Business licences
Please Note: Due to a high volume of applications and inquiries, processing time is currently 6-8 weeks. Thank you for your patience.
All businesses located and operating in the Central Okanagan Electoral Areas are required to have an RDCO business licence. Our electoral areas are as follows:
- Central Okanagan West Electoral Area
- Central Okanagan East Electoral Area
For properties within municipal boundaries or First Nation lands (City of Kelowna, City of West Kelowna, District of Peachland, District of Lake Country and Westbank First Nation), please contact their office for information on how to apply for a business licence.
The processing time for a new business licence is approximately 6-8 weeks but may vary depending on the application complexity.
- Business licences must be renewed annually and are subject to a $30 late payment penalty if not paid by December 31 of the year.
- It is your responsibility to notify us, if your business ceases operation to cancel your business licence.
- If there are any changes to the name, address or ownership on the licence, please contact our office.
View 2024 Business Licences issued.
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Apply for a Business Licence |
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Please Note: Due to a high volume of applications and inquiries, processing time is currently 6-8 weeks. Thank you for your patience.
Online business licence application
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Business Licence Fees |
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Reference the Licensing and Regulations of Business Bylaw No. 1555 for Schedule A: Business Licence Fees
2025: 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: $110 Short-Term Occupancy Accommodation Business Licence: $260 Cannabis Production Facility Business Licence: $500 |
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Inter-Community Business Licence Program |
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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 include:
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. The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $150 and shall be retained by the Participating Municipality that issues the licence. |
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Bed and Breakfast Accommodation |
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A business licence and building permit are required for operation of 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. The following is required for a bed and breakfast business licence application:
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 at RDCO Building Permits and Inspections. To complete the online building permit application please enter the following:
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. |
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Short Term Occupancy Accommodation |
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Business licences are required for short-term occupancy accommodations (STOA), where the use is explicitly permitted by the RDCO Zoning Bylaw #871 or Joe Rich Rural Land Use Bylaw #1195.
STOA business licence applications require a completed self-evaluation attestation form and a copy of the posted fire safety plan. Note: 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 bulletin |
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Bylaws |
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Licensing and Regulation of Business | Bylaw No. 1555
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