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Business Licensing

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An owner or operator of a business within the boundaries of the District of Houston must hold a valid annual business license for carrying on business, pursuant to the Business Licensing Bylaw. The District of Houston's Business Licensing Bylaw provides detailed information about business license fees and regulations. Business Licenses must be renewed annually and are valid from January 1st to December 31st of each year.

Business licenses are used to ensure that the District's municipal land use regulations, provincial building and fire codes, and other community safety requirements are followed by businesses. The business license program also collects important statistical information about local business activities in order to understand trends that impact the District's policy decisions.

For detailed information regarding the cost of a business license, please refer to the Fees & Charges Bylaw.

Applying for a Business Licence

If you would like to apply for a business license or to alter or renew an existing business license, please fill out the Business License Application Form, and submit it to the District Office by mail delivery, fax or email. You can also access the application form as well as other municipal permits and licenses through the BizPal Online Business Permit and Licence Service. Once the form is completed, submit it to our staff at the District's Municipal Office.

The following items are reviewed when considering a business licence application:

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

Contact Information

Any questions related to business licenses may be forwarded to the District of Houston's Business Licence Inspector by phone, mail, fax, or email to:

District of Houston
PO Box 370 | 3367 12th Street
Houston, BC | V0J 1Z0
P: 250-845-2238
F: 250-845-3429
E: doh@houston.ca