Business Licensing

• Business owners must renew their licence with the District prior to December 31^st each year for the following calendar year. Businesses operating in the District without a valid licence may be subject to Bylaw Enforcement action.
• Be sure to add the Inter-Community Business Licence (ICBL) to your licence if you do business in other communities as well. (Note: some types of businesses do not qualify for an ICBL - these include, but are not limited to: taxi/car services, mobile vendors, boat rentals, etc.)
• A non-refundable application fee is required to process applications. If the application is approved, the licence fee will be waived for the first calendar year of operations (section 4.15 of the Business Licence Bylaw and Schedule 4 of the Development Application & Licence Fees Bylaw).
• Licences may be subject to Terms and Conditions which must be adhered to in order to maintain a valid licence to operate within the District (section 4.11).
• If you need to do renovations in your home to accommodate your business, you may need to obtain a building permit. 

A Municipal Business Licence allows the Licencee to operate a business - commercial, industrial, or home based - within the boundaries of the District of Peachland. This is an Annual Licence and is valid from January 1^st until December 31^st of the year it is issued. The cost of the Licence is $112 for the calendar year. For businesses applying for a new Licence after July 1^st the cost will be $56. There is no monthly prorating offered for this Licence.

An ICBL allows you to do business in participating communities in the Okanagan-Similkameen region. The principal municipality is the community in which the business is located whether operating from a shop, office, or home.  Mobile businesses can include contractors of all types (i.e. trades people, landscaping services, janitorial services, pest control, etc.), massage therapists, mechanics, photographers, hairdressers, etc. that visit clients outside of Peachland.  

Who is Eligible for an Inter-Community Business Licence?

The following types of businesses are not eligible for an ICBL and must obtain a business licence from each municipality in which they intend to operate: 

• escort agencies, 

• body rub services

• vehicles for hire, such as taxis, limousines, and buses. 

• businesses selling goods or services from a fixed or semi-fixed location, such as fruit stand/truck, mobile stores (i.e. food trucks), 

• flea markets, 

• horse drawn carriage rides, 

• carnivals

• concession stand 

• trade shows 

Where is an Inter-Community Business Licence Valid?

There are 21 participating communities within the Okanagan-Similkameen region:

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

Other Provisions of the Inter-Community Business Licence

• Businesses that are not mobile businesses, or are not eligible for an ICBL, must obtain a Municipal Business Licence in each Municipality in which they do business, operate, or provide services.
• A business that is eligible for an ICBL must still obtain and maintain a Municipal Business Licence from the Municipality in which their business is located (e.g., home, office, or storefront).
• An eligible non-resident business, or a business that does not have a business location in any of the participating Municipalities, may obtain a Municipal Business Licence from any one of the participating Municipalities and may then apply for an ICBL at the Municipality where their Municipal Business Licence is issued.
• An ICBL is valid for the same term as the Municipal Business Licence from the issuing Municipality.
• A business holding an ICBL must comply with all of the Bylaws and Regulations of each Municipality in which they choose to operate.

Fees

The cost of the ICBL is $150 annually in addition to the cost of the Municipal Business Licence. There is no prorating of the fees for the ICBL.

A Seasonal Business Licence is for businesses that only intend to operate six (6) months or less in a calendar year. The cost for this Licence is $56.

A Suite Licence is required for individuals who have a legally registered Garden or Secondary suite. This is an Annual Licence and is valid from January 1^st until December 31^st of the year it is issued. The cost for this Licence is $56. There is no prorating of the fee for a Suite Licence. For more information on suites, visit the Secondary & Garden Suites webpage.

There are four (4) categories of Cannabis Business Licences. A licence is required for:

• anyone wanting to operate a non-medicinal retail store: cost - $250,
• anyone involved with the cultivation or processing of cannabis (micro): cost - $250,
• anyone involved with the cultivation or processing of cannabis (standard): cost - $500, or
• anyone involved with the cultivation or processing of cannabis on non-residental lands under a ACMPR licence: cost - $112.

These are Annual Licences and are valid from January 1^st until December 31^st of the year it is issued. 

An Outdoor Vending Business Licence is required for businesses that operate a vehicle, structure, or mobile apparatus occupying public space that is used to sell retail products, food, or beverages, or to provide services for commercial sale or rental by a business entity to passers-by. There are a limited number of vending locations available. Anyone interested in operating an outdoor vending business needs to apply to the District for approval. The cost for this Licence is $56 with the additional requirement of an Encroachment Agreement ($400/month or part thereof) and a damage deposit of $500.

For more information visit the Outdoor Vending & Food Trucks webpage.

This category includes:

• Theatre
• Concert
• Beer Garden
• Concession
• Flea Market
• Film Production

These Licences are for events held in the District of Peachland. The cost is $50 per day of operation.

Non-profit organizations are required to register for a business licence for the nominal fee of $1. A Non-Profit Society is a registered charitable society that is incorporated and in good standing under the Societies Act and is registered under the Income Tax Act and qualified to issue tax receipts to donors. Licences are valid from January 1^st until December 31^st of the year it is issued.

• Business Licence Bylaw No. 2274
• Zoning Bylaw No. 2400
• Building Bylaw No. 2273
• Sign Bylaw No. 2158
• Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1857

Interior Health also has requirements for certain types of businesses, like food and personal services, that are independent from Peachland's requirements. Please check their website for more details, and to see if you need to reach out to them as well. 

• Interior Health - Information for Businesses

The LCRB (Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch) has requirements relating to these types of services that must be approved by the Province before getting a municipal business licence.

• Liquor & Cannabis Licence Information