Business Licences

The District of Sparwood requires every person carrying on, maintaining, owning, or operating any profession, business, trade, or occupation within the District to hold a valid business licence, including all sub-trades. The business licence must be visibly displayed on the premises. Licence holders operating a mobile business must carry the licence on their person while working in Sparwood.

Contact the Planning Department (planning@sparwood.ca) or the Bylaw Enforcement Officer (bleo@sparwood.ca) regarding your business licence requirements.

Business on Municipal Property

Businesses wishing to carry on retail sales or provide outdoor seating areas on a municipal sidewalk or boulevard must obtain a Letter of Agreement from the District of Sparwood prior to utilizing public lands for their business. 

The following conditions must be met prior to a Letter of Agreement being issued: 

1. Sales or services can only be carried on in an area that is immediately adjacent to the business and not more than five feet from the property lot line; 
2. Provide evidence of a minimum of $2 million dollar liability insurance naming the District of Sparwood as a co-insured party; 
3. Areas must be kept clean with a minimum of five feet from any curb of a road to such area kept clear for pedestrians; 
4. If food products are being consumed, the requirements of the Medical Health Officer are complied with; 
5. Displaying products after dark must provide electric lighting, which does not produce glare to motorists; 
6. Does not create or cause a fire hazard, electrical interference or traffic congestion on any adjacent road; 
7. No noise or sound-making equipment may be used so as to create a nuisance; 
8. No structures other than tables used for the display of merchandise or for eating purposes. 

How to Make a Payment for a Municipal Service

Apply for a Business Licence

Apply for a Business Licence (Home Occupation)

Temporary Event Licenses

The District of Sparwood recognizes the value of festivals and events in our community. 

Festivals and events contribute to quality of life, encourage local economic development and help shape our community identity. 

If you’re organizing a festival or event on District property, we’re here to help. Staff can answer your questions about liquor licenses, food vendors, lighting, fireworks, permits, security, power, stages, bleachers and more. 

Will you need a business licence? 

If your special event is a commercial event where you will be retaining all profits, such as a trade show, carnival, circus, or other seasonal business, you will be required to obtain an itinerant or transient sales business licence.  You can obtain a business licence for one day, one month, three months, six months or one year for your itinerant or transient sales business.  Licence fees are listed in the Business Licence Bylaw. 

If you are a society or non-profit business hosting a special event that is open to the public and benefits the community, you do not need to obtain a business licence. 

Details to consider when planning a special event 

Having a checklist of tasks and activities that need to be completed to make the event happen is essential.  We recommend that you develop a checklist applicable for your own event. When using District of Sparwood facilities and parks, some of the requirements that you may need to discuss with us are: 

• Use of Town Parks/Event site: 
• Will the park be closed to the general public? 
• Will extra washroom maintenance or facilities be required? 
• Will keys be required to access park gates and other facilities? 
• Will extra garbage cans be required? 
• Will electrical services be required? 
• Do you need additional bleachers? 
• Will there be overnight structures or displays that require sprinklers being turned off during your event? 
• Will you be providing a clean up crew for post event clean up? 
• Will there be tents on site? 
• Will fencing be required? 
• Will vehicles need access for set up or display purposes? 
• Activities at your event: 
• Will there be animals on site? 
• Music/entertainment? 
• Retail sales? 
• Display booths? 
• Do you plan to serve alcohol? 
• What are the hours of operation for this service? 
• Will the alcohol be sold or will it be complementary? 
• Security/Fire/Ambulance: 
• Will there be security personnel on site? 
• Is overnight security personnel needed? 
• First Aid on site? 
• BC Ambulance or St. John’s Ambulance on site? 
• Volunteer first aid attendants? 
• Will there be a staffed medical centre? 
• Food Services: 
• Will food service be on site? 
• Will vendors be selling food on site? 
• Will goods be provided at no charge to participants? 
• Parking: 
• Will parking lot closures be required? 
• Will overnight parking be required? 
• Will keys be required for gate closures? 
• Insurance/permits: 
• Will it be required that you insure your event? 
• What type of insurance will be required? 
• Will vendors/others need to be insured? 
• What permits will you need for the event (road closures, beer gardens…)? 

Contract the Leisure Centre at 250.425.0552 for more details.