Launch Your Saint John Golf Courses and Country Club Today

This page maps out a practical, step-by-step path to starting Golf Courses and Country Clubs in Saint John. If you're planning a new course or a private club under NAICS 713910, you'll find eight essential requirements, plus the permits, costs, and timeline you can expect on the journey from concept to opening.

You'll get a concise overview of each requirement, including how to approach zoning and land-use approvals, business registration, environmental assessments, building and site permits, water and drainage permissions, liquor licensing (if you’ll serve alcohol), health and safety compliance, and insurance and staffing rules. The guide also covers typical startup costs—land or lease, course development, equipment, licensing—and a realistic timeline from planning to the first tee.

Saint John is a friendly market for golf ventures, with a vibrant tourism draw, a supportive business climate, and a skilled workforce. Starting a golf course or country club here offers the chance to grow in a close-knit community while tapping Atlantic Canada's growing leisure and hospitality scene.

Business Type
Golf Courses and Country Clubs
Location
Saint John

Requirements Overview

The most critical requirement for operating a golf course and country club in Saint John is the Business Licence. This municipal license is legally required to run any business in the city, and you cannot operate without it. It’s non-negotiable: without an active licence, you risk fines, closures, and other penalties that can derail your opening and day-to-day operations.

Mandatory Operational Requirements: health, safety, permits. In practice, you’ll need to prioritize staff and guest safety by securing New Brunswick WorkSafeNB Employer Coverage, which provides workers’ compensation and a safety program as required by law. You’ll also need the necessary permits to operate; the Business Licence is a core part of this, and you should stay current with any local permit renewals that apply specifically to golf courses and clubs.

Business Registration & Tax: To keep everything above board, you’ll need a Business Number (BN) and New Brunswick Business Name Registration (SNB) if you’re using a trade name. If you set up as a partnership or corporation, complete the corresponding registrations (Partnership Registration or NB Corporation Registration). For taxes, arrange GST/HST Registration and Payroll Deductions Registration so you can collect and remit sales tax and manage employee withholdings.

Encouragement: You’re on a solid path. Start by choosing your business structure, then complete the BN and SNB registrations, apply for the Business Licence, and arrange WorkSafeNB coverage. Mark renewal dates on a calendar and consider connecting with a local advisor to tailor these steps to your club’s specifics. You’ve got this—taking the first step today will set you up for smoother compliance down the fairway.

Detailed Requirements

Here are the specific requirements for starting a golf courses and country clubs in Saint John:

  • Business Licence Required
    General business licence required to operate a business in City of Saint John. Apply to City of Saint John 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 Saint John Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
  • Business Number (BN) Registration Required
    A 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).
  • New Brunswick Business Name Registration (SNB) Required
    Businesses in New Brunswick must register their business name with Service New Brunswick if operating under a name other than the owner's legal name. This applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and trade names. Registration provides legal recognition and is required for business operations and licensing. Registration can be completed online through SNB Online. Business name registrations for sole proprietorships and partnerships must be renewed every 5 years. To register a business name in New Brunswick: 1. Conduct name search ($13.80) 2. Complete registration through SNB Online 3. Pay $112 registration fee (includes Royal Gazette) 4. Receive certificate of business name 5. Renew every 5 years ($62) 6. Report any changes as required
  • Partnership Registration Conditional
    Required for partnerships. Registration of partnerships. Register through Province of New Brunswick Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of New Brunswick government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
  • NB Corporation Registration Conditional
    Required if incorporating in New Brunswick. Incorporation under NB law. Register through Province of New Brunswick Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of New Brunswick government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
  • GST/HST Registration Conditional
    Required 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.
  • Payroll Deductions Registration Conditional
    Required 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.
  • New Brunswick WorkSafeNB Employer Coverage Conditional
    Required if you have employees in New Brunswick. Employers in New Brunswick must register with WorkSafeNB (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission) and maintain coverage for workers. WorkSafeNB provides insurance coverage for workplace injuries and occupational diseases. Most employers are required to register, with limited exceptions. Registration must occur within 10 days of commencing business operations or hiring the first worker. Employers pay assessments based on their classification unit rate and assessable payroll. To register with WorkSafeNB: 1. Determine if you're in a mandatory industry with 3+ workers 2. Register with WorkSafeNB online or by phone 3. Report assessable payroll annually 4. Pay premiums based on industry rate ($1.18/100 avg 2024) 5. Maintain coverage and report workplace injuries 6. Experience rating affects rate (+80% to -40%)

Funding & Grants

Available funding programs that may apply to your golf courses and country clubs:

  • 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: …
  • 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 …
  • 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, …
  • 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 …
  • 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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