Apply for a Business Licence
Looking to do business in Castlegar? Whether it’s relocating, expanding, or starting a new venture, the City of Castlegar is here to help.
Development Services
Obtain a Castlegar Business Licence
The City of Castlegar welcomes you to do business with us. Any person wishing to start, expand, or relocate a business within the City of Castlegar must obtain a business licence.
The issuance of a business licence is dependent on following several City departments regulations. Regulations vary by type of business being conducted. The Zoning Bylaw regulates which business activities are permitted in each zone as well as home-based businesses. The Building Bylaw regulates the type of occupancy permitted in a building.
The city is a member of the West Kootenay Inter-Community Business Licensing program which is directed to those businesses that are mobile and may conduct business within several of our communities. The fee for an intercommunity business licence is $100 and is separate and additional to any municipal business licence fee, which may be required.
Short Term Rentals
As of May 1, 2024 the province’s new short-term rental rules came into effect. The province’s new rules for short-term rentals can be found here
The City of Castlegar has aligned its bylaws and licencing requirements for shot-term rentals to meet the provincial legislation except for the principle residency requirement.
Mobile / Sidewalk Vending
The City of Castlegar encourages the use of the public realm for mobile food and retail vending to activate underutilized City streets and public spaces and create places for creative and social activities.
Business Licence Fire Inspections
The Castlegar Fire Department is dedicated to improving the overall safety of businesses within our community. The City’s Fire Inspection Requirements brochure will assist you with the Fire Department portion of your business licence application. Every business in our community is required to operate with a valid business licence in accordance with the City of Castlegar bylaws, the BC Fire Code, and the Fire Services Act.
Business Licence Renewal
City of Castlegar Business Licence renewal invoices are mailed out at the end of December each year. Payments are due by January 31 of each year.
Pay / Renew Your Business Licence
- Pay By Credit Card – visit https://payment.optionpay.ca/city-of-castlegar/ to pay online
- Pay Online Through Your Bank – login to your online banking, add the City of Castlegar Business Licence as payee (if available), and enter your Business Licence number to make a payment
- Send a Cheque in the Mail – include the bottom portion of your Business Licence invoice and mail to City Hall
- Bring Your Invoice to City Hall – bring your Business Licence invoice to City Hall and pay by cash, cheque or debit