Food business permits and licences in BC
No business needs all of these. Your business type’s page lists the ones that apply to you, in order — this is the full list, grouped by who asks for it.
Health approvals
Plan approval for your food premisesIsland HealthHealth operating permitIsland HealthApproval to operateIsland HealthFood safety plan and sanitation planYou write them; Island Health approves themYour own approval in a shared or rented kitchenIsland HealthMobile food unit approval or permitIsland HealthTemporary Food Service PermitIsland HealthLetter of Confirmation for higher-risk food at marketsIsland HealthThe “not inspected” sign at your market tableMarket guidelinepH or water-activity test from an accredited labA commercial food-testing laboratoryKeeping kombucha and other ferments at or under 1% alcoholIsland Health (your food safety plan); LCRB above 1%
Municipal
Fire department inspection of your truckYour municipality’s fire departmentWhere a food truck may park and sellYour municipalityMunicipal business licenceYour municipalityHome-based business zoningYour municipalityZoning for your food businessYour municipalityBuilding permit for alterations or a change of useYour municipalityFire safety: kitchen hood, suppression and inspectionYour fire departmentGrease interceptorThe CRD in Greater Victoria; your municipality elsewherePatio and sign permitsYour municipality
Provincial
Slaughter licence: Abattoir, Farmgate Plus or FarmgateBC Ministry of Agriculture and FoodPremises ID registrationBC Ministry of Agriculture and FoodChicken small-lot permit or turkey Direct Vendor licenceBC Chicken / BC Turkey Marketing BoardEgg flock permitBC Egg Marketing BoardFisher vendor licenceBC Ministry of Agriculture and FoodSeafood processor licenceBC Ministry of Agriculture and FoodDairy plant licenceBC Centre for Disease Control (Milk Industry Act)Beekeeper and apiary registrationBC Ministry of Agriculture and FoodFarm store rules on Agricultural Land Reserve landAgricultural Land CommissionBC Vegetable Marketing Commission licenceBC Vegetable Marketing CommissionOrganic certificationA certification body under the BC Certified Organic Program or the Canada Organic RegimeFood primary liquor licenceLiquor and Cannabis Regulation BranchManufacturer licence: brewery, winery or distilleryLiquor and Cannabis Regulation BranchSales agreement with the Liquor Distribution BranchBC Liquor Distribution BranchSpecial event permit (liquor)Liquor and Cannabis Regulation BranchMarket authorization for alcohol at farmers’ marketsLiquor and Cannabis Regulation BranchGas approval for a food truckTechnical Safety BCDeposits on drinks in containersBC Recycling Regulation (Encorp / Return-It)Bags, takeout containers and utensilsFederal, provincial and municipal rulesThe Buy BC logoGovernment of British ColumbiaGas and propane workTechnical Safety BC
Federal
Federal food labelsCFIA and Health Canada rulesSafe Food for Canadians licenceCanadian Food Inspection AgencyLivestock ID tags and movement reportingCanadian Food Inspection AgencyFederal excise licenceCanada Revenue AgencyA process authority for canned low-acid foodsA thermal-processing expert (process authority)Nutrition Facts values and a best-before dateYou, checked against CFIA’s rulesA legal-for-trade scale, if you price by weightMeasurement Canada