Start Your Orange Groves in Burnaby: A Step-by-Step Guide
This page helps aspiring orange grove farmers plan a Burnaby operation under NAICS 111310. It offers a practical, no-jargon checklist, a clear timeline, and realistic cost ranges to guide your decision. You’ll get a six-item requirements overview that covers land use and zoning, business registration, and the permits, water access, and environmental rules you’ll need to meet before you plant a single tree.
What you’ll learn includes the six requirements in plain terms: zoning and land use; registering your business and meeting tax needs; permits for any structures or site changes; water rights and irrigation approvals; environmental, pesticide, and waste rules; and worker safety and insurance. You’ll also see a practical cost outline — site prep, equipment, seedlings, irrigation, and ongoing operating costs — plus a realistic timeline from planning to first harvest.
Why Burnaby works: Metro Vancouver offers strong market access, logistics, and a growing appetite for locally grown fruit. Being close to suppliers, customers, and distribution channels helps you move from planting to a profitable harvest faster.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Burnaby is the Business Number (BN) Registration. This is the federal ID you must have to legally run a business in Canada, and you’ll use it when dealing with taxes, payroll, and many other government programs. Without a BN, you cannot legally register for the other essential accounts, file returns, or hire staff, so this is non-negotiable and must be in place before you start selling fruit or hiring help.
Beyond registration, you’ll want to align with mandatory operational standards to protect people and your operation. On-Farm Food Safety Program is a key part of running a food-producing enterprise responsibly, helping you put safe practices in place for handling and selling your produce. You’ll also need WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration to ensure your workplace is protected and you’re contributing to injury coverage for workers. These health and safety requirements help you meet buyer expectations and comply with provincial rules.
On the business registration and tax side, plan for BC Business Name Registration if you’ll operate under a name other than your own (for a sole proprietorship or partnership). You’ll also consider GST/HST Registration if your taxable sales reach the small-supplier threshold, and Payroll Deductions Registration if you have employees. The BN you secured initially will be used across these registrations, keeping your accounts streamlined and compliant as you grow your orange grove.
Next steps: start with securing the BN, then determine if you need a BC Business Name registration, and assess GST/HST and payroll obligations. Check Burnaby-specific guidance and consider talking with a local business advisor to tailor these steps to your orchard. With these foundations in place, you’ll be positioned to move forward confidently and compliantly.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a orange groves 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 orange groves:
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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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