Home · Start a Business in BC · 2026
How to start a business in BC, without the overwhelm.
Registering a business in British Columbia is simpler than the internet makes it feel. Here's the clear, step-by-step version: what to file, the order to do it in, the tax bits new owners miss, and the tools that make it run smoothly from day one.
Written by Sydney Young, a BC-based HoneyBook Certified Pro who's helped 250+ business owners get set up.
The short version
- Structure
- A sole proprietorship and its owner are one legal entity and the simplest to set up. Incorporation is a separate legal entity that can offer liability protection and costs more to run.
- Name
- Reserve your business name through BC Registries. It's held for 56 days once approved.
- Register
- Register online via the BC Business Registry with a BC Services Card, then get a Business Number from the CRA.
- Taxes
- Register for GST once you pass $30,000 in revenue; charge BC's separate 7% PST if you sell taxable goods or services.
- Licence
- Most cities require a municipal business licence to operate.
Costs and rules below are current for 2026 and meant as a friendly starting point, not legal or tax advice. Always confirm with the BC Registry, the CRA and your city.
The steps
Six steps from idea to open for business.
Choose your structure
A sole proprietorship and its owner are one legal entity; it's the simplest and least expensive structure to set up. Incorporating creates a separate legal entity, which can offer personal liability protection and has more setup and ongoing administration. A sole proprietor can incorporate later. Which structure fits your situation depends on your goals, liability and taxes, so it's worth speaking with an accountant or lawyer before deciding.
Reserve your business name
Unless you're operating under your exact legal name, request a name through the BC Registries Name Request portal. Offer up to three options; once approved, the name is reserved for you for 56 days. Tip: check the name isn't already taken, and that it's not trademarked.
Register your business
With your approved name, register online through the BC Business Registry using a BC Services Card account. A sole proprietorship can usually be registered same day once your name is approved.
Get your Business Number & tax accounts
You'll receive a Business Number (BN) from the CRA. Register for GST once your revenue passes $30,000 in a year (you can register voluntarily earlier). If you sell taxable goods or some services in BC, register for PST too, since it's separate.
Get your municipal business licence
Provincial registration and a city business licence are two different things. Most BC municipalities (Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby and more) require their own licence to operate within city limits. Check your specific city.
Set up your tools & systems
This is the part most guides skip, and where I come in. A business bank account, simple bookkeeping, a way to send proposals & invoices, an email list, and a website. Set these up well now and you'll save yourself years of admin headaches. The kit below is exactly what I'd reach for.
Don't get caught out
The two things new BC owners always miss.
BC's PST is separate from GST
Unlike provinces with one harmonized tax, BC charges a separate 7% PST on most goods and some services, registered through the BC government rather than the CRA. It's common for new owners to register for GST and overlook PST. If you sell taxable goods or services, it's worth confirming your PST obligations with the BC government or an accountant.
Registering with the province isn't the same as a city licence
You can be fully registered provincially and still need a municipal business licence to legally operate in your city. It's a separate application and fee. Requirements vary by municipality, so check directly with your city before you start operating.
Step 6, made easy
Set up your tools, the simple way.
Once you're registered, the right tools make everything run itself. I keep my full, always-updated stack (registration, bookkeeping, client tools, email and more, most with a reader discount) in one place.
Once you're up and running
Get clear on how your business should run.
Picking the tools is step one. Stackd is my signature system for getting clarity on how your business should actually run, then turning that into real workflows and automations, paired with HoneyBook. It isn't another app to log into; it's the framework that shows you what to build and in what order, so your business runs on systems instead of living in your head.
Your roadmap
The full BC startup checklist.
Everything above in one tick-as-you-go list. It saves your progress automatically, so you can close the tab and pick up right where you left off.
Get registered
The official side, from idea to legally open.
Skip the government portals — register with Ownr →Set up to run
The systems that keep it all simple after day one.
Questions
Starting a business in BC: FAQ.
Do I actually need to register?
If you operate as a sole proprietor under your exact legal name, you may not need to register a business name with the province. The moment you use any business or trade name, registration is required, and most cities require a municipal business licence regardless.
How much does it cost to start?
A sole proprietorship is the cheapest route: a small name-reservation fee plus a registration fee. Incorporating costs more, and most cities add a municipal licence fee on top. Government fees change from year to year, so I won't quote exact numbers here, check the current amounts with BC Registries and your city so you're budgeting from the source.
Sole proprietorship or incorporate?
A sole proprietorship is the simplest and least expensive structure to set up, and the owner and business are one legal entity. Incorporation creates a separate legal entity that can offer personal liability protection, with more cost and administration. A sole proprietor can incorporate later. The right choice depends on your liability, tax and growth plans, so consider speaking with an accountant or lawyer about your situation.
What about GST and PST?
Register for and charge GST once your revenue passes $30,000 in a year (you can register voluntarily sooner). BC also has a separate 7% PST on most goods and some services. It's a different registration, and it's the one new owners most often miss.
How long does the whole thing take?
A sole proprietorship can be registered the same day once your name is approved (name approval takes a few business days). Budget roughly 2–3 weeks end to end if you include CRA and tax registrations.
Keep going
The full stack I use to run a simpler business, most with a reader discount.
See the toolkit → When you're booking clientsThe client hub for proposals, contracts, invoices & scheduling.
Read the deal → When you're ready to scaleThe framework that helps you get clear and build the systems your business runs on, paired with HoneyBook.
Explore Stackd →This guide is general information for getting started in British Columbia and reflects 2026 fees and rules. It is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Always confirm the current requirements with the BC Registry, the Canada Revenue Agency and your municipality, and consider speaking with an accountant or lawyer for your situation.