If you’re interested in operating a business within the District of Squamish, you will need a District of Squamish Business License. To find a list of all other applicable permits you may need from other agencies, refer to Bizpal.ca, which will guide you through the permit/s you may require for your particular business. For example, food service companies will require additional permits from Vancouver Coastal Health.

In addition to our team’s services, Squamish has a variety of great organizations that are dedicated to supporting businesses. We recommend connecting with the following organizations:

• Squamish Chamber of Commerce
• Tourism Squamish
• Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association
• Community Futures Howe Sound
• WorkBC Sea to Sky

In addition, the following provincial and national organizations also provide great support services to Squamish businesses:

• Small Business BC
• Futurpreneur Canada
• WeBC

The following research resources can support business plan development:

• Squamish Economic Development Community Dashboard
• Squamish Open Data
• District of Squamish Economic Development Department research & publications
• Squamish Chamber of Commerce research
• Squamish Public Library Databases

As a department within the local municipality, the Economic Development Department is governed by Community Charter legislation that prohibits us from providing assistance to business. We recommend considering joining one of Squamish’s excellent membership-based organizations, such as the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Squamish, or the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association. These organizations can support the marketing and promotion of their member businesses through ongoing initiatives.

Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, the Canadian Business Benefits Finder is a helpful tool to navigate all the different funding programs that may suit your business. The Government of Canada’s Innovation Advisor Service can also connect you to grants, funding, and incentive programs that suit your business and growth plans.

You can find designated zoning for each area within the District of Squamish using the District’s WebMap tool. To see the zoning information overlaid on the map, click the small arrow beside “I want to”, which will expand a menu of different layers you can use. Select the Zoning layer, which will overlay the zoning information on top of the map. Click on individual parcels to learn about the zoning designation.

When you’re ready to lease or acquire a property for your business, we always recommend confirming that your intended activities will conform to the zoning for the site. To confirm, contact the District’s Community Planning Department, either by email at [email protected] or by phone during regular business hours, at 604-815-5002.

The District’s Real Estate Services team can support you, through Expressions of Interest opportunities and custom property enquiries. Visit Real Estate’s website for more information. You can also learn about the District’s Real Estate Facilities Master Plan, which was updated in 2021.

The Development Showcase map indicates all active development permits in the District of Squamish.

The Squamish2040 Official Community Plan (OCP) is the overarching vision and guiding document for the future of Squamish, providing direction for change and development in the community over time.

The District’s Economic Development Community Dashboard publishes a variety of economic indicators, including Lease Rates and Commercial Space, which reports on the average price per square foot of leased commercial space in Squamish, in comparison to Abbotsford, BC.

Refer to the District’s Home, Land, and Property Development website to access all the information you’ll need to explore building permits and/or land development in Squamish.

Squamish is a fast-growing community, with an estimated population of 23,300 as of November 2021. The Squamish population is expected to increase by an average of 2% per year, driven by migration from other regions of B.C., other provinces across Canada, and international immigration. Squamish population is expected to reach 35,800 residents by 2040.

Squamish has a diverse local economy, with emerging opportunities in sustainable tourism and hospitality, craft food, beverage, and agriculture, outdoor recreation, and green economy, among many other thriving sectors. For more detailed information about our core sectors, please refer to the Squamish Overview dashboard.

Squamish has a youthful and highly-educated workforce. View data about Squamish’s labourforce in this Squamish Labour Force dashboard. 

The following sites may help with your job posting:

• The Squamish Chamber of Commerce maintains a free local Squamish Jobs Board on Facebook, and any business can participate by posting a local Squamish job opportunity.
• WorkBC Sea to Sky also maintains a free Job Postings Page. To request posting your job opportunity, you can email the team at [email protected].
  

The tourism-specific website go2HR provides a free job posting service for tourism and hospitality jobs in BC, through their go2HR Job Board.

Hiring and retaining talent can be one of the most challenging areas for business growth. We always suggest connecting with our local Squamish WorkBC Sea to Sky services center for support. They offer a free job board, as well as hiring fairs, and they also offer complimentary advising to help you find suitable candidates.

In addition, have you considered hiring students, through internships, Co-op placements, and/or apprenticeships? Capilano University and other BC tertiary institutions are a great resource for educated students for internships and work-integrated learning placements. In addition, many student hiring subsidies are available each year through organizations such as MITACS, the Government of Canada Summer Jobs program, Innovate BC’s hiring grants, and universities’ Co-op offices.

Hiring candidates from diverse backgrounds, including from vulnerable and under-represented groups, can also be an effective strategy. WorkBC’s Skills Training for Employment Program meets the needs of vulnerable and under-represented groups by providing skills training and employment supports.