1) What is a business?

The City of Williams Lake Licensing Bylaw No. 1523 has adopted the definition of "business" from Section 497 of the Local Government Act:

"carrying on a commercial or industrial undertaking of any kind or nature or the providing of professional, personal or other services for the purpose of gain or profit, but does not include an activity carried on by the government, its agencies or government owned corporations".

2) When is a Business License required?

A business license is required by any person or persons who wish to operate a "business" from or within the City of Williams Lake. A business license is required prior to the commencement of the carrying on of such business.

3) Can a business be operated from anywhere in the City?

NO. Under the City Zoning Bylaw, the City is divided into a number of different zoning areas with each having a defined set of "permitted uses". A business license may only be issued for a particular location provided the proposed use conforms with the permitted uses outlined in the Bylaw. If the proposed use does not conform with the Zoning Bylaw then a business license cannot be issued until or unless:

* The business is changed to conform with the permitted uses under the Zoning Bylaw; or

* The Zoning Bylaw is amended to permit the use.

4) How do I obtain a Business License?

Business License Applications are available at City Hall between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. All applications are subject to approval by the License Inspector and when necessary, the Building Department, Fire Department and Health Department. You may choose to have an application faxed or emailed to you. Please call Cindy Walters, License Inspector at (250) 392-8487, email her at cwalters@williamslake.ca or fax (250) 392-4408. Applications can also be downloaded from our Documents section.

5) What is the cost of a Business License?

Business License fees vary depending on the nature and scope of the business. Licenses are issued on a calendar year basis and expire on December 31st. Business Licenses are not transferable from one person to another, from one location to another or from one type of business classification to another. Business license fees are not refundable.

6) What type of business can be operated from your home?

In any zone in which a Home Occupation Use is permitted, the following conditions shall be satisfied:

(1) All activities, other than horticulture, shall be conducted entirely within the principal building or accessory building.

(2) The use shall not involve the storing, exterior to the building or buildings, of any materials used directly or indirectly in the processing or resulting from the processing or any product of such craft or occupation.

(3) The use shall only involve the display and the sale of a commodity that is produced on the premises, except where a commodity is an incidental product in the carrying out of the home occupation use, in which case the commodity may be sold, however in no case shall the selling of the commodity be the primary home occupation use.

(4) The use within the principal building shall occupy no more than 20% of the floor area of the principal building, up to a maximum of 46 m2.

(5) The use within one or more accessory buildings shall occupy a total of not more than 46 m2.

(6) In no case shall the total floor area for home occupation use exceed 46 m2 in all principal and accessory buildings on a lot.

(7) The total display area of any outdoor advertising sign shall comply with the requirements of the Sign Bylaw.

(8) The use or occupation shall be operated by a person resident in the dwelling unit and shall not involve the employment of more than one full-time or two part-time employees on the premises.

(9) Home crafts or occupations shall not discharge or emit the following across lot lines:

(a) odorous, toxic or noxious matter or vapours;
(b) heat, glare, electrical interference or radiation;
(c) recurring ground vibration;
(d) noise levels contravening the Noise Control Bylaw.

(10) The use shall provide parking in accordance with Division 400.

(11) No automobile, boat, or heavy machinery servicing or repair is permitted as a home occupation use.

7) Contact Us

Please call Cindy Walters
at (250) 392-8487,
email her at cwalters@williamslake.ca or
fax (250) 392-4408.

Our address is:
City of Williams Lake
450 Mart Street
Williams Lake, BC
V2G 1N3

You can also download a Business License Application from our Documents section.