STARTING A BUSINESS INVOLVES THREE BASIC STEPS:
STEP 1 - Name Approval Request
The first step in incorporation or registration of firms is the approval of the business name. This process combines the name search and approval. The approval of any name is at the discretion of the Registrar of Companies.
It is recommended that you submit three business name choices, in order of preference, for each name approval. Your first choice for a name may be approved if available, and held for a period of 56 calendar days. Once approved, you will be assigned a Name Reservation number to be used in the business registration process.
Any renewal of the reservation period requires payment of another reservation fee. Your second and third choices are not examined unless the initial choice of name is not available. Regardless of whether your three choices are all examined or not, the full fee is charged.
Name Approval Requests are available online: https://www.bcregistrynames.gov.bc.ca/nro/. It takes approximately two to three business days to return your results via email, if you submit your Name Approval application in person.
Click here to Download Name Approval Request Form.
Research Your Choices – check them out for potenial conflicts through telephone listings, business directories and other publications. Here are some helpfull links to assist your research. www.google.ca, www.webnames.ca.
STEP 2 - Register the Business
The West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce does not register businesses.
For Proprietorships & Partnerships
One Stop Business Registration www.onestopbc.ca and select option # 4
Help Desk 1-877-822-6727 Frequently Asked Questions
For Corporations
Go to Corporate Online www.corporateonline.gov.bc.ca and select “File an Incorporation Application”
Online filings can be submitted from 6am to 10pm Monday to Saturday including statutory holidays.
Help Desk 1-800-663-6102
If the company is to be incorporated with a name created by adding “B.C. Ltd.” after the incorporation number. (Eg. 873524 B.C. Ltd.) go to the Corporate Online link select “File an Incorporation Application” and select option (b) on the second page.
STEP 3 - Business License
To operate a business in West Vancouver, you need a business licence. This also applies to tradesmen—such as builders, plumbers, electricians and landscape gardeners—coming into the community to perform work. New business licence applications received from August 1 to December 31 are pro-rated. Processed at West Vancouver Municipal Hall, 750 – 17th Street, West Vancouver.
https://westvancouver.ca/business/permits-and-licences/business-
For business licence information and current prices call The District of West Vancouver 604-925-7152
District Bylaws including Business Licence Bylaws https://westvancouver.ca/government/bylaws-strategies-reports/bylaws
The District of West Vancouver entered into an agreement with both the District of North Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver establishing an Intermunicipal Business Licence scheme for the North Shore. The specific business category available is “contractor”. The contractor takes out a business licence in the Municipality they reside in, enabling the company to operate in all three participating municipalities. A business licence fee is charged by the resident Municipality plus an Intermunicipal Business Licence fee which is shared amongst the Member Municipalities. This business licence scheme is an option to the contractor and is highly recommended by the District of West Vancouver. For further information, please contact Bylaw and Licencing Services at 604-925-7152.
GOVERNMENT OF BC, MINISTRY OF FINANCE - CORPORATE REGISTRY FORMS
https://www.bcregistryservices.gov.bc.ca
From this page you can download and print, to your own printer, most of the common statutory forms filed with the Corporate Registry.
- B.C. COMPANY FORMS – paper filings
- B.C. COMPANY FORMS – paper versions for your use prior to completing an online filing
- EXTRAPROVINCIAL COMPANY FORMS – paper filings
- EXTRAPROVINCIAL COMPANY FORMS – paper version for your use prior to completing an online filing
- SOCIETY ACT FORMS
- COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION ACT FORMS
- PARTNERSHIP/PROPRIETORSHIP FORMS – including Dissolution or Changes
TO CHANGE A GENERAL PARTERNSHIP OR SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP BUSINESS NAME
The first step is to complete a Name Reservation Form for the new name.
Once the name has been approved the next step is to complete a Dissolution or Change of General Partnership/Sole Proprietorship form (see link above). Complete sections A, B, E, and G. only.
The cost to change the name is the same as registering a new business; however, the business retains its original registration number and registration date, which can be important.
WEST VANCOUVER MEMORIAL LIBRARY - BUSINESS:
We have free wireless internet and many business-related resources, both print and online. Our business related databases and websites are grouped together on our BUSINESS “Info by Topic” page: https://westvanlibrary.ca/research-learn/research/explore-your-topic/business
Meeting Rooms Available – West Vancouver Memorial Library
West Vancouver Memorial Library’s meeting rooms are available for rent by individuals, community groups and commercial enterprises for meetings, seminars, discussion groups or conferences. The Welsh Hall has a room capacity for 120 people, and can also be used as two smaller rooms for 60.
Catering, food and beverages are also available from the Library’s Cafe or a small fee can be added if you are providing food from an outside source.
You can check availability and request a booking online through our website at https://westvanlibrary.ca/visit/library/room-rentals by emailing meetings@westvanlibrary.ca, or by calling the Community Computing Centre at 604-925-7405. Payment can be made online through their website. They would be happy to discuss your meeting room needs or discuss any options with you.
BUSINESS PLAN RESOURCE:
Creating a business plan is integral for starting and running a business. Here is a great resource that outlines step by step the process of writing a business plan and offers additional resources: https://www.discoverbusiness.us/business-plans/
HIRING RESOURCE:
Hiring is the #1 problem that small businesses face today. Here is a great resource the can help you learn the basics of recruiting and avoid the cost of a bad hire: https://nectjobs.com/recruiting/
The West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide links to other sites. These links will automatically open in a new browser window. Some sites have been selected for commonality of subject matter while others have been picked because they contain material we believe our viewers will find useful.
The West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce believes these sites to be credible. We hope you find them interesting and informative. Please be aware, however, that The West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce has no control over these sites or the information located therein and so makes no guarantees about such sites and such information as to accuracy, currency, content, quality or any other characteristic. As with The West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, you should not assume these sites are error-free. The West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for the results of any defects that may exist in these sites, or any consequential damages that may result from use of such sites or from such defects.
To report a broken link or to suggest a link be added, please contact the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce at info@westvanchamber.com.