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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. 

Apply for a Business Licence

Please Note: Due to a high volume of applications and inquiries, processing time is currently 6-8 weeks. Thank you for your patience.
  • Online Application: The easiest and most convenient is to submit an online business licence application. Log in or create an account on our online payment portal. Select Business Licence, then click New Business Application. Fill in the required information to submit the online application. Once your business licence application is processed, we will contact you for payment. 

Online business licence application

  • Email Application: Complete the business licence application form and email it to business@rdco.com. 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. 

Business Licence Fees

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

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 include:

  • City of Armstrong
  • City of Enderby
  • District of Coldstream
  • District of Lake Country
  • Village of Lumby
  • City of Kelowna
  • Village of Keremeos
  • City of Merritt
  • 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
  • Regional District of Central Okanagan

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. 

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

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:

  • Business licence application form
  • Owners Authorization form signed by registered owner(s) (if applicable)
  • Self-Evaluation Safety Audit Attestation
  • Fire Safety Plan indicating:
    • The designated guest rooms (max 4 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 at RDCO Building Permits and Inspections. 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 Bulletin

Short Term Occupancy Accommodation

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.

  • Short Term Occupancy Accommodation 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. 

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

Self-Evaluation Safety Audit Attestation

Fire Safety Evacuation Plan - Example

Bylaws

Licensing and Regulation of Business | Bylaw No. 1555

  • 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

Inter-Community Business License | Bylaw No. 1261

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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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