- Review zoning map and bylaws. Before you start, review the RDCO map and zoning bylaws to understand what kinds of business activities are permitted and where. For Short Term Rentals (STR) review the STR operator guidebook to get started.
- Business licence portal. Create an account and log in. Click "select client" and setup a profile - location is "Regional District of Central Okanagan". Click the "new application" button and follow prompts.
- Prepare documents. As you work through the application, the required documents for your specific business will be listed out.
- Staff review. Initial review to confirm application completeness.
- Pay one-time application fee. You will receive an email with a payment link.
- Department review. Planning, bylaw and other RDCO departments may review your application to confirm compliance. Short-term rental applications must pass a safety inspection.
- Pay annual business licence fee. You will receive an email with a payment link.
- Print and save. Log in to portal and open the business licence you wish to print. Click "business licence and related documents" then the "view" icon and select the green "print" button. Print as a PDF to save a digital copy.
- Post printed licence. All business licences must be displayed in a prominent place, viewable to the public and are subject to all applicable bylaws and regulations. STR operators must post an RDCO-issued sign to the civic address, clearly visible from a public roadway.
- Yearly renewal. All business licences expire on December 31 each year.
Business licences
All businesses located and operating in Electoral Areas of the Central Okanagan are required to have an RDCO business licence.
For businesses within other jurisdictions – City of Kelowna, City of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland and Westbank First Nation – please contact their office for information on business licences. Our online business licence process will restrict applications outside our jurisdiction.
See Business Licensing and Regulation | Bylaw No. 1555 for detailed information on operating a business in Electoral Areas, including Schedule A: Business licence fees for 2024-2028.
Business licences must be renewed annually and are subject to a $30 late payment penalty if not paid by December 31 of the year. If there are any changes to the name, address, ownership or if your business ceases operation, please contact our office.
Apply or renew a business licence
New online portal
We have a new online portal for business licences. If you are renewing a business licence for 2027, be sure to create an account with the same email used for your 2026 business licence, to ensure your accounts sync.
Notification messages will be sent from from the online system with the email: Citywide - notifications@psdcitywide.com. Please safelist this email address to ensure you receive all messages.
See the quick reference guide for help with sign up, login and other information.
All applications are submitted through an online portal. At any time you can log in to the portal to check the status of your application. Typically, applications take two to three weeks for processing.
If you are applying for a business licence located on a property you do not own, you must submit an owners authorization form signed by the registered owner authorizing you to operate the business on their property.
Steps for a new business licence
Steps to renew a business licence
- Log in to the online portal. Create an account in our new online portal. Use the same email as your 2026 business licence to ensure your accounts sync.
- Review and update information. Click on the business you wish to renew. A pop-up window will appear. Confirm all information is correct by clicking the green check mark for all work fields or change the information as required. When complete, click "request renewal" button.
- Department reviews. Planning, bylaw and other RDCO departments may review your application to confirm compliance.
- Pay business licence fees. Once your renewal has been approved you will receive an email with a payment link.
- Print and save. Log in to the portal and open the business licence you wish to print. Click "business licence and related documents" then the "view" icon and select the green "print" button. Print as a PDF to save a digital copy.
- Post printed licence. All business licences must be displayed in a prominent place, viewable to the public and are subject to all applicable bylaws and regulations. STR operators must post an RDCO-issued sign to the civic address, clearly visible from a public roadway.
Short Term Rentals
The RDCO has approved a new regulatory framework for Short Term Rentals (STRs) in Central Okanagan Electoral Areas. These updates modernize the provisions, improve consistency across the region and strengthen community safety, clarity and accountability. Learn more about the public engagement that helped inform these changes.
STRs are allowed in a full house, a room in a house, or a legal secondary suite within residential zones. They are also allowed in a tourist cabin within commercial tourism zones. Only one licensed STR per property. STRs are limited to a maximum of four bedrooms and up to eight guests per night. Maximum one booking per unit at a time.
The STR operator guidebook is your best resource to get started on a STR business licence application.
STR licence requirements
- Dedicated parking spot (one minimum) - see our parking plan tool
- Fire safety plan - see our fire safety plan tool
- Designated representative, able to respond to complaints within two hours, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
- RDCO‑issued sign affixed to your civic address sign, clearly visible from a public roadway, including contact information for the designated representative.
Report STR issues
Before submitting an STR issue to the RDCO, please contact the designated representative. Contact information is found on the RDCO-issued sign posted near the civic address sign.
For any immediate emergencies, or life safety concerns, please contact 9-1-1. For parking concerns or violations on the road right-of-way (i.e. not private driveways), please contact your local RCMP detachment.
Inter-community business licence program
If you operate a business within Central Okanagan Electoral Areas and operate in one or more of the participating areas, you can purchase an inter-community business licence. This eliminates the requirement to purchase licences for every municipality you work in.
See Inter-Community Business License | Bylaw No. 1261 for detailed information on operating a business in multiple communities.
You must obtain a business licence from the municipality or regional district where your business is located first, then purchase an inter-community business licence through that organization.
An inter-community business licence does not exempt you from complying with any special requirements unique to the participating municipalities.
The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $150.
- City of Armstrong
- City of Enderby
- City of Kelowna
- City of Merritt
- City of Penticton
- City of Revelstoke
- City of Salmon Arm
- City of Vernon
- City of West Kelowna
- District of Coldstream
- District of Lake Country
- District of Peachland
- District of Sicamous
- District of Summerland
- Regional District of Central Okanagan
- Town of Oliver
- Town of Osoyoos
- Town of Princeton
- Township of Spallumcheen
- Village of Lumby
- Village of Keremeos
