Business License Information

All businesses in the District of Sechelt (including home-based businesses) must have a business license.

Why should I get a Business License?
By obtaining a business license, you make your business a legal operation (in terms of the District of Sechelt Licensing Bylaw). Also, many individuals and/or businesses (including the District of Sechelt) conduct business with only those who hold a valid business license.

Who is required to have a Business License?
A "Business" means 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. If what you do fits this definition, and your Business is within the District of Sechelt, or you live outside the District, and your business (contractor, door to door sales) is conducted within the District of Sechelt, you are required to hold a Business License issued by the District of Sechelt.

How do I Know if I am Conducting Business Within the Boundaries of the District of Sechelt?
The District of Sechelt includes the areas known as: Wilson Creek, Davis Bay, Selma Park, Sandy Hook, Tuwanek, West Sechelt (to Redrooffs Rd.) and West Porpoise Bay.

What is the Procedure for Obtaining a Business License?
Basically, the procedure for obtaining a business license is as follows:

• Business License applications may be obtained from the District of Sechelt. The application and fees are to be submitted and the Business License issued, prior to the start of business operation.
  
  Note: the licensing year is January 1- December 31, but fees are prorated when starting a business after July 31st. A discount fee is available, if the Business License is renewed for the year, prior to January 31st.
  
• The business location is inspected by various inspectors, (ie. Building, Fire and/or Health), depending on the type of business, to ensure the location complies with the safety codes.
  
• When the business has met all the regulations (i.e. Bylaws, Building, Fire and/or Health, etc.) the Business License will be issued and mailed.

Are There any Restrictions?
YES. For commercial or industrial businesses, restrictions are dependent upon the zoning (contact the Planning Department for Zoning regulations). For home-based businesses, the following are the restrictions:

• "Home Occupation" means an occupation, profession, or craft that meets the following requirements of Section 307 of Zoning Bylaw No. 25.
  
• General: a home occupation must be located on or within a residential premises and must be clearly accessory to the primary use and may include group day care facilities in a single family dwelling and bed and breakfast accommodations; BUT excludes a body shop, metal fabricating, and repair and maintenance of vehicles, boats and other equipment, AND is subject to all other provisions of this and other bylaws of the District of Sechelt.
  
• External Indications: No external indication shall exist that a building is used for a purpose other than normally associated with a residential building, EXCEPT for a single non-internally illuminated sign not to exceed 0.3metre square. Signs are not permitted for home occupations carried out in multiple family buildings.
  
• Outdoor Use Limited: All uses are to be conducted entirely within a completely enclosed building. Outside storage of materials, equipment, containers or finished products is not permitted.
  
• Employees: The home occupation shall be conducted by residents in the dwelling unit, plus one other person.
  
• Product: No product which is highly combustible, toxic or potentially harmful shall be made or sold on the premises. No product shall be sold on the premises except that which is made or produced on the premises.
  
• Vehicles: Not more than one vehicle shall be used in connection with the home occupation and no such vehicle shall be in excess of 5,000 kg. GVW.
  
• Customers: A home occupation shall not generate pedestrian/vehicular traffic or parking so as to cause a nuisance to the neighbourhood. No customers are permitted to home attend occupations located in multiple family dwellings.
  
• Regulations: A home occupation must have a District of Sechelt Business License. Home occupations must conform to all Federal and Provincial statutes and regulations.
  
• Bed and Breakfast: may accommodate a maximum of up to four guests in up to 2 sleeping rooms for a maximum of 15 days for any one guest.
  
• Number of Home Occupations: up to 2 home occupations are permitted per dwelling unit.
  
• Safety: each home occupation must be equipped with an installed smoke alarm and a minimum 5lb ABC extinguisher on site and mounted.