Launch Your Burnaby Bed-and-Breakfast Inns: Start a Profitable Journey
This page breaks down how to start a Bed-and-Breakfast Inns business in Burnaby under NAICS 721191. It gives you a practical, step-by-step overview of the six essential requirements, from the permits you’ll need to open the doors to the costs you should budget. Expect a realistic path—from initial planning to your first guest—with clear resources, helpful checklists, and a sensible timeline to keep you moving.
What you’ll learn: the six requirements you’ll meet, which permits and licenses matter in Burnaby and BC, and how to navigate zoning and safety checks. We break down startup costs—renovations, furnishings, insurance, license fees, and marketing—so you’re not surprised by numbers. You’ll also get a practical timeline from idea to opening, with milestones and quick actions to stay on track.
Burnaby’s mix of transit access, local attractions, and growing visitor demand makes it a strong spot for a B&B. With six clear steps, you can launch a compliant, welcoming inn and build steady bookings.
Requirements Overview
One foundational, non-negotiable step to legally operate a bed-and-breakfast in Burnaby is obtaining a federal Business Number (BN) Registration with the Canada Revenue Agency. A BN lets you set up essential tax accounts and, if you hire staff, payroll deductions. Without a BN, you can't properly register for GST/HST or handle your payroll and other obligations, so securing this registration is the doorway to everything else on your to-do list.
Next come health, safety, and permits. You’ll need the BC Provincial Short-Term Rental Registration to operate your suite legally as a short-term rental. In addition, ensure your property complies with local Burnaby bylaws and safety requirements, including any required inspections or certificates. If you have employees, you’ll also need WorkSafeBC coverage and employer registration to protect workers and meet regulatory obligations.
On the business-formation and tax side, register your business name in BC if you’re operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership. This BC Business Name Registration pairs with your BN for tax purposes. You’ll also set up GST/HST Registration (and understand when you must remit taxes). If you hire staff, you’ll need Payroll Deductions Registration to handle withholdings.
Next steps: gather your documents, check Burnaby’s short-term rental rules, and talk to a local advisor or the city’s business office. With these registrations in place, you’ll have a clear path to launching your B&B—practical, compliant, and ready to welcome guests. You can do this step by step, and soon you’ll be ready to open your doors.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a bed-and-breakfast inns 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 Provincial Short-Term Rental Registration RequiredProvincial registration required for all short-term rental hosts operating in British Columbia under the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act Register at gov.bc.ca/strregistry. Fee: $100/year (host lives on-site) or $450/year (host off-site). Strata hotels: $600. Registration required by May 1, 2025. Must display registration number on all listings. Principal residence requirement applies in some areas. Contact: STR Registry at 1-855-777-0714.
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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 bed-and-breakfast inns:
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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 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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Provided up to $25,000 per business to Indigenous-owned tourism businesses across Canada. Administered by ITAC through provincial and territorial Indigenous tourism organizations under a $10 million allocation from the $20 million Indigenous Tourism Fund (Budget 2022). All four rounds are completed, with approximately $8.1 million distributed to approximately 330 businesses. …
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The $108M Tourism Growth Program (TGP) funded tourism businesses, associations, Indigenous tourism organizations, post-secondary institutions, and governments to create or improve tourism offerings, invest in digitization, extend seasons, and promote active outdoor experiences. Businesses received interest-free repayable contributions up to $250,000; not-for-profits received non-repayable contributions. Applications are no longer being …
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