Start Your Burnaby Nursery and Tree Production Business
This page helps aspiring Burnaby Nursery and Tree Production entrepreneurs get started with NAICS 111421. It delivers a practical, city‑focused roadmap: a six‑part requirements checklist, the essential permits and licenses, typical startup costs, and a realistic timeline from planning to first harvest. Whether you’re buying land or leasing space, you’ll find clear guidance designed to demystify the process and keep you moving forward with confidence.
You’ll learn exactly what to prepare and when. The six requirements are outlined with practical steps you can follow: zoning and site suitability, water and irrigation, soil quality and propagation, access to labor and equipment, environmental and pest‑management plans, and ongoing regulatory compliance. We break down permit timelines, license costs, and ongoing expenses so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises as you move toward opening.
Burnaby’s location offers strong market access, a growing demand for urban trees and nursery stock, and easy logistics to Vancouver and the wider Metro area. With supportive local programs and a climate friendly to propagation, Burnaby is a smart place to grow a healthy nursery and tree production business.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a nursery and tree production business in Burnaby is Business Number (BN) Registration. This BN is the key government identifier you’ll use for taxes, payroll, and other filings with the Canada Revenue Agency, and you typically cannot legally operate a formal business without it. Getting your BN in place is non-negotiable and will unlock the ability to handle invoices, file returns, and work with buyers and suppliers smoothly.
Next, focus on mandatory operational requirements that protect people and the public. If you have workers, you must arrange WorkSafeBC coverage and registrations as an employer to ensure a safe workplace. The On-Farm Food Safety Program is a practical framework many producers adopt to maintain food safety and good farming practices; while not always mandated by law, participation is common and can be required by buyers or markets you plan to serve. These elements help you stay compliant and protect both staff and customers.
For business registrations and taxes, you’ll want to set up BC Business Name Registration if you operate under a name other than your own legal name. GST/HST registration is needed if your taxable revenue meets the threshold or if you want to claim input tax credits. Payroll Deductions Registration is required if you have employees, to handle withholdings for programs like EI and CPP and to remit amounts properly.
If you’re ready, the next steps are straightforward: confirm your business structure, obtain your BN, decide if you’ll register a BC business name, and check GST/HST and payroll obligations based on your plans. Consider enrolling in the On-Farm Food Safety program and securing WorkSafeBC coverage early. With these foundations in place, you’ll be well-positioned to start confidently and grow your nursery and tree production business in Burnaby.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a nursery and tree 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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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 nursery and tree 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 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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