Starting up a small business gives rise to new experiences and endless questions. But one of the first things you should find out about is the bylaws. Municipal Hall is the first place to check for local regulations that concern new businesses. You can find out about:

Zoning Requirements
Business Licenses
Sign Regulations
Parking Regulations
Bed & Breakfasts
Home Occupations
Other regulatory information on starting up a business in Summerland

Anyone doing business in Summerland for gain or profit should have a Summerland Business Licence. You will need to complete an application form giving us details of your business. Before the licence is granted, we may need approval from the Development Services Dept. (depending on if you are doing renovations and also to check zoning and other regulations), Fire Dept. approval, and possibly Interior Health approval. If you are dealing with food or health issues, it is a good idea to call Interior Health in advance to see what guidelines they have for you to follow so you know in advance. Rates are determined based on the type of business you are doing and are payable before the licence is issued. Your fee includes membership with the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism. Licences are good until December 31st of the year you purchase it. Renewals are sent out at the end of each year and due in January.

Business Licence Classification and Fees

Summerland Business Licence Application

If you will be doing business or performing a service in other cities, you may be eligible to also purchase an Inter-Community Business Licence. You must first have a regular Business Licence and for an additional $150.00 you can also do work in other participating municipalities. You can apply for this at the same time you fill out the Business Licence Application (it is the same form) or you can apply for it at a later date.

Information on the Inter-Community Business Licence

You can pick up an applications at the reception desk at Municipal Hall. If you have any questions, please call 250 494-6451.

"Starting a Small Business in British Columbia" Guide

If you are interested in starting your own business, there are many things you will need to think about – we would like to help. This Guide will introduce you to some of the things you need to know and do and tell you where you can get more information.

As an entrepreneur, deciding your business idea is one of the most important steps you may make in your career. There are some Business Idea FAQ's basic things you should keep in mind. Find out if you have the entrepreneurial spirit in the "Are you ready to be an entrepreneur?" section. Download essential Business Development Concepts.

A Guide to Resources for BC Women:

Starting Your Business and Growing Your Business

If you are thinking of starting a business, you're in good company. Today British Columbia has almost 360,000 small businesses, and women own or operate almost 36 percent of them – the highest rate in Canada.

Following are links to two guides to help get you started, and to grow your small business.

From drafting a business plan to finding the start-up money, these guides will help explain what you need to know and where you can find the information. You will also meet inspirational BC women who generously share their own business experiences.

At the end of each section, you’ll find sources for more information, and key resources are summarized at the end of the guide. These have been specially selected for women starting a business in BC and provide valuable information.

Cool Companies: Insights to entrepreneurial opportunities

Cool Companies is a new magazine for entrepreneurial-minded business people passionate about innovation. Like a shortcut to networking, Cool Companies provides an entry point to hundreds of high-quality business opportunities and entrepreneurial insights to seed innovation in readers' lives.

Exporting

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