Business licences are required to conduct business in Penticton. You also have the option to apply for various business permits to expand your commercial opportunities.
Business Permits
You also have the option to apply for various business permits to expand your commercial opportunities.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a beach vendor or operating a food or mobile truck business in Penticton, visit our Beach & Mobile Truck vending page. Vending sites, locations and requirements are defined in the application forms.
Are you interested in opening a cannabis retail store in Penticton? Visit our Cannabis Retail Store webpage for information to get started, including policies, bylaws and maps, as well as contact information involving the various City departments who can answer your questions.
A lot of work goes into planning events – and we want to make your organizing to-do list a little easier. Visit our Host an Event section for everything you need to know about planning, applications and facility or park rentals.
Does your business care for others? Your business must receive mandatory provincial requirements – including a successful health inspection and a Community Care Facility Licence – before we will grant you a business licence. Both are issued by Interior Health.
Visit our Child Care page for information to get started.
While liquor licences are issued by the B.C. Government's Liquor & Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), all applications require a municipal review process. Please see our Liquor Licences page for full details.
For any new or changes to existing Special Occasion Licensing applications involving changing location, service to whole site setup or extension of hours, please complete this application and return it to the Business Licence Department at City Hall.
Non-profit organizations are not required to have a business licence, but those with facilities are asked to register with the City.
From there, inspection appointments may be set up with building and fire officials for random safety audits. This will help us make sure fire and life safety requirements up to date in your location.
Having lunch on the patio or browsing wares outdoors adds to the amazing experience and lifestyle that Penticton has to offer. As a business owner, you may have the option to extend your commercial activity into the street with a storefront use permit. Storefront usage is administered by the Building and Permitting Department. Learn more on the Sidewalk & Storefront Usage page.
If you’re installing or updating signage of any kind, you'll need to complete a Sign Permit. We can help suggest options for safe and visible signage. Free-standing, awning, fascia and projecting signs will need scale drawings and detailed description of the advertising copy as well as font and size.
Read about the general guidelines in place with respect to temporary tents, stages, air-supported structures and other structures that are erected for Special Events.
Additional Information
Planning to do some renovations to your business? Visit our Building Permits page for information and the Building Permit Applications & Forms page to download the forms required.
The Penticton Buskers Program is managed by Downtown Penticton Association in partnership with The City of Penticton to make street-side entertainment an enjoyable experience for all.
"Busking" is the practise of performing in public places for tips and gratuities. People engaging in this practice are called "buskers" or "street performers."
The Penticton Buskers Program is a year-round program that welcomes and encourages local and touring, professional and amateur, buskers to perform in art form. Buskers may do anything that will entertain people such as mime, physical comedy, juggling, puppetry, playing an instrument or singing.
Thinking you want to take part? Contact the Downtown Penticton Association today.