Starting Your Business
Thinking of starting a business but not sure where to start? The following resources will help you along the way.
Thinking of Starting a Business
Starting a Small Business Guide
- New Business Checklist
- Planning a business
- Choosing a business name
- Registering your business with the government
- Applying for business permits and licences
- Getting business support and financing
- Free tax help for your business
- Forms of Business Organizations – which one is right for you?
- Business Plan Format Guideline
- Business Plan template
- Cash flow statement template
Franchise Opportunities in Canada
Incorporating your Business
Seeking an Online Incorporation
Keeping your Corporation in Good Standing
Permits and Licences
- Identify business permits and licences you may require to start your business
- Services and requirements for natural resource related businesses
Registration
- Register your business and business name (see below)
- Get a BCeID to access online government business services
City of Surrey Business Resources
Additional Resources
- Aboriginal business services
- Resources for women entrepreneurs in BC
- Government of BC Employment, Business and Economic Development
- WorkBC Self Employment Program
Starting up a business or association involves three basic steps:
- A Name Search using the Name Approval Request Application Form
- Business Registration or Incorporation
- Obtain a Business License (from the City Hall of the city you plan to conduct a business in)
Step 1: Name Approval Requests processed through the Surrey Board of Trade:
- $75 + applicable GST per search, in person or by email to info@businessinsurrey.com (Visa/MasterCard/Amex only for email submissions). Note that the wait time for results from the Provincial Government is generally 14-40 days.
- An additional $100 for a priority search, which provides results within 1-2 business days.
Step 2: Register Your Business or Association
Register Your Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership at the Surrey Board of Trade
- $110 + applicable GST, registered by our staff
Incorporate Your Business
To complete the incorporation of a company (Ltd., Inc., Corp.) you may file your paperwork online or contact a lawyer to assist you with the process.
Incorporate Your Society or Association
Step 3: Contact your local City Hall to obtain a business license.
This is a permit to operate in the city. The City of Surrey requires that all businesses in Surrey hold a valid business license, a requirement that the Surrey Board of Trade supports.
Before a business license is issued to the business it must conform to all applicable City of Surrey by-laws. Please contact the By-Law and Licensing Department at 604.591.4370 or in person at Surrey City Hall located at 2nd Floor, 13450 104 Avenue, Surrey to determine which by-laws are applicable to your business and how to obtain a business license. You may also visit surrey.ca for more information.
BizPaL Online Business Permits and Licences
BizPaL is an innovative online service that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to information about business permits, licences and other requirements needed to start, operate and grow your business from the federal, provincial/territorial and participating municipal governments.
Benefits of BizPaL
Finding out which government requirements apply to a certain business type can be time consuming and frustrating. BizPaL was created to help identify what you may require, quickly and easily. The information you need is available from a single source; entrepreneurs spend less time dealing with red tape – saving effort and money in the process – and more time building their business. The service is the result of combined efforts by the federal, provincial/territorial and participating municipal governments and is designed with the following benefits in mind:
- It’s free to use
- It saves time
- It’s available 24/7
