The City of Fernie is reviewing its business licence fee to ensure they remain fair, competitive, and reflective of the actual costs of administering the business licence program. As part of this review, the City is seeking input from local businesses on two proposed approaches to updating fees.
Fernie’s current business licence fee has remained at $100 per year, unchanged for many years despite rising administrative costs and enforcement demands. Staff time spent on business licensing is estimated at over $89,000 annually, not including other expenses such as postage and materials.
A comparison with other municipalities also shows that Fernie’s business licence fees are below average. Updating the structure would help make the program financially sustainable while better aligning with the services provided to the business community.
The City is exploring two potential approaches:
Option 1: Across-the-Board Increase
• The annual fee for all businesses would rise from $100 to $150, applying evenly across all business types (except short-term rentals).
Option 2: Tiered Fee Structure
Fees would vary depending on business type and impact:
• Home-based businesses: $75
• Standard businesses: $200
• High-impact businesses (e.g., large, high-traffic commercial operations): $500–$700
This option aims to better reflect the differing levels of oversight and service required for various types of businesses.
The City emphasizes that community input will play an important role in shaping the final proposal. By engaging with local businesses, Council hopes to ensure that any changes are fair, transparent, and aligned with the needs of Fernie’s diverse business sectors.
The updated fee structure is expected to be presented to Council for consideration in fall 2025.
A short survey has been launched to gather feedback on the two proposed approaches. Businesses are encouraged to take part before the survey closes on September 12, 2025.
