Business licences

Online business licence application

• Online application: The easiest and most convenient is to submit an online business licence application. Log in or create an account on our online system.
  Select Business Licence, then click New Business Application. Fill in the required information to submit the online application. Once your application is processed, we will contact you for payment.
• Email application: Complete the business licence application form and email Business Licences. Once your business licence application is processed, we will contact you for payment.
• In-person application: Visit the Inspections Services department at the RDCO office located at 1450 KLO Road.

See Business Licensing and Regulation | Bylaw No. 1555 for Schedule A: Business Licence Fees.

2026:

Administrative Fees and Charges:

Standard Business Licence Application Fee: $50

Short-Term Occupancy Accommodations Business Licence Application Fee: $100

Cannabis Production Facility Business Licence Application Fee: $1,000

Transfer/Change Fee: $30

Late Penalty Fee: $30 

Annual Business Licence Fees:

Standard Business Licence: $115

Short-Term Occupancy Accommodation Business Licence: $265

Cannabis Production Facility Business Licence: $510

If you operate a business within the Central Okanagan East and/or Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas and also operate in one or more of the participating areas, you may wish to purchase an Inter-Community Business Licence. If so, you must have a RDCO municipal business licence before purchasing an Inter-Community Business Licence, 

An Inter-Community Business Licence covers most communities in the Okanagan-Similkameen corridor and authorizes a business to operate within the boundaries. Municipalities that participate with the RDCO include:

• City of Armstrong
• City of Enderby
• City of Kelowna
• City of Merritt
• City of Penticton
• City of Revelstoke
• City of Vernon
• City of West Kelowna
• District of Coldstream
• District of Lake Country
• District of Peachland
• District of Salmon Arm
• District of Sicamous
• District of Summerland
• Town of Oliver
• Town of Osoyoos
• Town of Princeton
• Township of Spallumcheen
• Village of Lumby
• Village of Keremeos

An Inter-community Business Licence does not exempt you from complying with any special requirements unique to the participating municipalities. You are required to first obtain a business licence in the jurisdiction where your business premise is located.

For example, if you are a contractor and run your business from your home in the Regional District of Central Okanagan, you will need a municipal business licence as it is considered a home-based business. You may then also purchase an inter-community business licence to work in any of the participating municipalities. This eliminates the requirement to purchase licences for every municipality you work in.

The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $150 and shall be retained by the participating municipality that issues the licence. 

A business licence and building permit are required for operation of a bed and breakfast. Fire and safety inspections are required for a new licence and any significant renovations made to support the bed and breakfast operation must meet current building code and be appropriately permitted. 

The following is required for a bed and breakfast business licence application:

• Business licence application form
• Owners Authorization form (if applicable)
• Self-Evaluation Safety Audit Attestation
• Fire Safety Plan indicating:
• The designated guest rooms (maximum four permitted)
• Smoke & carbon monoxide alarms
• Fire extinguisher
• Means of egress
• Fire safety evacuation plan - example
• Building Permit Application for the Change of Use:

A building permit and a site inspection is required for the change of use when applying for a bed and breakfast business licence. Please apply online for the building permit through our Building Permits and Inspections page. To complete the online building permit application please enter the following:

• Permit Type: Other
• Project Purpose: Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
• Submit inspection permit fee: $185
• The building permit application form is required to be completed and submitted

Please find links to the GIS mapping and planning and land use to confirm a bed and breakfast accommodation is a permitted use on a subject property and to review the appropriate regulations. 

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation brochure

Business licences are required for Short-Term Occupancy Accommodations (STOA), where the use is explicitly permitted by the Zoning | Bylaw No. 871 or Joe Rich Rural Land Use | Bylaw No. 1195.

• STOA is permitted in dedicated commercial resort areas such as La Casa, C5, C7, C8, RU7 zones.
• Bed and Breakfast accommodations within the principal dwelling, as permitted within residential zones.
• Agri-Tourist accommodations within the principal dwelling as permitted in agricultural and rural parcels with an active Agri-Tourism farming operation.

STOA business licence applications require a completed self-evaluation attestation form and a copy of the posted fire safety plan. 

A self-evaluation safety audit attestation form is required to be submitted yearly, at time of business licence renewal. Please submit the renewal attestation by the start of the new business year.    

RDCO Inspection Services and/or Fire Services may also require a site inspection for safety compliance.

Short-term Accommodation Uses brochure

Self-Evaluation Safety Audit Attestation

Fire Safety Evacuation Plan - example

Business Licensing and Regulation | Bylaw No. 1555

• Provides licensing and regulation of business within the Regional District of Central Okanagan
• Ensures that the various businesses, which establish and operate in the Regional District Electoral Areas, are doing so in accordance with Regional District bylaws

Inter-Community Business License | Bylaw No. 1261