Business Licencing

The first step is to ensure the location is within the appropriate zone. You can learn more about zoning by reviewing the Zoning Bylaw [PDF/8.8MB]. If you’re not sure of the zoning you can look up the property address on the GIS Map. If you have questions about licensing, zoning or possible health or building code requirements, our business licensing team can hep you out business@lakecountry.bc.ca

Standard Business:

Animal and pet services 
Artisans, painters, crafters
Automobile dealers, body repair, mechanical repairs and detailing
Banker/credit union/mortgage broker/insurance
Contractors & trades
Farm retail sales
Fitness and recreational sports
Gasoline or fuel service station
Hotel
Information technology & security services
Laundry or drycleaner
Management, administration and/or consulting
Manufacturer
Not for profit
Print and office services
Professionals
Property management company
Public utility company
Real estate or land agent
Recreational entertainment
Retail
School, training, tutoring, music, dance
Temporary business licence
Trailer, mobile home, tent or auto court park or camp
Unclassified
Warehousing (including mini-storage)
Watercraft motorized and non motorized sales, rentals, repair, storage

Standard with IH and/or Provincial approval:

Day nursery, child care centre, baby sitting service, after school care 
Food premises (restaurant, coffee shop, catering, winery/cidery/brewery, food truck)
Health services
Marijuana dispensaries or grow operations
Mobile store  
Personal services (tattoo, piercing, tanning beds, esthetic services, hair salon)
Sand or gravel pit, mining and resource extraction
Taxi, tour, courier, towing service

Short Term Vacation Rental: 
Short term vacation rental, bed & breakfast

*Mobile Vendor
A mobile vendor is defined in Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 as any person who, from a motor vehicle, trailer or cycle, sells or offers for sale food or merchandise, or who advertises or takes orders for goods or services. Mobile vendors require a permit to operate in Lake Country. If you are interested in applying for a Mobile vendor licence please contact business@lakecountry.bc.ca

If you're just getting started, visit the BC Registries and Online Services to register your business and obtain B.C. business numbers. There, you can apply for and complete registrations for new or existing businesses with local, provincial and federal governments.

Another free resource is BizPal online service, which determines which permits and licences are required from all levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal).

Will you be doing any renovations to the building? If yes, you may require a building permit.

Will you be adding a new sign? If so, you may require a sign permit [PDF/267KB]. Signs mounted to the building exterior require professional installation and permits.

Your business may also require other permits or licences that are not regulated by District of Lake Country, such as liquor licences and health licences through Interior Health. Interior Health Authority approval will be required for businesses operating as daycares, food retail or personal services (i.e. tattoo shops, tanning salons, hair salons, therapists, etc.)

• Businesses can apply for an Inter-Community Business Licence (exceptions being Mobile Food Vendors, Taxi and Car services, Boat Rentals and Body Rub services.) Inter-Community Business Licence allows mobile businesses to serve clients in 21 communities throughout the Okanagan.  
• If applying for a home-based business licence, review the checklist [PDF/102KB], sign and attach to the business licence application.  
• When the Lake Country application is received, a $30 non-refundable application fee will be required. 
• The business licence team will review the application to determine if a building inspection is required. If one is required, the applicant will be contacted to arrange a date and time for the inspection.  
• If the licence is approved, the applicant will receive an invoice for the annual business licence fee [PDF/178KB]. 
• If the licence is declined, the applicant will receive communication as to why a business licence cannot be issued.
• When payment is received, a business licence will be generated and sent to the applicant. 

If you are thinking of starting a STVR, or you already have one, check the definition of a STVR in the District's Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 [PDF/8.8MB]. Also, check to see if STVR's are allowed based on the zoning for your property.

On May 1st, 2024 B.C.'s Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act will legislate short term vacation rentals throughout B.C. The District of Lake Country's Zoning Bylaw is already aligned with Accommodations Act and do not foresee required changes to the bylaw.  

To qualify to operate a STVR within the District of Lake Country, the following must apply:

• Accommodations must be within a STVR zone (zoning map, zoning bylaw [PDF/8.8MB]). 
• Accommodations must be occupied by the principal resident for the majority of the year.  
• Accommodations for the STVR must be located within the primary residence and not in an accessory suite separate from the home (examples include: trailer, motorhome, camper, garage, cabana, or shop). 
• There are not more than four (4) sleeping units rented out at the same time.
• There is parking for all guests on the property (guests’ vehicles are not permitted to park on the street).
• All garbage and recycling is contained to the property and properly disposed.
• Homeowner must have the proper insurance for the STVR.  

• All STVR's must have a valid District of Lake Country Business Licence [PDF/2.4MB]. 

  Prior to Applying for a STVR, ensure you have reviewed the following:
  
  Emergency Evacuation Plan (Sample) - must be posted where guest can reference quickly.
   

When applications are received common problems include:

• Zoning does not allow for the property to have a STVR.
• Home is not the owner’s primary residence. 

Prior to issuing a business licence for a STVR in Lake Country, an inspector will visit your home for an inspection of the rental space. Below are common problems inspectors are noting that will result in a delay or denial of a licence:

• Egresses in sleeping units may not meet BC Building Code requirements.
• Appropriate permits for renovations completed in the rental space (plumbing) are not on file.
• Smoke detectors in sleeping units are either not installed or not functional.
• Smoke detectors and carbon dioxide detectors in the hallway outside of each sleeping unit are either not installed or not functional.
• Fire extinguisher is not placed in a visible area on all levels of the rental space.
• Emergency Evacuation Plan and instructions to call 911 in the event of an emergency is not posted.

Helpful links

Short Term Vacation Rentals - Province of BC Guidelines  

Province provides clarity for short-term rentals 

• Once the application is submitted you will be required to pay a $100 non-refundable application fee (this is why it's important to make sure you have met all the requirements prior to applying).
• Once the application fee has been paid your application will be reviewed and arrangements will be made for an inspection of the rental space.
• If the inspection is successful, an invoice for an annual business licence will be sent to the homeowner.
• If the inspector is not satisfied with the inspection (due to multiple items on the checklist not being completed or non permitted renovations being part of the rental space) the application will be denied and closed. 
• Once the annual business licence fee is paid a business licence will be issued.

Anyone operating a short-term rental in B.C. and listing on a platform, which may include, for example, Airbnb, VRBO, or Booking.com, is required to register. This includes hosts operating outside areas with the principal residence requirement.  

Hosts, platforms, and strata hotel platforms operating in B.C. must follow a simple online process to register with the Province by May 1, 2025. All applicants are encouraged to register early to ensure that their application can be processed before May 1, 2025. This will help to avoid disruptions to short-term rental operations.

Find out more: Short-term rental registration - Province of British Columbia

Business licence fees vary (fee schedule). You can pay:

• Online at MyPayments: a secure, online service that allows business licence payments by credit card. 
• In person at Municipal Hall located at 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road. Payment can be made with cash, debit or credit card. 
• Online banking through your financial institution. Payee is 'Lake Country business licences' do not use other accounts listed. Note some issues exist with RBC online banking services. You must include the account number found on the business licence invoice. If additional digits are requested, add leading zeros. Allow 2-3 business days processing time to ensure payment is received by the District by the payment date. 
• Cheque: please make payment to District of Lake Country and include the bottom portion of the business licence invoice. Payments sent by mail must be received by the due date.