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.
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.
Starting a Business
Complete the online application form to apply for a business licence. The form may also be printed out, filled out, and submitted in person to:
City Hall, Second Floor
1100 Patricia Boulevard
Prince George, BC V2L 3V9
Canada
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Register the Business Name
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Select a Business Location
- Location selection may be done independently or through a qualified real estate agent.
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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.
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How to check for zoning information using PGMaps
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Visit the PGMaps webpage
- Type an address into the search bar
and press Enter or tap the magnifying glass find a location. - Select the desired address from the list of results.
- Click the Layers
button 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.
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Check an application's status
- Business licence application statuses (and account balances) may be viewed online through the MyCity service.
NOTE: Registration is required.
Fees and Payment Options
How much does a licence cost?
| 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.
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.
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.
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".
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:
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.
Monthly Business License Reports