Launch Your Under-Cover Food Crops Business in Burnaby Today
Welcome to your practical, start-to-finish guide for launching an Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover operation in Burnaby (NAICS 111419). This page breaks down the six requirements you’ll need to meet, plus the permits, licenses, and costs involved. You’ll also see a realistic timeline from setup to first harvest and simple steps to stay compliant as you build a controlled-environment crop business.
What you’ll learn: a clear, order-by-order view of the six requirements, including approvals, zoning checks, and building permits for greenhouses. We cover essential permits and inspections, food-safety considerations, and typical startup costs—equipment, facilities, utilities, and licensing. The timeline section gives practical milestones and tips to speed up approvals and manage cash flow from day one.
Burnaby’s central location in Metro Vancouver offers easy access to markets, suppliers, and skilled labor, making it an ideal place to grow under-cover crops and scale your business. With a supportive city environment and nearby ag-tech resources, you’re well positioned to turn your idea into a thriving operation.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Burnaby is the Business Number (BN) Registration. This BN is issued by the Canada Revenue Agency and you cannot legally operate a business, invoice customers, or hire staff without it. It’s the key gateway for taxes, payroll, and dealing with government programs, so this is non-negotiable and must be in place before you start trading.
On the ground, there are essential health, safety, and permit steps to handle. For crops grown under cover, you’ll want to participate in an On-Farm Food Safety Program to demonstrate you’re following safety standards. In addition, WorkSafeBC coverage and registration are required to protect workers and meet employer obligations. These practical programs help you run a compliant operation and keep customers and staff safe.
From a registration and tax perspective, you’ll tackle several key items. BC Business Name Registration is needed if you plan to operate under a name other than your personal name or if you’re running as a sole proprietorship or partnership. GST/HST Registration is required if your sales reach the provincial or federal thresholds or if you choose to register voluntarily. If you have employees, Payroll Deductions Registration is necessary to handle taxes and withholdings. Your BN will tie together these registrations and filings, so aligning them early is wise.
Next steps: map out your structure and timelines, then start the registrations one by one. Check the BC and federal government sites for exact forms and fees, or talk to an accountant or business advisor to tailor these steps to your Burnaby operation. With a clear plan and these non‑negotiable basics in place, you’ll move from concept to compliant, ready-to-grow business with confidence.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a other food crops grown under cover 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 other food crops grown under cover:
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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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