CityBritish Columbia · BC Registries
Start a business in Vancouver
Incorporate provincially or federally from Gastown, Mount Pleasant or Yaletown, then handle municipal steps before they surprise you. $350 registry fee, [délai], fees from $149.
Context
Doing business in Vancouver, in practice
Incorporation rules are set by the province (British Columbia) or federally; what changes in Vancouver are permits, zoning and local taxes, handled by the City of Vancouver.
Population[n]Source: Statistics Canada, [year] census
Active businesses[n]With an establishment in Vancouver
Neighbourhoods[n]Each applies its own zoning
Director residencyNo requirementProvincial rule
Figures to complete before publishing · Planned sources: city, provincial statistics office, Statistics Canada · Check: [date]Municipal steps to plan
After incorporating, before opening. Confirm each item with your city: amounts and timing stay in brackets until verified.
| Step | Who | Authority | Cost | Timing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy certificate or business licenceCommercial premises or office | Any business with premises | City of Vancouver (business licences) | [amount] | [n] days | To verify |
| Home-office useWorking from home | Consultants, freelancers, online sellers | City of Vancouver (business licences) (zoning) | [amount] | [n] days | To verify |
| Non-residential property taxIn the rent or billed | Commercial tenants | City of Vancouver | [xx]% | Yearly | To verify |
| Sign permitExterior sign | Storefronts | City of Vancouver (business licences) | [amount] | [n] days | To verify |
| Specific permitsFood, alcohol, care | Regulated sectors | City and provincial bodies | [amount] | [n] weeks | To verify |
| GST/HST registrationNot municipal, but often forgotten | From $30,000 of taxable sales | Canada Revenue Agency | $0 | Included from Complete | To verify |
This is a checklist, not legal advice. Requirements vary by sector and use. Verification planned on [date] with the City of Vancouver.
Services for Vancouver
All services in British Columbia →Incorporation in British ColumbiaProvincial corporation, filed with BC Registries, name checked.From $149 + $350Federal incorporationName protected across Canada, extra-provincial registration to operate locally.From $149 + $200 + [amount]Non-resident in VancouverRegistered office, agent for service, banking help, support in European hours.$699 + $350Ongoing complianceAnnual return, minute book, 60 / 30 / 7-day reminders.From $9/month
Most requested neighbourhoodsDowntown · Gastown · Mount Pleasant · Yaletown · Kitsilano
« Two co-founders, an investor share class from day one. The shareholders’ agreement was reviewed by a lawyer. »
FAQ in Vancouver
Reviewed by the review board (lawyer licensed in the province).
Can my registered office be my home in Vancouver?
Yes for the registry: a civic address is enough. Check with the City of Vancouver whether home-office use is allowed in your zone and needs a permit.
Does a 100% online business need a municipal permit?
Usually no occupancy certificate without premises open to the public, but home use is still subject to zoning. Check case by case.
How long from order to certificate?
Filed the day you sign; BC Registries processes in [délai]. You get the certificate by email.
Provincial or federal for a business in Vancouver?
Provincial if your customers are mostly in British Columbia or your directors live outside Canada. Federal if the name must be protected everywhere; you’ll then also register in British Columbia.
Your company in Vancouver, ready this week
From $149 + $350 registry fee. Filed same day, certificate in [délai].
Start in VancouverOther cities: Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Toronto