Launch an Amusement Arcade in Burnaby: Start Your Venture Now
This page is your practical, bite-sized guide to starting an Amusement Arcade in Burnaby (NAICS 713120). It breaks down the five essential requirements you’ll meet, plus the permits, rough costs, and a realistic timeline you’ll need. With clear, local context, you’ll move from idea to grand opening confidently.
What you’ll learn: a concise requirements overview—local Burnaby business license and zoning compatibility, fire and life-safety approvals, insurance and safety training, and tax registrations. You’ll see the permits you’ll need, typical cost ranges for setup (equipment, lease build-out, licensing) and ongoing operations, and a practical timeline from lease signing to launch. This guide keeps the process actionable and approachable.
Why Burnaby is a great fit: its central location near Vancouver, steady family and entertainment demand, and vibrant retail districts create solid foot traffic for arcades. With careful site selection and a compelling mix of games, Burnaby offers a welcoming, scalable path for your 713120 arcade business.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating an amusement arcade in Burnaby is Business Number (BN) Registration. This BN is issued by the Canada Revenue Agency and you cannot legally run your arcade in BC without one. It is non-negotiable because you need the BN to handle taxes, GST/HST, and payroll if you hire staff. Without it, you’re out of compliance from day one.
Mandatory Operational Requirements: Health and safety come first. You’ll need WorkSafeBC coverage and registration to protect workers, plus solid safety practices for your staff and customers. Plan for safety checks, training, incident reporting, and ongoing compliance with electrical and fire safety standards for the arcade machines and the space itself.
Business Registration & Tax: In addition to the BN, you’ll need BC Business Name Registration if you’re operating under a name other than your own (sole proprietorship/partnership). With your BN, you should register for GST/HST if your revenue requires it, and for payroll deductions if you have employees. These steps keep your finances and reporting clear and legal.
Encouragement: Getting these steps in place positions you for a smooth launch. Start by applying for your BN, then register your BC business name, and set up GST/HST and payroll registrations as needed. Check WorkSafeBC for coverage and keep safety and basic permits in mind as you plan your setup. If you’d like, I can turn this into a simple, action-oriented checklist with deadlines tailored to your Burnaby location.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a amusement arcades in Burnaby:
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your amusement arcades:
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A provincial personal and corporate income tax credit for arm's-length investors who purchase shares in certified eligible NL small businesses. The credit is 35% for businesses operating outside the North East Avalon region and 20% for businesses within the North East Avalon. Maximum annual credit is $50,000 per investor. Carry-forward: …
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The Tourism Relief Fund was a $500-million federal program administered through Canada's regional development agencies and ISED to help the tourism sector recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The fund supported eligible projects involving capital upgrades, product development, and adaptation of tourism offerings to public health measures. The program's two-year …
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The Nova Scotia Creative Industries Fund provides project-based grants of up to $30,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, to creative and cultural businesses and non-profit organizations seeking to grow their export markets. The program targets sectors including fashion and design, screen, music, performing arts, production and fine craft, …
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The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) offered repayable interest-free contributions (up to $250,000) for SMEs and non-repayable contributions for not-for-profits in the tourism sector. Approximately 15% of funding was earmarked for Indigenous tourism. Delivered by Canada's regional development agencies. The program ran from 2023–2026 and is now fully subscribed and closed …
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SSDIC operates through three streams: Stream One funds Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies and the Aboriginal Sport Circle; Stream Two supports Indigenous governments and not-for-profit Indigenous organizations; Stream Three focuses on Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples. The 2024-2026 cycle invested $24.2M across 119 Indigenous-led projects. New funding available for 2026-27 …
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