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Business licences

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Business and land use

Business Licences

General Information

All businesses located and operating in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas are required to have a municipal business licence. As follows:

  • Central Okanagan West Electoral Area (Westside Road, Killiney Beach, Westshore Estates, etc.)
  • Central Okanagan East Electoral Area (Joe Rich, Ellison, South end of Lakeshore Rd, etc.)

For properties within local municipality boundaries (City of Kelowna, City of West Kelowna, District of Peachland and District of Lake Country) please contact their office directly for information on how to apply for a business licence. 

To view the current 2023 RDCO issued business licences, click here 

To submit a business licence application you will need the following information:

  • Business licence application form
  • Owners Authorization (if applicable)
  • Licence fees are due once the application has been received. We will contact you for payment. 

The processing time for a new business licence is approximately 4-8 weeks but may vary due to the complexity of applications.

Business licences must be renewed annually and are subject to a $25 late payment penalty if not paid by December 31st of the year. 

Please note: It is your responsibility to notify the RDCO Business Licencing department, if your business ceases operation and to cancel your business licence. Any name, address or ownership changes may also be made by contacting the office. 

If you have questions, please contact business@rdco.com or 250-469-6211. 

Apply for a Business Licence

  • Online Application: The easiest and most convenient is to submit an online business licence application. Log into your existing account on the Pay bills online page on the RDCO website. If you do not have an account, please register a new account. Select Business Licence, then click New Business Application. Fill in the required information to submit the online application. Note: once received, we will contact you for payment of the business licence application. 

Online business licence application

  • Email Application: Fill out the business licence application form and email it to business@rdco.com. Note: once received, we will contact you for payment of the business licence application. 
  • Or, visit the Inspections Services department at the RDCO office located at 1450 KLO Road on the 2nd Floor. The hours of operation are from 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.

 If you have questions, please contact business@rdco.com or 250-469-6211.

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

A business licence is required from any person operating a bed and breakfast. Fire & 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. Operators are required to provide a fire & safety plan as a part of their
business licence application.

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

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation Bulletin

Annual fees

Full year:   January 1 – December 31

Municipal (RDCO) - $85.00

Inter-Community (Municipal required) - $235.00 ($85.00+$150.00)

Inter-Community (If Municipal already paid) - $150.00

Late fee (Applicable to renewals not paid before Jan 1st) $25.00

 

Half year:   July 1 – December 31 (New businesses only)

Municipal (RDCO) - $42.50

Inter-Community (Municipal required)  - $117.50 ($75.00+$42.50)

Inter-Community (If Municipal already paid) - $75.00

 

Transfer fee (change of address or ownership): $25.00

Inter-community business licence program

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 first before purchasing an inter-community business licence, covering most communities in the Okanagan-Similkameen corridor. 

Participating municipalities:

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

An "inter-community business licence" means a business licence authorizes business to be carried on within the boundaries of any or all of the participating municipalities listed above in accordance with this bylaw.

If your business falls within the definition of an inter-community business you have the opportunity to apply for an inter-community business licence. This however, does not exempt you from complying with any special requirements unique to the participating municipalities. You are also 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.

Bylaws

Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 689

  • Provides licensing and regulation of business within the Regional District of Central Okanagan
  • It ensures that the various businesses, which establish and operate in the Regional District Electoral Areas, are doing so in accordance with Regional District bylaws
  • Licensing and Regulation of Business | Bylaw No. 689 

Inter-Community Business License Bylaw No. 1261

  • Read Business Licence Bylaw No. 1261
  • Business licences
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Regional District of Central Okanagan

1450 KLO Road
Kelowna, BC, V1W 3Z4
Phone: 250-763-4918
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The RDCO acknowledges our presence on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx / Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial. We recognize, honour, and respect the syilx / Okanagan lands upon which we live, work, and play.

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