Burnaby Food Business Licence Requirements

Public Health and Welfare British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published May 24, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

Burnaby, British Columbia requires both a municipal business licence and provincial health approvals for food businesses. The City of Burnaby issues business licences for food retailers, restaurants, mobile vendors and other commercial food operators; see the City licensing pages for application steps and fee schedules.Visit City of Burnaby licence info[1] Provincial food-safety permits and inspections are administered by Fraser Health under the Public Health Act; operators must register and meet the Food Premises Regulation.Fraser Health food safety info[2]

What licences and approvals are commonly required

Most food businesses in Burnaby need:

  • City of Burnaby business licence for the relevant business class
  • Fraser Health Food Premises Permit or registration under provincial rules
  • Building or plumbing permits if renovations or commercial kitchen fit-outs are required
  • Regular health inspections and compliance with food safety standards
Apply for both the city licence and the health permit well before opening to avoid delays.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is shared: the City of Burnaby enforces municipal licence requirements and bylaw compliance, while Fraser Health enforces food safety under the Public Health Act and Food Premises Regulation. Specific monetary fines and penalty amounts for municipal business licence breaches or provincial food-safety violations are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed on the linked official pages below.[1][2]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page
  • Escalation: first, repeat and continuing offence procedures not specified on the cited page
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to comply, suspension or revocation of permits, seizure or disposition of unsafe food, and court prosecution are available to regulators
  • Enforcer: City of Burnaby Licensing/Bylaw Enforcement for municipal licence breaches; Fraser Health Environmental Health Officers for food-safety enforcement
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: use City of Burnaby licensing and bylaw contact pages and Fraser Health complaint/reporting channels
  • Appeal/review: appeal routes and timelines for municipal licence decisions or provincial orders are not specified on the cited pages; check the respective pages for appeal procedures and statutory time limits
If a notice or order is issued, follow the directions immediately and contact the issuing office to discuss remedies.

Applications & Forms

Application names and submission methods are published by each authority. Typical documents and where to begin:

  • City of Burnaby business licence application: online or city counter; fees vary by business type and are listed on the City site.[1]
  • Fraser Health Food Premises Permit or registration application: forms and registration guidance on the Fraser Health site; submission and inspection booking handled by Fraser Health.[2]
  • Fees: fee schedules for licences and permits are provided on the official pages; specific amounts depend on class and scope

Inspections, Compliance & Common Violations

Environmental Health Officers inspect for safe food handling, equipment standards, sanitation, pest control and temperature control. Common violations include inadequate handwashing facilities, poor food temperature records, and improper storage of allergens.

  • Inspections: scheduled pre-opening inspections and routine compliance visits
  • Records: keep cleaning logs, temperature logs and supplier traceability records
  • Common violations: inadequate hygiene, cross-contamination risks, and missing documentation
Maintain written food-safety plans and records to reduce enforcement risk.

How to

  1. Plan: determine your business class and required permits early in the project timeline.
  2. Apply: submit your City business licence application and Fraser Health registration or permit application.
  3. Prepare for inspection: ensure equipment, layout and documentation meet regulatory standards.
  4. Pay fees: pay applicable licence and permit fees as instructed on official pages.
  5. Open with compliance: pass required inspections and maintain records for ongoing operations.

FAQ

Do I need a City of Burnaby business licence to sell food?
Yes, most commercial food operations need a City of Burnaby business licence and provincial food-safety approval.
Who inspects food safety in Burnaby?
Fraser Health Environmental Health Officers conduct food-safety inspections and issue permits under provincial law.
How long does it take to get licences and permits?
Processing times vary by application and workload; plan ahead and contact City licensing and Fraser Health for current timelines.

Key Takeaways

  • Secure both a City business licence and Fraser Health permit before opening.
  • Prepare documentation and facility standards to pass inspections.
  • Contact City of Burnaby and Fraser Health early for guidance.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Burnaby - Business licences
  2. [2] Fraser Health - Food safety

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data