Start Your Burnaby Assisted Living Facility: A Practical Guide
This page guides you through launching an assisted living facility for the elderly in Burnaby (NAICS 623312). It lays out a clear five‑requirement checklist, plus practical details on permits, licenses, and local approvals. You’ll also see realistic costs and a timeline from planning to opening, so you can plan confidently and stay on track.
Five key requirements to meet: zoning and site suitability with municipal approvals; provincial licensing and care‑standards compliance; facility safety and life‑safety/fire code adherence; staffing, training plans, policies, and resident care programs; and solid financial planning, resident agreements, pricing, and ongoing reporting. The page shows what documents to prepare, permit timelines, and common cost ranges to expect.
Why Burnaby works well for this venture? The city has strong health‑care networks, a growing senior population, and supportive regulatory pathways, making it easier to align quality care with community needs. With the right plan, this combination offers a solid path to a thriving, compliant assisted living facility.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Burnaby is Business Number (BN) Registration. This government-issued identifier from the Canada Revenue Agency is essential to handle taxes, payroll, and other accounts for your operation. Without a BN, you cannot legally register for GST/HST, set up payroll deductions, or work with suppliers and staff. In short, this number is non-negotiable—you need it before you can do anything else.
Mandatory Operational Requirements: health, safety, and permits. Health and safety come first for an assisted living facility. Ensure you have WorkSafeBC coverage for your employees and meet workplace safety regulations, including training and incident reporting. You’ll also need the appropriate local permits and licenses to operate in Burnaby—this typically includes a city business license and approvals related to zoning and facility requirements, so confirm these with the city early in planning to avoid delays.
Business Registration & Tax. Along with your BN, you may need BC Business Name Registration if you plan to operate under a name other than your own (sole proprietorship or partnership). Once your BN is in place, you can register for GST/HST if your taxable supplies exceed the threshold, and you’ll set up payroll deductions registrations for employees. These registrations help keep your finances compliant and make it easier to run payroll and billing smoothly.
Encouragement: next steps and encouragement. Start by applying for your BN, then tackle the BC business name registration if needed. Set up GST/HST and payroll accounts as required, and arrange WorkSafeBC coverage. Finally, connect with Burnaby’s licensing and zoning resources to secure the necessary permits. With a clear compliance plan, you’ll move from concept to a supported, well-run service for seniors.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a assisted living facilities for the elderly 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 assisted living facilities for the elderly:
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The HIPP provided up to $200,000 over 9 months for Stage 1 proof-of-concept, with Stage 2 covering up to 75% of eligible expenses over up to 3 years (minimum 25% applicant cost-share). Eligible applicants included Alberta post-secondary institutions, government entities, health delivery agents, and for-profit or not-for-profit organizations. The program …
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SUAP provides contribution funding for a wide range of projects including substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. Individual project awards have ranged from approximately $1.6 million to $6.3 million in recent announcements. Eligible recipients include not-for-profit health organizations, universities, Indigenous organizations, and other levels of government. For-profit organizations …
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CIHR Catalyst Grants are short-term seed grants (up to 1 year) designed as a first step toward larger, longer-term research projects. The Digital Health stream specifically targets early and mid-career researchers and Indigenous Health researchers working on digital health technologies. Application deadline: March 17, 2026. Total pool: $1,000,000 (approximately 10 …
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