Start Your Other Noncitrus Fruit Farm in Surrey Today
This page offers a practical, step-by-step guide to starting an Other Noncitrus Fruit Farm in Surrey (NAICS 111339). It highlights the seven requirements you’ll need to meet, the permits to secure, and the typical costs and timeline from planning to your first harvest. Use this page as a clear checklist to move confidently from idea to a compliant, operating farm.
What you’ll learn: a detailed overview of the seven regulatory requirements, the exact permits and registrations you’ll encounter (business license, agricultural permits, water use, pesticide handling, waste disposal), and rough cost ranges for land, fencing, irrigation, stock, and labor. We’ll also map out a realistic timeline—planning, approvals, setup, and harvest—so you know what to expect at every stage.
Why Surrey? The city’s climate and location give you easy access to Metro Vancouver markets, established farm networks, and support programs that help new growers. A Surrey base makes it practical to buy, sell, and scale an Other Noncitrus Fruit Farm while staying within local regulations.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a noncitrus fruit farming business in Surrey is a Business Number (BN) Registration. This BN is issued by the Canada Revenue Agency and you cannot legally operate, bill customers, or hire workers without it. It’s the key ID you’ll use with federal programs and for opening a business bank account, handling taxes, and dealing with government services. There is no room to skip this step.
Next, there are essential operational requirements that keep your farm compliant and safe. Make sure you have an On-Farm Food Safety Program in place to manage food safety risks on the farm, and ensure you have WorkSafeBC coverage and registration for your workers. These pieces protect both customers and your team, and they are typically mandatory for licensed farms with employees or those selling to retailers that demand safety standards. Keeping accurate records and following best practices will also help you stay prepared for inspections.
On the business registration and tax side, you’ll want to complete BC-specific registrations beyond the BN. This includes BC Business Name Registration if you operate as a sole proprietorship or partnership, a Business Licence from your local municipality, GST/HST Registration if you meet the threshold or expect to charge GST/HST, and Payroll Deductions Registration if you hire employees. These steps ensure you can legally operate, charge taxes where required, and remit payroll withholdings properly.
You’re off to a strong start. To move forward, set up your BN first, then obtain your local business licence and any required name registration. Talk to a local accountant or small-business advisor to confirm GST/HST and payroll obligations for your situation. With clear steps and the right registrations in place, you’ll be ready to grow your Surrey fruit farm with confidence and steady progress.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a other noncitrus fruit farming in Surrey:
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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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Business Licence RequiredGeneral business licence required to operate a business in City of Surrey. Apply to City of Surrey 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 Surrey Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
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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 noncitrus fruit farming:
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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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