Business Licences

BLMap2The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen currently requires that a Business Licence be obtained by persons operating a “short-term rental accommodation” business within Electoral Areas “A”, “D”, “E” and “I”.

The Regional District is also currently considering amendments to the Okanagan Valley Zoning Bylaw, to allow “short-term rental accommodation” uses in Electoral Areas “A”, “C”, “D”, “E”, “F” & “I”. Please note that the Regional District is not able to issue licences for short-term rental accommodation businesses until these bylaw amendments are adopted. Additional information about this project can be found at the Strategic Project webpage.

A Business Licence is also currently being considered for all other “tourist accommodation” uses within Electoral Area “E”. Additional information about this project can be found at the Strategic Project webpage.

For all other commercial, industrial and other businesses, including a “short-term rental accommodation” business within Electoral Areas “C”, “F”, “G” or “H”, a Business Licence is not currently required to be issued by the Regional District (see below for more information).

Applying for a Business Licence

To submit a business licence application for a short-term rental accommodation to the Regional District, you will need the following:

  • A completed application form
  • Confirmation of “Principal Residence Requirement” (Electoral Areas "E", “D” & “I”)
  • Floor Plan
  • Parking Plan
  • Health and Safety Inspection
  • Fire Evacuation Plan

The processing time for a new business licence is approximately 6-8 weeks but may vary depending on the application complexity.

Business Licence Fees

Short-Term Rental Accommodation Business Licence: $500.00

Other Businesses

While the Regional District does not require the issuance of a business licence in order to operate commercial or industrial businesses other than a “short-term rental accommodation” business as described above, zoning bylaws have been enacted in Electoral Areas "A", "C", "D", "E", "F", "H", "I" and a small part of Electoral Area "G" and the operators of prospective businesses are encouraged to contact the Planning Department to discuss their future plans in order to ensure compliance with the zoning bylaw(s). Planning staff can be reached at:

The zoning of a property can be confirmed in one of the following ways:

  • through the Regional District's "Parcel Viewer" 
    (enter the civic address or PID of the property and select "Zoning" in the Layer List); or
  • the consolidated versions of the various Electoral Area Zoning Maps under Regional Bylaws (see "Planning").

Within the municipal boundaries of Penticton, Summerland, Osoyoos, Oliver, Princeton & Keremeos a business licence is required and prospective business operators are encouraged to check with these municipalities regarding their business licencing requirements.