Statutory requirements
Statutory requirements are conditions a business must meet because legislation requires them, such as holding a licence, filing reports, keeping records, collecting taxes or following safety standards. The phrase is descriptive; the actual requirements depend on the statute, the industry and where the business operates.
How BC law treats it
Requirements for BC businesses come from federal statutes, such as the Income Tax Act and the Excise Tax Act for GST, provincial statutes, such as the Business Corporations Act, SBC 2002, c 57 (BCBCA) and the Employment Standards Act, and municipal bylaws, including business licences. Each level of government enforces its own requirements.
What it means for your business
Map the federal, provincial and municipal requirements for your industry when you start or expand a business.
Risks and common mistakes
Operating without a required municipal business licence or provincial permit can lead to fines and orders to stop operating.
Browse the full Fulcrum Law Dictionary for related terms.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
