Start Your Surrey Fruit and Tree Nut Farming Journey Today
This page provides a practical blueprint for starting a fruit and tree nut farming operation in Surrey under NAICS 111336. You'll get a clear overview of the seven essential requirements, concrete steps, and a realistic path from idea to market. It covers permits, registrations, typical startup costs, and a timeline you can track week by week as you plan, apply, and grow your first crops.
Key learning includes exactly what the seven requirements cover—land use and zoning compliance, securing the right business structure, water allocation and environmental permits, orchard planning and crop rotation, access to equipment and infrastructure (tractors, irrigation, storage), labor, safety compliance, and robust recordkeeping. You’ll also get practical cost ranges for land, site development, trees and plants, irrigation systems, and licenses, plus a simple, phased timeline from site prep to first harvest and initial sales.
Surrey makes this journey friendlier with a growing local agri-food network, nearby markets, farm-support programs, and access to extension services. The climate and soil in the region suit a mix of fruit trees and nuts, giving you multiple revenue streams and opportunities to optimize yields while building a resilient farming business right in the Metro Vancouver area.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a fruit and tree nut farming business in Surrey is Business Number (BN) Registration. A BN is issued by the Canada Revenue Agency and you need it to interact with the federal government—for example, when filing taxes, paying employees, or opening accounts. Without a BN, you cannot legally operate or invoice customers. This foundation is essential and non-negotiable for starting and running your farm business.
Beyond registration, you’ll need to meet mandatory operational requirements that safeguard health, safety, and permits. Put in place an On-Farm Food Safety Program to protect the quality and safety of your produce. Ensure you have WorkSafeBC coverage for yourself and any staff, which helps keep workers safe and compliant. Also obtain a Surrey business licence to legally run your farming operation within the city limits.
For business registration and tax readiness, complete the BC Business Name Registration if you’ll operate under a name other than your own (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership). Plan for GST/HST registration with the Canada Revenue Agency if your sales meet the threshold, and set up Payroll Deductions Registration if you hire employees (to handle withholdings like taxes, CPP, and EI). These steps, together with your BN, keep your farm compliant and ready to grow.
Next steps: start with the BN and name registration, then apply for the Surrey business licence and any required safety programs. Register for GST/HST as needed and set up payroll deductions if you hire staff. Reach out to your local BC agricultural extension office or a small-business advisor for a simple, timed action plan, and you’ll move confidently from startup to steady operation. You’ve got this—your Surrey fruit and tree nut farm can take shape with these practical, actionable steps.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a fruit and tree nut combination farming in Surrey:
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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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Business Licence RequiredGeneral business licence required to operate a business in City of Surrey. Apply to City of Surrey for Business Licence: 1. Determine business category 2. Complete business licence application 3. Submit required documents (ID, lease, zoning confirmation) 4. Pay application and annual fees 5. Await approval and receive licence Contact City of Surrey Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
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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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On-Farm Food Safety Program ConditionalRequired for specific regulated activities. Many commodity sectors require on-farm food safety programs (e.g., CanadaGAP for produce, CQA for beef/dairy). Demonstrates compliance with food safety practices from farm to gate. On-Farm Food Safety Program. CFIA-recognized programs. CanadaGAP for produce. CQA for pork. Proaction for dairy. Contact CFIA: 1-800-442-2342.
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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 fruit and tree nut combination farming:
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50% cost-share grant under the Sustainable CAP framework (2023–2028) with two streams: On-Farm Irrigation (up to $17,500 for purchases or $6,000 for upgrades per parcel, max $35,000/fiscal year) and On-Farm Water Supply (max $40,000 per applicant over the 2023–2028 program period). Continuous intake subject to available annual funding.
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A $25.7M program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership open to not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations. AAFC contributes up to 70% of eligible costs (max $1M/year or $5M over 5 years; $100K/year or $500K for national fair projects). In-kind contributions capped at 15% of total. Priority intake closed May 30, 2025; …
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A non-refundable BC personal and corporate income tax credit equal to 25% of the fair market value of eligible agricultural products donated to qualifying registered charities in BC. Available for donations made between February 16, 2016 and December 31, 2026. The credit is claimed in addition to the regular charitable …
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The Agricultural Living Laboratories Initiative (now operating under the Agricultural Climate Solutions — Living Labs program) is a $185-million, 10-year federal initiative that brings together farmers, scientists, and sector stakeholders to develop and evaluate innovative technologies and practices in real-world farm conditions. Fourteen living labs across Canada were launched in …
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The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative (AYGI) was a wage subsidy program under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada designed to attract youth to environmentally focused careers in agriculture. It offered two streams: the Green Farms Stream (subsidizing on-farm youth internships up to $10,000 per intern) and the Green Internships Stream (subsidizing …
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