 1 to December 31. They renew automatically each year unless you opt out. Invoices go out in November or December; renewal fees are due January 31.Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023), s. 14, 18; Business Licence Fees, Renewals · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Licences issued under this bylaw are valid for the period commencing January 1
and expiring December 31 of each year unless cancelled under this bylaw.
Business licences expires on December 31 each year and renew automatically unless you have opted out during the application process.
Invoices for renewed licences are sent out in November or December each year and are due and payable January 31 each year.
Inter-community licenceNo general inter-community licence. Ride-hailing companies with a provincial Transportation Network Services licence apply for an inter-municipal business licence to operate across Lower Mainland municipalities including Whistler; fee not stated.Vehicles for Hire, Ride-hailing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A Transportation Network Service licence and an inter-municipal business licence are required to operate a ride-hailing, Transportation Network Services business with ride-hailing vehicles.
FineBylaw notice: $500, or $300 if paid early. Municipal ticket: $500. A court can fine up to $10,000 per offence.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019, s. 3; Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005, Schedule B3; Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023), s. 53 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Carry on business without a 3 $300 $500 No
Carry on business without a licence 3 $500
carries on a business without holding a valid licence for that business;
$10,000 for each offence.
BylawBusiness Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019, as amended (Amendment Bylaw No. 2451, 2024 changed tourist accommodation fees)Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023), title; Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw | Resort Municipality of Whistler, Bylaw page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
CONSOLIDATED "BUSINESS LICENCE AND REGULATION BYLAW NO. 2253, 2019"
Business Licence and Regulation Amendment Bylaw (Tourist Accomocation Business Licence Fees) No. 2451, 2024

How it works

Under the Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, anyone carrying on any business in Whistler needs a licence, with a separate one for each premises and each class of business at a premises. Contractors, designers and engineers based outside Whistler who work there need a non-resident licence. No licence is needed for registered society fundraising, school programs, or garage and yard sales.

Steps

  1. Check that zoning permits your business (see zoning-lookup).
  2. Apply online in your category (standard, tourist accommodation, food service, commercial or other). You must have paid all fees and fines.
  3. Commercial applications are reviewed by Planning, Building, Fire and Bylaw. Some businesses need a health or liquor approval first.
  4. Pay the fees. Your licence appears in your MyWhistler account five days after payment.

Good to know

  • Licences run January 1 to December 31 and renew automatically unless you opt out. Invoices go out in November or December; renewal fees are due January 31.
  • Tourist accommodation fees differ between the Municipality's pages and the consolidated bylaw (see short-term-rental).
  • No general inter-community licence exists. Ride-hailing companies with a provincial Transportation Network Services licence apply for an inter-municipal business licence to operate across Lower Mainland municipalities including Whistler; the fee is not stated.
  • Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $500, or $300 if paid early; a municipal ticket is $500; a court can fine up to $10,000 per offence. The Municipality's page says $500 per day.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Pemberton · Anmore · District of North Vancouver · Bowen Island · North Vancouver · Belcarra

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Business Licences, Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Business Licence Fees, Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Commercial Business Licences, Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Vehicles for Hire, Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 2253, 2019 (PDF, consolidated February 8, 2023) (read 2026-11-06)
  6. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  7. Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  8. Building Permit Application Guide | Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
  9. Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw | Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.