In addition to a zoning check, the Building inspector will check to see if your building is up to the standards of the British Columbia Building Code with regard to health, fire and life safety standards for your proposed class of business. If you are opening a food-related business, approval will also be required from the Provincial Health Inspector.
Once your property meets the above requirements and your fee is paid a business licence will be issued. In future years, annual permit fees are due on or before the 31st day of March, in order to avoid penalties.
Anyone wishing to pursue a non-medical cannabis business will need to ensure they adhere to the regulations within zoning bylaws as well as applicable provincial regulations. The retail sale of cannabis is prohibited in all zones, except for the TC and C2 Zone. Applications for Retail Cannabis must be submitted through the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). LCRB regulates British Columbia’s liquor industries and private retail non-medical cannabis industries.
