Launch Your Burnaby Hotels and Motels Business with Confidence
This page provides a practical roadmap to launching Hotels and Motels (NAICS 721110) in Burnaby. Discover the six key requirements you’ll tackle—from business registration and licensing to site readiness—along with a sensible timeline and cost snapshots to keep your plan on track. It’s designed to be encouraging and actionable, not overwhelming, with clear next steps you can start today.
You’ll get a straightforward overview of the permits and licenses you’ll need (business license, fire and safety compliance, health standards for lodging, and occupancy permits), plus zoning checks and building permits if you’re renovating or expanding. We’ll also cover typical costs—from initial property and fit-out investments to licensing fees and insurance—and a realistic timeline from planning to opening, often several months to a couple of years depending on your project.
Why Burnaby? Proximity to Vancouver, steady business and leisure demand, transit access, and supportive local programs make this a smart place to launch hotels and motels.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a hotel in Burnaby is BC Employment Standards Act Compliance. This means your business must follow how you hire, pay, and treat staff under provincial rules. It is a legal requirement, and you cannot legally employ people or run hotel operations without meeting these standards. This requirement is non-negotiable and forms the foundation of how you staff and manage the team from day one.
Beyond that, the mandatory operational piece is to ensure health and safety at the workplace and maintain proper permits. In practice, this means having a safe work environment for your employees and guests, including the required coverage and registration with WorkSafeBC. These safety responsibilities protect workers and help prevent costly penalties or shutdowns. Grouping these items under “operational readiness” keeps your hotel compliant before you start accepting guests.
For business structure and taxes, you’ll need to handle registrations and numbers that connect your hotel to the government and tax system. This includes obtaining a Business Number (BN) and registering your BC business name if you’re operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership. You’ll also consider GST/HST registration and payroll deductions registration, especially if you expect to charge taxes or hire staff. These registrations ensure you can bill customers correctly, file taxes, and remit employee withholdings properly.
If you’re ready to move forward, the next steps are simple: map out your staffing plan and confirm you can meet the BC Employment Standards Act and WorkSafeBC requirements; then set up your business registrations with the BC Registry and the CRA (BN, business name, GST/HST, and payroll). Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a small-business advisor or bookkeeper to keep you on track. You’ve got this—take it one step at a time, and you’ll be ready to operate confidently.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a hotels (except casino hotels) and motels in Burnaby:
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BC Employment Standards Act Compliance RequiredEmployer compliance with BC Employment Standards Act requirements for wages, hours, and working conditions BC Employment Standards Act sets minimum requirements for all employers. Minimum wage: $17.85/hour (effective June 1, 2025). Standard hours: 8 hours/day, 40 hours/week. Overtime: time-and-a-half after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week. 5 paid sick days required. Vacation: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 5 years. Contact Employment Standards Branch: 1-833-236-3700.
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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 hotels (except casino hotels) and motels:
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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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