Business License
Last updated on August 28, 2026
General Information
Any business conducting activity within the City of Merritt boundaries requires a valid Business Licence.
View the Business Information Guide: Click Here
Business Licence Renewal
Business licences must be renewed annually by January 1. Current business licence holders will receive an annual invoice for renewal.
Short-Term Business Licences
Short-term business licences are available for three- or six-month terms.
NOTE: Business licences can take 4-6 weeks to process
Payment Options
Accepted payment methods:
- Online Credit Card (OptionPay)
- Cheque (mail/drop-off)
- Debit Card/ Cash (in person)
** Please include the Customer Number (CUST001) when paying your Business Licence invoice (see sample)
DOWNLOAD THE BUSINESS INFORMATION GUIDE
Apply for Business LicenseObtaining a Business Licence in Merritt
Before submitting an application for a City of Merritt Business Licence, you may need to obtain non-municipal inspections, assessments, or permits:
Public Health Inspection (eg: Food Premises): interiorhealth.ca/information-for/businesses
Technical Safety BC Permits (eg: Operating Permits or Safety Assessments): technicalsafetybc.ca/apply-for
Please note that you will need to get your business established with the Province of BC and the Government of Canada before you apply for a municipal business licence. Reference the Business Licence Guide for more information.
APPLICATION FEE: $50 | One-Time | Non-Refundable
Once you have obtained any permits, inspections, business registrations from other government entities (for example your business name registration with the Province of BC or Health Inspection from Interior Health), you may apply for a City of Merritt Business Licence. There are three types of business licences you can apply for:
Regular Business Licence Application fee: $50
Short-term Business Licence Application fee: $50
Inter-Community Business Licence (ICBL) (Optional add-on to Regular Business Licence; application fee included)
INSPECTION FEE: $50 PER INSPECTION (UP TO 3 REQUIRED)
Depending on your type of business, you may require
inspections and approval from none, some, or all of the following:
- Building Inspector
- Fire Prevention Officer
- Cross Connection Control Coordinator
If you require all three inspections above, the cost would total $150 (or $50 per inspection). Each inspection includes one follow-up inspection.
Your application will be approved once the required inspectors confirm that your application is compliant with all municipal and provincial legislation. Once your application is approved, you will need to pay your business licence fee.
Municipal Business Licences:
- Full 12-month Business licence fee: $150
- 3-month Short-term Business licence fee: $55
- 6-month Short-term Business licence fee: $90
- Non-Profit Business Licence fee: $0
* View pro-rated amounts in the Business Licence Guide
* $50 administration/application fee (one-time; non-refundable) required with all applications.
Add on Optional Inter-community Business Licence:
- ICBL Okanagan-Similkameen: +$150
- ICBL Thompson-Nicola: +$75
You are required to renew your regular business licence if you are continuing with your business activities. If you renew your business licence before the date indicated on your invoice, you will receive a 10% discount. If you fail to renew your licence before March 1, a 20% fine will be added. (There are no discounts on the ICBL or other fees).
Business licence renewal fee: $150 | 10% discount prior to year end = $135 | 20% fine after March 1 = $180
NOTE: Business Licences can take 4 – 6 weeks to process
Inter-Community Business Licence
If you have a mobile business and conduct business in two or more of the partner communities, you may be eligible for an Inter-Community Business Licence (ICBL). An ICBL is a secondary business licence. To obtain an ICBL, you must first have a primary business licence in one of the partner communities. Apply for your ICBL through the community that issued your primary licence.
This is one of the largest ICBL schemes in British Columbia, and covers communities across the central southern interior. Generally, all mobile business are permitted to participate, with specific exclusions for industries such as escorts, or vehicle hire.
Participating communities
- City of Armstrong
- District of Coldstream
- City of Enderby
- City of Kelowna
- Village of Keremeos
- District of Lake Country
- Village of Lumby
- City of Merritt
- Town of Oliver
- Town of Osoyoos
- District of Peachland
- City of Penticton
- Town of Princeton
- City of Revelstoke
- District of Salmon Arm
- District of Sicamous
- Township of Spallumcheen
- District of Summerland
- City of Vernon
- City of West Kelowna
- Regional District of Central Okanagan
The Thompson-Nicola ICBL allows businesses to operate in the area north of Merritt. Eligibilty would cover most mobile businesses, with specific exemptions for businesses such as those involved in the cannabis trade, or body rub services.
Participating communities
- City of Kamloops
- City of Merritt
- District of Barriere
- District of Clearwater
- District of Lillooet
- District of Logan Lake
- Tk’emlups First Nation
- Village of Chase
Up until December 31, 2023, the City of Merritt has been included in the Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence (IMBL) program. As the City of Merritt is outside the Lower Mainland region, it was deemed not appropriate for inclusion. Business licences purchased before the termination of Merritt’s participation in the program will remain in effect until they expire. The Fraser Valley IMBL will continue to operate with only Lower Mainland communities.
Food Truck Business Requirements
For the Merritt Fire Rescue Department Requirements, click here
For the Requirements form, click here
City Sign Bylaw
The City Sign Bylaw regulates the placements and construction of most signs. In order to install a sign, you are required to obtain a valid sign permit. When applying for a sign permit you should include a drawing of the sign that includes its dimensions, lettering and relation to the building or structure to which it is attached.
Home-Based Business
One Home-Based Business Sign may be erected for a licensed home occupation, in R1 & R2 Zones only. Subject to the following regulations;
- Permitted Types: fascia, projecting, window, canopy or freestanding. Not permitted types; illuminated, roof and sandwich board signs.
- Sign Area: the area of a home occupation sign shall not exceed 0.3 square meters
- Projection: a home occupation sign may not project over public property. A home occupation sign may be situated in a setback
- Height: no portion of a fascia or projecting home occupation sign may project above the roofline.
- Freestanding Structure: the top of the structure supporting a freestanding home occupation sign may not exceed 1.5 meters above finished grade.
View the bylaw on the Bylaws page.
BizPal
Online Business Permits and Licences
BizPaL is an online service that allows businesses to easily generate a customized list of some of the permits and licences they require from three levels of government—local, provincial, and federal. It was created through a collaboration between the Government of Canada and participating provincial/territorial, regional, and municipal governments, as part of an effort to reduce the red tape in dealing with multiple levels of government. The City of Merritt Business Licence Application, as well as other application forms, can be found on BizPaL.