Launch a Kelowna Recreational and Vacation Camp Today
On this page you’ll find a practical, mentor-friendly guide to launching a recreational and vacation camp in Kelowna (NAICS 721214). It breaks down the six requirements you’ll need to meet, outlines the permits most applicants must secure, and gives realistic startup costs and a practical timeline from plan to opening day. Use this as your starter kit to move confidently from idea to operation.
You’ll learn the exact steps to satisfy the six requirements, including how to handle zoning checks, safety and health standards, staff qualifications, and insurance. We’ll map out typical permits and licenses, what inspections to expect, and the rough costs you should budget for facilities, equipment, marketing, and ongoing compliance. Plus, you’ll get a practical, phased timeline with milestones and hard dates to aim for.
Kelowna is a great fit for recreational and vacation camps—outdoor beauty, family and group travel, and a supportive local business environment. The city’s tourism and year-round recreation appeal align with camps focused on learning, outdoor fun, and memorable experiences. With clear local processes and a growing demand for quality camps, Kelowna can help your venture stand out.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a recreational and vacation camp business in Kelowna is Business Number (BN) Registration. The BN is issued by the Canada Revenue Agency and you’ll use it for taxes, payroll, and other government obligations. You cannot legally operate without a BN, and there is no way to bypass this requirement. Treat it as non-negotiable from day one to avoid fines, delays, or being shut down.
Beyond the BN, there are essential operational steps to stay compliant and keep guests safe. You’ll need a City of Kelowna business licence to run the camp, and if you’re operating as a sole proprietor or partnership, register your business name with BC. Also arrange WorkSafeBC coverage for staff and establish basic health and safety practices to protect campers and employees. These items cover permits and safety obligations that keep your operation lawful and safe.
On the business registration and tax front, ensure you have the right numbers in place. If your revenue meets the threshold, register for GST/HST with the Canada Revenue Agency. If you hire employees, set up Payroll Deductions with the CRA and handle the withholdings and remittances. Keeping BN, business name registration, and tax registrations aligned helps you bill customers correctly and comply with payroll and tax rules.
Next steps: start with confirming your BN, then apply for the Kelowna business licence and BC business name registration if needed, arrange WorkSafeBC coverage, and set up GST/HST and payroll registrations as applicable. Tackle these one step at a time and you’ll build a strong, practical foundation for a successful camp business. If you’d like, I can help you map a simple, practical 60-day setup plan.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a recreational and vacation camps (except campgrounds) in Kelowna:
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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 Kelowna. Apply to City of Kelowna 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 Kelowna 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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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 recreational and vacation camps (except campgrounds):
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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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