Launch Your Fur-Bearing Animal and Rabbit Production in Burnaby
Set up your fur-bearing animal and rabbit operation in Burnaby with confidence. This page is your practical starter guide for NAICS 112930, outlining seven essential requirements you'll meet before you open your doors. You'll get a clear overview of permits, zoning, business licenses, housing and waste plans, and safety standards, plus the real-world costs for facility build-out, equipment, feed, and veterinary care. We'll map a realistic timeline from planning through approvals to first production.
Seven practical requirements guide your path, with clear steps on where to apply, typical fees, and how to budget for ongoing costs. Learn about Burnaby zoning and business licensing, animal welfare compliance, facility design, waste and odor controls, record-keeping, health checks, and security. You’ll also see rough cost ranges, a 3-6 month approvals timeline, and key milestones as you scale toward your first sales season.
Burnaby’s proximity to Vancouver markets, strong agricultural networks, and local support for small farms make this a smart, growth-friendly choice.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a fur-bearing animal and rabbit production in Burnaby is Business Number (BN) Registration. This is legally required and you cannot operate your business without it. The BN lets you interact with federal programs (like taxes and payroll) and sets up the table you’ll use for other registrations and filings. This requirement is non-negotiable—without a BN you can’t properly run or grow the business.
Beyond the BN, there are mandatory operational requirements that address health, safety, and traceability. You’ll want to align with an On-Farm Food Safety Program to show you’re handling animals and products in a safe, responsible way. You’ll also participate in the Canadian Livestock Identification Program to keep track of your animals, which helps with disease control and market compliance. WorkSafeBC coverage and registration is important to protect workers and meet workplace safety rules. Depending on your setup, you may also need local permits or approvals to operate.
For Business Registration & Tax, you’ll need BC Business Name Registration if you’re operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership (to officially register your business name with the province). You’ll also need GST/HST Registration if your activities reach the taxable threshold or if you want to reclaim input taxes. Payroll Deductions Registration is necessary if you hire employees, so you can handle payroll taxes and remittances correctly. Together, these registrations and numbers keep your business compliant and eligible to run smoothly.
You’re taking a great first step by outlining these requirements. Next, gather your documents and start with the BN, then decide your business structure and register the name if needed. Plan your GST/HST and payroll needs, and set up safety, tracing, and worker protection steps (On-Farm Food Safety, CLIP, WorkSafeBC). If you’d like, I can help you build a simple, concrete action checklist and timeline to get you from
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a fur-bearing animal and rabbit production 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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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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Canadian Livestock Identification Program ConditionalRequired for livestock operations. Mandatory identification and traceability for cattle, bison, sheep, and other livestock. Requires premises identification and individual animal tracking to support disease control and food safety. Canadian Livestock Tracking System. CFIA traceability requirements. RFID tags for cattle. Movement reporting. 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 fur-bearing animal and rabbit production:
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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 refundable 10% Manitoba tax credit for eligible capital expenditures on prescribed nutrient management equipment (solid-liquid separation systems, anaerobic digesters, gravity settling tanks, manure treatment systems, manure composting facilities). Introduced in 2012 and permanently eliminated for expenditures incurred after April 11, 2017 under the Manitoba 2017 Budget. Carry-forwards of unused …
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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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A refundable Manitoba tax credit equal to 10% of the capital cost of eligible odour-control equipment acquired after April 19, 2004 and before April 12, 2017. The credit was permanently eliminated for expenditures incurred after April 11, 2017 under Manitoba's 2017 Budget. Unused credits from eligible prior-period expenditures may still …
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