Business Licensing & Permits
Businesses operating within the City of Cranbrook, including those based within the City but conducting business primarily outside of the City, are required to have a valid business license.
Business licenses allow the City to regulate business activity in the interest of promoting compliance with the minimum standards established by the City's bylaws as well as the applicable provincial and federal regulations that govern the business activity where required.
These standards are primarily designed to provide measures of safety, consumer protection and general order within the community.
City residents and business owners are encouraged to request proof of a valid license from businesses they are considering for provision of services.
If you have additional questions, please contact City Hall at (250) 426-4211 or toll free at 1-800-728-2726.
Business License Applications click here: Business licence application
All businesses should use this form , including home based and non-home based businesses.
Applications to change to an existing business license , (ie. change of address, owner, etc.) can be found here: Notification to change business license
A complete application should include the specific business information, the owners contact information, any other additional information and the date and signature of the business owner or their assigned agent.
Once completed, applications may be dropped off or mailed to City Hall at:
40 – 10th Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC V1C2M8 or faxed to: (250) 426-4026
Processing / Approvals
Please allow approximately 2 weeks for processing of business license applications.
In considering approval of a business license application, the City reviews the minimum standards established within the City's bylaws as well as the applicable Provincial and Federal regulations that govern the business activity.
Most often this involves reviewing zoning (permitted land use) for the proposed location, review of building bylaw requirements, and inspections from the Building and Fire departments to determine that minimum safety requirements are met at the time of the inspection.
In order to prepare for these inspections, it is recommended that applicants confirm zoning requirements, obtain permits where required for renovations, construction or development, and determine any requirements for fire protection.
In addition, approvals may be necessary from other external agencies. Examples include but are not limited to:
Interior Health – Food service, tattooing, daycares, care facilities, etc.
Liquor Control & Licensing – Liquor sales and service, etc.
In these situations, while the City will require confirmation of approvals, it is the responsibility of the applicant to contact and meet the requirements of the particular agency.
Business License Fees
Effective January 1 st , 2007, the City of Cranbrook business license fees are as follows:
Annual Business License $150
Most businesses fall within this category with the exception of seasonal or temporary licenses issued at the discretion of the License Inspector.
New annual business license applications are entitled to a prorated discount depending on when the business starts within the year; however, new applications are not entitled to the prompt payment discount.
Renewals of annual business licenses are provided a $25 discount if the renewal fee is paid prior to February 28 th of the year of issue.
Seasonal Business License $ 75
Seasonal Licenses are issued for a business activity, that by it's very nature, is operated for only part of the year and only for a period of up to six months within one calendar year. Examples include Christmas tree sales, snow mobile rentals, outdoor water parks, etc.
Seasonal licenses are not entitled to prorating or the prompt payment discount.
Temporary Business License $ 75
Temporary Licenses are provided for businesses that have a valid annual license and operate from a fixed commercial location but wish to operate from a separate temporary location, not exceeding 6 months in duration.
Temporary Licenses are not entitled to prorating or the prompt payment discount.
Administration Fee $ 50
An administration fee will be applied where a business with a valid license applies for a change or amendment to their business license, ie. For a change of location, owner, etc.
PLEASE NOTE:
* BUSINESS LICENCE FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
* A BUSINESS LICENCE IS NOT CONSIDERED VALID IN THE ABSENCE OF ALL RELEVANT FEES PAID IN FULL.
* BUSINESS LICENCE IS NOT CONSIDERED VALID WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN OWNER OR ADDRESS OR OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION AND THE BUSINESS HAS NOT PROPERLY INFORMED THE CITY.
