Doing Business

Kitimat is known for being a marvel of nature and industry. The benefits of living in Kitimat include a thriving economy and a bounty of business opportunities, balanced alongside a comfortable, relaxed lifestyle.

You choose more when you choose Kitimat: natural opportunities, a varied economy and home to the largest private sector investment in Canadian history, LNG Canada. Future growth prospects for Kitimat are strong. Kitimat boasts a younger population than the rest of the province, and is abundant with potential.

This is the time and place to start your own business. Kitimat needs new businesses from across all sectors.

Business incentive programs

Commercial Centre Revitalization Tax Exemption Program

The Commercial Centre Revitalization Tax Exemption will provide eligible business owners with a 50 per cent reduction in their municipal property taxes, potentially up to 10 years, for improvements made to their buildings, including for work to their business’ exterior.

Improvements to the building must be at least $50,000, with at least $25,000 applied to the building’s exterior. Successful applications will see a five-year reduction in their municipal property taxes but additional work could see an exemption extended for 10 years.

View the program guidelines here to find out the full eligibility requirements, and find all the required documentation and forms for an application.

Façade Improvement Program

In partnership with Northern Development Initiative Trust, the District of Kitimat offers eligible businesses up to $5,000 (50% of project costs) to do improvements to the outside of your business. Projects that are eligible include:

New siding
New paint
Exterior lighting (new but not replacement)
Permanent patios
Exterior surfaces and details (decorative details, moldings, trims etc.)
Signage
Windows (only if part of larger enhancements)
Entrances and doorways (if part of larger enhancements)
And more…

Applications are due November 1, 2022. We encourage you to reach out early if you are considering applying.

See the full program guidelines and application package here

Love Kitimat

Love Kitimat is a ‘shop local’ program available to independent, non-franchise businesses located in Kitimat. For $100, businesses get a professional photography session, a page on LoveKitimat.ca, a professional write-up on your page, and features in ‘shop local’ events and promotions. Your business also becomes eligible to redeem Love Bucks, which are coupons that can be redeemed like cash by customers. This means an influx of local dollars to your business.

Business licensing

All businesses operating within the District of Kitimat require a Business Licence. Fees for Business Licenses are outlined in pages 150-153 of the Kitimat Municipal Code.

Complete a Business Licence application form here. Applications can be emailed to our finance department here or dropped off at the District’s municipal office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Home-based businesses

All home-based businesses require a Business Licence. There are two types of home-based business categories and they have different regulations associated with them.

Home Business Address

Under a Home Business Address, you can use your house address as the business address. Business-related communication is limited to mail, phone, or online. Under a Home Business Address, clients, employees and suppliers do not visit your home to conduct business. Goods associated with the business (total area up to 25 square meters) may be stored at the address.

Businesses under this category are permitted in all residential (R) and greenbelt (G) zones. Find out what zone your home is in here.

Home Occupation

Under the Home Occupation category, businesses can display and sell goods and personal services out of a home. This category of business is permitted in all residential (R) (except R1-A and R5-A zones) and greenbelt (G) zones. If you wish to operate a Home Occupation businesses in an R1-A zone, please complete a Temporary Use Permit application.

Find out what zone your home is in here.

The Home Business Fact Sheet is a great resource for more information on home-based business types, temporary use permits, and more.

Starting a Business

There are plenty of reasons to start your business in Kitimat. With so much activity in the region, there are significant opportunities for the sale of goods and services in Kitimat.

If you’re considering starting a business in Kitimat, reach out to Economic Development today for resources and support. We can help you with:

Finding financing
Understanding land use and licencing requirements
Conducting market research
Business plan supports
Building business connections in the community
Marketing and advertising efforts
And more…

Download our Starting a Business in Kitimat Guide to help get you started.