Business Licences and Permits

Business Licenses

You must have a business licence to carry out business within the District of Kent, including operating a Short Term Rental.

Application forms

Resident business licence - Business based out of the District.
Non-resident business licence - No premises within the District.
Inter-municipal business licence - Business operating within participating municipalities. See below for more details.
Agri-tourism Accommodation licence - ALR properties offering sleeping accommodations for agri-tourists
Short-term Rental business licence - For more information, please visit our Short Term Rentals page
Gathering for an Event in the ALR business licence
Mailing address notification change form
Business licence cancellation form

See our Business Licence Guide for more details.

Business license related bylaws

Business Licence bylaw, and its amendments sets the specific regulations for business types permitted to operate.
Zoning bylaw regulates the permitted property uses
Building bylaw and British Columbia Building Code regulate commercial tenant alterations or improvements for building and plumbing.
Fees and Charges bylaw sets the business licence fees

Business Licence Renewal

We mail renewal notices in early November of each year to all businesses with a current District of Kent business licence.

Payment Options

By phone

Call us at 604-796-2235 to make payment by credit card over the phone.

In Person

Municipal Hall
7170 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz

We accept cheques, cash credit and debit.

By Mail

District of Kent
7170 Cheam Avenue
PO Box 70
Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0

Send a cheque along with your renewal notice and we will mail your new business licence to you.

Payments must be received by the due date. Postmark dates are not accepted.

Inter-Municipal Business Licence

Inter-Municipal Business Licences (IMBL) are available throughout many participating municipalities. An IMBL costs $250 for the calendar year and is in addition to the resident business licence fee.

Participating municipalities

City of Abbotsford
City of Chilliwack
City of Delta
Village of Harrison Hot Springs (as of January 1, 2020)
District of Hope
District of Kent
City of Langley
Township of Langley
District of Maple Ridge
City of Merritt (as of January 1, 2020)
District of Mission
City of Pitt Meadows
City of Surrey

Businesses eligible for an IMBL include trade contractors or other professionals (related to the construction industry) or a contractor who performs maintenance and/or repair of land and buildings from a location other than their business location.

Revitalization Tax Exemption Program

Looking to upgrade, expand or renovate your business? We offer a tax exemption program for owners of commercial or industrial property that make improvements to their premises.

Before making any changes to your business, contact Development Services first, so that we can work with you to ensure the proper regulations are met, including Fire and Building Codes.

Sign Permits

Business signs require a sign permit. Please be familiar with the Sign Regulation bylaw and our sandwich board sign information guide before completing the sign permit application form. Permits are also required for promotional signs and billboards.

Businesses in the Downtown Revitalization Area are asked to incorporate historic features into their sign designs as outlined in the facade guidelines.

Highways Use Permits

Fill out this form and return it to Municipal Hall (or email it to info@kentbc.ca ) for the application of temporary works on or use of any highways, roads, and/or lands owned by the District.