Commercial watercraft licence
On March 7, 2022, The Kelowna City Council Report adopted the changes to the Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw and the Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw requiring commercial operators to acquire an Annual Municipal Boating Facilities Licence.
This program was launched to address the issue of commercial usage for the City of Kelowna’s boat launch facilities. This has resulted in several complaints, primarily centered around vehicles and boat trailers left unattended in the boat launch, and companies using the area to conduct businesses, thereby restricting others’ access to the launch and causing congestion.
Click on the following to obtain a draft copy of the Commercial Boating Licence.
Businesses that are required to have the Annual Commercial Watercraft License include:
- Those who use the city boat launch and city docking facilities for commercial use.
- Vessels that are primarily operating for profit, normally with paying passengers.
Examples for this are as follows:
- Renting boats or sea-doos.
- Water taxi services.
- Valet services.
- Tour boat operators.
As part of the licensing process, businesses' will be required to:
- Complete the Application Form and submit the following to propertymanagement@kelowna.ca:
- A valid business license with the City.
- Transport Canada Vessel Numbers for each watercraft.
- Trailer license plate number.
- Download the City of Kelowna insurance form and send it to your insurance broker for completion.
- Review and sign the license provided by the City.
- Sign up for pre-authorized debit (PAD) or pay the invoice provided by the City of Kelowna.
- Install the decal provided by the City on your vessel.
New for 2024 - payments can now be made in four equal monthly installments through pre-authorized debit
Step 1: Download the Application Form and fill it out.
Step 2: Email your application and business license to propertymanagement@kelowna.ca.
Step 3: Download the City of Kelowna insurance form and send it to your insurance broker for completion.
Step 4: Review and sign the license provided by the City. Submit it to propertymanagement@kelowna.ca along with your insurance form.
Step 5: Sign up for a pre-authorized debit or pay the invoice provided by the City.
Step 6: Install the decal provided by the City on your vessel.
*Please note, that this is the beginning of the application process. Once documents are emailed to our Property Management Team, they will follow up with the final documentation and billing process.
Payments can be made in four equal monthly installments if you sign up for pre-authorized debit (PAD).
The discussion from the Council Report on February 28, 2022 suggested that the program is to use the revenue generated by these fees to put towards maintenance and capital expenditures through the Municipal Boating Facilities Reserve.
Fines for not having an Annual Commercial Boating Licence:
- Using a City dock to pick up passengers without a permit or license from the City is $500 per occurrence.
- Using a boat launch for watercraft rental, watercraft valet or watercraft boat club without a permit or licence from the City is $500 per boat per occurrence.
- Provide watercraft operation instruction, sell tickets or conduct business in a boat launch $500.
Fines for the general public and commercial use:
- Dock, tie up, beach and or anchor a Watercraft in any way to a wharf, dock, beach sign, tree or any other facility located within or forming part of a Park $500.
- Park or leave a vehicle and/or trailer unattended in a boat launch $500.
This is the initial year of the program and will be revised with Council at the end of each season to make revisions where necessary.
