Business licences
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 (Westside Road, Killiney Beach, Westshore Estates, etc.)
- Central Okanagan East Electoral Area (Joe Rich, Ellison, South end of Lakeshore Rd, etc.)
For properties within municipality boundaries (City of Kelowna, City of West Kelowna, District of Peachland and District of Lake Country), please contact the relevant municipality for information on how to apply for a business licence.
To submit an RDCO business licence application you will need the following:
- 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 31 of the year. It is your responsibility to notify us, if your business ceases operation to cancel your business licence. Any name, address or ownership changes may also be made by contacting us.
View 2023 businesses licences.
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Apply for a Business Licence |
Online business licence application
Please Note: Due to a high volume of applications and inquiries, processing time is currently 6-8 weeks. |
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Short Term Occupancy Accommodation |
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Business licences are required for short-term occupancy accommodations, 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 and a copy of the posted fire safety plan. RDCO Inspection Services and/or Fire Services may also require a site inspection for safety compliance.
Short-term Accommodation Uses bulletin Self-Evaluation Safety Audit Attestation Fire Safety Evacuation Plan - Example
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Bed and Breakfast Accommodation |
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A business licence is required from any person operating a bed and breakfast. Fire & Safety Inspections are required 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. |
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Annual fees |
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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 |
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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:
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. |
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Bylaws |
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Business Licensing and Regulations Bylaw No. 689
Inter-Community Business License Bylaw No. 1261 |