The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen currently requires that a Business Licence be obtained by persons operating the following businesses:

• Short-term rental accommodation (STR) businesses in Electoral Areas “A”, “D”, “E” and “I”; and
• Tourist accommodation businesses in Electoral Area “E”.

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

*       Except where an operator is present and residing in the same dwelling as guests.
**     Except at Apex Mountain Resort Area

To apply for a business licence, a completed application form must be submitted to the Regional District at businesslicences@rdos.bc.ca.

Business Licence Application Form

In addition, applications for a short-term rental accommodation business licence must be accompanied by the following:

• Confirmation of “Principal Residence Requirement” (applies in Electoral Areas "E", “D” & “I”)
• Floor Plan
• Parking Plan
• Health and Safety Inspection Report
• Fire Evacuation Plan

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

Short-Term Rental Accommodation Business: $500.00

All Other Businesses: $200.00

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:

• Phone: 250-492-0237
• Toll Free: 1-877-610-3737
• Email: info@rdos.bc.ca

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.