Launch Your Burnaby Temporary Shelters Business Today and Succeed
This page gives you a clear, practical path to launching a Temporary Shelters business in Burnaby (NAICS 624221). It outlines the six requirements you’ll need to meet and walks you through the permits, licenses, costs, and timeline in plain language. You’ll find a straightforward checklist you can act on today, plus quick-start steps to move from idea to operation with confidence.
What you’ll learn: a simple overview of the six requirements, including business registration and tax IDs, zoning and land-use approvals, site or building permits and safety inspections, fire and health safety compliance, insurance and workers’ compensation, and ongoing licensing and audits. We’ll flag typical permit fees, upfront and ongoing costs, and a realistic timeline so you can budget confidently.
Why Burnaby works: This city’s proximity to Vancouver, solid municipal services, and active community programs support housing and shelter initiatives. Local guidance helps you move faster, stay compliant, and serve people in need with a practical, Canada-wide standard approach to NAICS 624221.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a business in Burnaby is Business Number (BN) Registration. This government-issued ID is how you interact with federal and provincial programs, including taxes and payroll, and you cannot legally operate a shelter or any business without it. This step is non-negotiable and must be in place before you start offering services or engaging staff.
For mandatory operational requirements, focus on health and safety and regulatory legitimacy. Ensure you have WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration to protect workers and volunteers and to meet workplace safety rules. Also consider the governance side: if you plan to operate as a charity, you’ll need Registered Charity Status (Social Services). And if you’re running the shelter as a sole proprietorship or partnership, completing BC Business Name Registration is required to use your chosen business name.
On the business registration and tax front, confirm your BC Business Name Registration if you’ll operate under a name other than your own. In addition, plan for GST/HST Registration if your revenue crosses the threshold, and set up Payroll Deductions Registration if you will hire staff. The BN you established earlier will tie these numbers together so you’re properly set up with the government from day one.
You’ve got this—take it step by step. Start by confirming your BN, then line up charity status and/or a business name registration as needed, followed by GST/HST and payroll registrations, and finally WorkSafeBC coverage. If you’d like, I can help you draft a simple checklist and point you to the right government pages to complete each item.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a temporary shelters in Burnaby:
-
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).
-
Registered Charity Status (Social Services) RequiredMany social service organizations operate as registered charities to receive tax-exempt status and issue donation receipts. CRA registration and compliance required. CRA registers charities federally (T2050 application). Ontario: Extra-Provincial Corporations Act for foreign charities. Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) for provincial incorporation. Charitable purpose required. Annual T3010 filing. Disbursement quota rules. ONCA transition completed Oct 2024. Contact CRA Charities: 1-800-267-2384.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 temporary shelters:
-
Two streams: Community-Based (up to $25,000 for local projects led by and for seniors) and Pan-Canadian ($1M–$5M for national collective impact initiatives). The most recent Community-Based intake closed September 17, 2025; Pan-Canadian intake closed November 2023. Next call dates have not been announced as of early 2026. The program runs …
-
Provided contributions to settlement, employment, and community organizations delivering programs addressing employment barriers for racialized newcomer women, including work placements, mentorships, job counselling, and support for gender- and race-based discrimination. Program renewal ended in 2025; no new open call as of early 2026. Over 2,200 racialized newcomer women were served …
Ready to Launch Your Business?
Starting a business can be complex, but you don't have to do it alone. Our AI-powered business matcher can help you understand exactly what you need for your specific situation.
Try Our AI Business Matcher Get Expert Help
No credit card required • Takes 2 minutes
Browse Other Business Sectors
Explore business requirements in other industries: