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Business Licences

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  • Business Licence
  • Permits

Contacts

Planning & Development Dept/Development Services

Email Us

Phone: 250-561-7611

Development Services
1100 Patricia Blvd
Prince George, British Columbia
V2L 3V9

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A licence is required to operate a business in Prince George and the City of Prince George Business Licence Bylaw provides detailed information about business licence fees and regulations.
Page Content

Index

  • New Business License Bylaw
  • Business Licence Registration and Renewal
  • Starting a Business
  • Business Licence Fees and Payment Options
  • Questions and Answers
  • Monthly Business Licence Reports


New Business License Bylaw

The City of Prince George is updating the Business License Bylaw. Over the next few months (from approximately November 2019 to March 2020), the City is asking for comments and input on the draft bylaw.

  • Download the draft Business License Bylaw [PDF]


How to Provide Input

  • Stop by the Development Services Open House at City Hall (2nd Floor) on January 16, 2020 and February 13, 2020 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
  • Forward questions and comments to Development Services by phone at 250-561-7611 or by email.

Written comments must be submitted by March 2, 2020 in order to be considered by staff for the next phase of the bylaw review.


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Business Licence Application and Renewal

Business licences ensure the City's municipal land-use regulations, building and fire codes, and other community safety requirements are followed by local businesses. The business licence program also collects important statistics about local business activities to understand trends that impact City policy decisions.

The following items are reviewed in a business licence application:

  • Location where the applicant wishes to conduct the business.
  • Legislation regulating businesses.
  • Building, zoning, health, sanitation, fire code, and criminal codes, when applicable.

All licences expire on December 31 and must be renewed annually.

Renewal notices will be sent out by mail in November of every year. Licence renewals may be paid by mail, telephone, online, or in person at City Hall.


Apply for a Business Licence

Renew a Business Licence


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Starting a Business

  1. Apply for a business license.
  2. Register the Business Name.
    • Download the BC Registry Services Name Request form [PDF]
  3. Select a Business Location.
    • Location selection may be done independently or through a qualified real estate agent.
  4. Identify Zoning and Permitted Uses.
    • Business locations must comply with local zoning and bylaw regulations as well as BC building and fire codes. Before confirming a lease or purchase agreement, ensure the location is suitable. City representatives can assist with ensuring regulatory compliance once a location has been selected.
    • How to check for zoning information using PGMaps
      • Visit the PGMaps webpage
      • Type an address into the search bar PGMap search barand press Enter or tap the magnifying glass find a location.
      • Select the desired address from the list of results.
      • Click the LayersPGMap Layer buttonbutton on the bottom left.
      • Expand the Landuse category by clicking on the expand button.
      • Check the box beside Zoning Bylaw 7850 (Class) and Zoning Bylaw 7850, 2007 and allow the map layers to load.
  5. Check an application's status.
    • Business licence application statuses (and account balances) may be viewed online through the MyCity service (registration is required).

Log into or Register for MyCity


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Business Licence Fees and Payment Options

How much does a licence cost?
Business TypeLicence Fee
Animal Clinic$140
Banks and Financial Institutions$701
Bed and Breakfast$87
Body Rub Parlour or Relaxation Clinic$4,206
Building Rental$140
Building Rental/Civic (Annual)$983
Building or Garden Supplies$280
Bulk Storage or Distribution$421
Car or Truck Rental$421
Car Dealership$1,042
Car Sales or Service$280
Car Storage$140
Cemetery or Crematorium$140
Charitable, Non-Profit or Religious organization$36
Coffee Shop, Café or Deli (less than 30 seats)$214
Commercial Arcade$280
Commercial Auction$280
Commercial Office$140
Commercial Open-Land Recreation$421
Commercial Parking Lot or Parkade$140
Commercial Recreation$280
Commercial Retail (less than 1000 square metres)$280
Commercial Retail-Department Store (greater than 1000 square metres)$561
Commercial Service (floor area less than 100 square metres)$140
Commercial Service (floor area more than 100 square metres)$280
Contractor, General or Logging$421
Contractor or Trade$186
Courier or Delivery Service (per unit)$74
Day Care or Group Homes$64
Direct Sales, Group$280
Direct Sales, Individual$74
Escort Service$4,206
Exhibition$421
Exotic Dance Service$4,206
Farmers Retail$74
Flea or Farmers Market (per year)$421
Gaming Facility$280
Gasoline Service Station       $421
Home Business$140
Home Business General Contractor$421
Home Business Contractor or Trade$186
Home Craft$87
Home Occupation, Special$280
Hotel$701
Industrial Equipment Sales and Service$701 ($280 Industrial Equipment Service only)
Industrial Light Manufacturing and Retail$280
Industrial, Service (floor area less than 100 square metres)$140
Industrial, Service (floor area more than 100 square metres)$280
Industrial, Special Heavy Manufacturing (site area less than 8 hectares)$701
Industrial, Special Heavy Manufacturing (site area more than 8 hectares)$1,403
Liquor Primary Establishment$280
Medical or Dental Office$140
Mobile Home Park$140
Mobile Vendors (per unit)$214
Motel$280
Nursery or Greenhouse$140
Pawn Shop and Second Hand Dealer$627
Personal Care Home$140
Prefabricated, Manufactured Buildings$701
Printing or Publishing$280
Recreational Vehicle Sales and Service$701 ($280 for Recreational Vehicle Service only)
Residential Building Rental$171
Restaurant, Food Primary Establishment   $280
Salvage or Wrecking Yard$354
Scrap Metal Dealer$701
Second Hand Dealer$511
Sidewalk Vendor$74
Studio (Radio or Television)$354
Taxi, Limousine or Shuttle Service (per unit)$74
Transportation Depot$280
Travel Trailer Park$140
Truck or Rail Terminal$280
Truck Repair and Sales$701 ($280 for Truck Repair only)
Vehicle Hire (per unit)$56 (maximum fee of $400)
Vending Machines (per machine)$41 (maximum fee of $268)
Warehousing $280
Wholesale (floor area less than 500 square metres)$280
Wholesale (floor area more than 500 square metres)$561
Payment options

License payments made in person may be done by:

  • Cash
  • Cheque or money order (made payable to the City of Prince George)
  • Debit card
  • Credit card (Visa or MasterCard)
  • Credit card cheques are not accepted.

Applicants who do not submit a business licence application will be sent an invoice for the fee. Business licences will only be processed after licence fee payments have been received.


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Questions and Answers

Can I operate a business from my home?

Yes. Certain types of businesses may operate out of a home, with some restrictions. The City's Zoning Bylaw restricts the type of business activities that are allowed to operate in a residential neighbourhood in order to prevent disturbances to surrounding properties. The bylaw also limits the size of the area used for business purposes and regulates parking and storage impacts. Please contact Development Services for more information.

Development Services
1100 Patricia Boulevard
Prince George, BC V2L 3V9
Canada

Phone: 250-561-7611
Email: devserv@princegeorge.ca

Who should I contact if I need business support?

The City of Prince George Economic Development team supports local businesses and helps them succeed. Adding a business to the City's Business Directory is free with a Prince George business licence.

  • Learn more about the Economic Development division
  • View the City of Prince George's Business Directory


BizPaL

BizPaL is an innovative online service that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to information about business permits, licences, and other Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Municipal requirements to start, operate, and grow a business.

  • Learn more about BizPal
What should I do if I want to stop operating my business?

Businesses that cease operating must inform Development Services Administration in writing, which can be by email. Businesses that do not let the City know will continue to receive renewal notices and may be liable for additional fees.

What happens if I operate a business without a licence?

Businesses operating in the City of Prince George without a valid business licence may be fined up to $200 per day.

What must I do if I move my business to another location?

Businesses that relocate will need to complete and submit a Change of Location/Change of Mailing Address application if its physical location or mailing address associated with the business licence changes. Make sure the "Change of Name / Mailing Address" or "Change in Location" is selected under "Type of Application".

  • Submit a Change of Location/Mailing Address Application
What if I want to change my business type?

A business that changes its purpose to one of the following types must complete and submit a New Business Licence Application form

  • Commercial/Industrial
  • Out of Town Business or Home Business from its existing type under the original licence.
To apply:
  • Submit a new Business Licence Application
What if I want to do exterior or interior renovations for my business?

Any alternations made to a space may require one or more permits.

Please contact Development Services for more information.

What if I want a sign for my business?

The size and type of sign permitted on a property is dependent on the zone of the property and may require a sign permit.

Please contact Development Services for more information regarding signage.

What if there are changes to my business licence?

The City of Prince George must be notified in the event of a change of address, change of name, or change of ownership or if a business has ceased to operate.


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Monthly Business License Reports

Periodical Business Licence Reports
  • 2019-10 (October)
  • 2019-09 (September)
  • 2019-08 (August)
  • 2019-07 (July)
  • 2019-06 (June)
  • 2019-05 (May)
  • 2019-04 (April)
  • 2019-03 (March)
  • 2019-02 (February)
  • 2019-01 (January)
  • 2018-12 (December)
  • 2018-11 (November)
  • 2018-10 (October)
  • 2018-09 (September)
  • 2018-08 (August)
  • 2018-07 (July)
  • 2018-06 (June)
  • 2018-05 (May)
  • 2018-04 (April)
  • 2018-03 (March)
  • 2018-02 (February)
  • 2018-01 (January)
  • 2017-12 (December)
  • 2017-11 (November)
  • 2017-10 (October)
  • 2017-09 (September)
  • 2017-08 (August)
  • 2017-07 (July)
  • 2017-06 (June)
  • 2017-05 (May)
  • 2017-04 (April)
  • 2017-03 (March)
  • 2017-02 (February)
  • 2017-01 (January)


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  • Apply, Register, and Pay
    • Awards and Recognition
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    • Garbage Collection Assistance
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  • City Services
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  • Business and Development
    • Bidding Opportunities
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    • Business Directory
    • Business Licences
    • Downtown Area
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    • Heritage Properties
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    • Starting a Business
  • Things to Do
    • Accessibility
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    • Book a Park or Facility
    • City Events Calendar
    • CN Centre
    • Facilities and Hours of Operation
    • Get Involved
    • Heritage
    • Learn About Prince George
    • View All...
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    • Bylaws
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    • Contact Us
    • Council Elections
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    • Freedom of Information
    • Gifts and Legacies
    • View All...

© 2017 City of Prince George, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9, Canada, Email: 311@princegeorge.ca,Telephone: 250-561-7600 or 311,Fax: 250-561-7724​

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