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Services (old)

  • Start a Business

    • Overview
    • Locating Commercial Space
    • Register Your Business
    • Permits & Licenses
    Starting a business means deciding on the right business structure, securing financing, registering your business name, finding a space, paying corporate taxes and more.
    • This Starting a Small Business Guide can help navigate these steps.
    • Visit our Business Resources section for links to services and resources to help you with all aspects of your business planning and development including conducting market research, securing financing and identifying export markets.
    • Small Business BC offers a great on-line Starting your Business Checklist which breaks down the necessary steps.
    • Contact us for information and guidance throughout the process of establishing your business in Richmond. We’ll make sure you get the help you need.

    Locating Commercial Space

    Once you’re ready to start your business, you’ll need to find the perfect space! We can help with that too.
    • SpaceList is a useful search tools for finding currently available commercial space for purchase or lease. 
    • The City’s Interactive Map tool can help determine if the site is zoned correctly for the proposed use. 
    • Richmond’s Zoning Bylaw can help determine if the zoning allows for the specific business activities on the selected site. 
    • Home Based Business regulations are specific to operating one’s business out of a residence. 
    • Mobile Vendor Information Sheet should be consulted prior to starting a mobile vendor business in Richmond. 
    • Contact us for help finding the perfect Richmond location for your business, and navigating the required municipal permits and licenses.

    Register Your Business

    Before obtaining a municipal business licence to operate in Richmond, you will need to register your business name with the Province of BC.
    • Obtain a Business Number through the BC Business Registry. This will allow you to register for GST, PST, payroll deductions, WorkSafeBC, and other Provincial and Federal business accounts.
    • The Richmond Chamber of Commerce can facilitate and/or expedite your business name approval.
    • Once you’ve registered your business with the Province of BC, you can apply for your City of Richmond business licence.

    Permits & Licenses

    Every business operating within the City of Richmond is required to have a business licence. Depending on your business activity, you may require additional permits and licenses from a variety of regulatory authorities relating to food handling, fire safety, electrical installations, building alternations, commercial vehicles, etc.

    • Use BizPaL to generate a complete and customized list of permits required from all levels of government, or contact us for guidance.
    • Business Licence: Requires every person carrying on a business in the City of Richmond to obtain a Business Licence.
    • Business Regulation: Regulates the operation of licensed businesses.
    • Zoning: Regulates the use of land and buildings.
    • Building Regulation: Regulates the construction of and occupant safety in and about buildings.
    • Sign Regulation: Under this bylaw signs advertising a place of business are required to have a sign permit. Alterations to an existing sign also require a permit.
    • Rezoning Guide: Policies and guidelines for rezoning property in Richmond.
    • Development Permit: Regulates the procedures for the issuance of development permits.
    • Fire Prevention and Life Safety: Relates to the prevention of fire and the control and regulation of fire safety in buildings and premises.
    • Public Health Protection: Regulates the operation of restaurants and food dealers, and general health conditions of business.
    • Vehicles for Hire Regulation: Regulates licensed businesses using vehicles for transporting passengers, including tow trucks, U-drives, driver training vehicles, taxi cabs, buses, limousines.
    • Commercial Vehicle Licensing: Requires that a Municipal Plate be obtained for commercial vehicles or other vehicles used for delivery or transport of goods in connection with a business.

    If you have any questions regarding what licenses or permits your business is required to have, view our Guide to the Business Licence Application Process, or contact the City of Richmond Business Licence Department at 604-276-4328 or [email protected].

  • Grow Your Business

    If you have an existing business in Richmond, the City’s Business Development Program can help you to address specific challenges, resolve operational issues and access opportunities to grow your business.

    We have a network of business development resources, service providers and government programs all dedicated to help you in areas such as expanding your facility, accessing funding programs, training your employees, commercializing a new product and growing your exports.

    To get involved, simply tell us about your business through our intake questionnaire and we will follow up to develop a plan of action. 

    Through this program we can assist in a variety of areas including:
    • Expanding or relocating your business within Richmond.
    • Sourcing economic, property, demographic or other statistical information.
    • Identifying economic development and other incentives.
    • Serving as a liaison between your business and City departments and other government agencies.
    • Connecting you with local and regional business services and resources.
    • Facilitating municipal permits, licenses and processes.
    • Helping you identify new markets, source suppliers or hire employees.

     

    Start Now
  • Move Your Business to Richmond

    • Overview
    • Locating Commercial Space
    • Industry & Market Intelligence
    • Incentives
    Think Richmond for the future location of your business. Learn about some of the key competitive advantages this city can provide, including its strategic location, unparalleled logistics networks, and affordable commercial space. Contact us and we’ll make sure you have what’s needed to build your business case for Richmond as the new home for your business.

    Locating Commercial Space

    • SpaceList is a useful search tools for finding currently available commercial space for purchase or lease. 
    • The City’s Interactive Map tool can help determine if the site is zoned correctly for the proposed use. 
    • Richmond’s Zoning Bylaw can help determine if the zoning allows for the specific business activities on the selected site. 
    • Contact us for help finding the perfect Richmond location for your business, and navigating the required municipal permits and licenses.

    Industry & Market Intelligence

    Local Richmond-specific economic, industry and market data is available to assist with your business case.

    • Visit Data Centre for statistics and trends related to the local economy.
    • Visit Key Sectors for insight into Richmond’s industry and sector capabilities.
    • Use the Business Directory to view, filter or download information on 13,000+ local businesses.
    • Contact us for more insights into the economic development climate and business and investment opportunities in Richmond, British Columbia.

    Incentives

    A range of incentives are available to British Columbia businesses.

    • Visit the Key Sectors section for industry-specific incentives, or Business Costs & Incentives for more general incentives.
    • Use the Funding Portal to search a database of 7000+ public and private funding sources.
    • Contact us to learn more about the specific incentives available for your industry.
  • Self-Serve Toolbox

    Space & Facilities

    Search all commercial and industrial real estate listings to find the perfect business location.

    Go

    Data & Intel

    Explore interactive, up-to-date statistics on housing & development, tourism & trade, business growth, commercial space and more.

    Go

    Sector Profiles

    View, download or print information about Richmond’s key sectors including major employers and government incentives.

    Go

    Links to Funding

    Find available capital, loans and grants through a database of 7000+ government and private funding sources.

    Go

    Permits & Licenses

    Generate a custom list of required business permits and licenses from all levels of government, in one place.

    Go

    Interactive Map

    Use Richmond’s dynamic mapping system to find information on commercial properties such as zoning, rights of way, legal details and tax values.

    Go

    Business Directory

    View, filter or download information on 13,000+ Richmond businesses.

    Go

  • Business Resources

    Market Research Financing & Investment
    Human Resources & Training Importing, Exporting & Trade Development
    Technology Commercialization & Intellectual Property Government Procurement
    E-Commerce Buying, Selling or Exiting a Business
    Business Planning & Startup Permits, Licenses & Business Regulations
    Market Research

    BC Statistics Statistics Canada Trade & Invest British Columbia Trade Commissioner Service BC Site Selector Guide BC Global Business Accelerator Small Business BC Canada Business Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

    Financing & Investment

    BC Venture Capital Program
    Richmond Funding Portal
    Government of Canada Funding Concierge
    Canada Business Network
    Small Business BC
    Women’s Enterprise Centre
    BC Provincial Nominee Program
    Sustainable Development Technology Canada
    BC Renaissance Capital Fund
    Business Development Bank of Canada CanExport Program
    Startup Visa Futurpreneur

    Human Resources & Training

    Avia Employment Centre
    Work BC
    Industry Training Authority
    BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Skills Training
    BC Provincial Nominee Program
    Get Youth Working
    Mitacs

    Importing, Exporting & Trade Development

    Import/Export Guide
    Canada Border Services Agency
    Trade & Invest British Columbia
    Export Development Canada
    BC Global Business Accelerator
    Canada Business Network
    The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
    Small Business BC
    CanExport

    Technology Commercialization and Intellectual Property

    Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative
    Canadian Intellectual Property Office
    Canada Business Network
    Build in Canada Program
    Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada
    Sustainable Development Technology Canada

    Government Procurement

    BC Bid
    Build in Canada Innovation Program
    City of Richmond Tenders & Proposals
    Merx
    Office of the Procurement Ombudsman

    E-Commerce
    Canadian Internet Registration Authority
    Small Business BC
    Canada Business Network
    Buying, Selling or Exiting a Business

    Venture Connect
    Business Development Bank of Canada
    Canadian Franchise Association
    ICX Business Listings

    Business Planning & Start-up

    BC Ministry of Employment, Business & Economic Development
    Small Business BC
    Canada Business
    Business Development Bank of Canada
    BizPaL Online Business Permits and Licences Futurpreneur

    Permits, Licensing & Business Regulations

    BizPaL Online Business Permits and Licences
    BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Innovation
    BC Corporate Registry
    Corporations Canada
    Canadian Franchise Association
    BC Business Registry
    Canada Business
    One Stop BC Business Registry
    International Business Activity Program

    Market Research

    BC Statistics Statistics Canada Trade & Invest British Columbia Trade Commissioner Service BC Site Selector Guide BC Global Business Accelerator Small Business BC Canada Business Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

    Financing & Investment

    BC Venture Capital Program Richmond Funding Portal Government of Canada Funding Concierge Canada Business Network Small Business BC Women’s Enterprise Centre BC Provincial Nominee Program International Business Activity Program Sustainable Development Technology Canada BC Renaissance Capital Fund Business Development Bank of Canada BC Micro Business Training Program Startup Visa

    Human Resources & Training

    Avia Employment Centre Work BC BC Jobs Plan Industry Training Authority BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Skills Training BC Provincial Nominee Program Get Youth Working Mitacs BC Micro Business Training Program

    Importing, Exporting & Trade Development

    Import/Export Guide Canada Border Services Agency Trade & Invest British Columbia Export Development Canada BC Global Business Accelerator Canada Business Network The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service Small Business BC

    Technology Commercialization and Intellectual Property

    Western Innovation (WINN) Initiative Canadian Intellectual Property Office Canada Business Network Build in Canada Program Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada Sustainable Development Technology Canada

    Government Procurement

    BC Bid Build in Canada Innovation Program City of Richmond Tenders & Proposals Merx Office of the Procurement Ombudsman

    E-Commerce
    Canadian Internet Registration Authority Small Business BC Canada Business Network
    Buying, Selling or Exiting a Business

    Venture Connect Business Development Bank of Canada Canadian Franchise Association ICX Business Listings

    Business Planning

    BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Innovation Small Business BC Canada Business Business Development Bank of Canada BizPaL Online Business Permits and Licences

    Permits, Licensing & Business Regulations

    BizPaL Online Business Permits and Licences BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism & Innovation BC Corporate Registry Corporations Canada Canadian Franchise Association BC Business Registry Canada Business One Stop BC Business Registry

  • Contact

    The Richmond economic development team can assist you with:
    • identifying a Richmond location for your business
    • expanding or relocating your business within Richmond
    • sourcing economic, property, demographic or other statistical information
    • identifying incentives for locating in Richmond
    • serving as a liaison between your business and City departments and other government agencies
    • connecting your business with local and regional business services and resources
    • facilitating municipal permits, licenses and processes

     

    Contact the Richmond Economic Development Office at
    [email protected] or call:

     

    Katie Ferland, Acting Economic Development Manager
    Phone: 604-247-4923

     

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