Bed and Breakfast Start-Up

The following information is intended to provide a better understanding of license, permit and registration requirements for establishing a Bed and Breakfast in the Yukon. The extent to which the information will apply to you will depend on the circumstances related to your situation. Although many of your questions will be answered in this document, the list is of resources given here is not exhaustive.

This info-guide should be read in conjunction with our Business Start-Up Info-Guide, which provides additional license, permit and registration information that is applicable to all types of new businesses.

Entrepreneurs should also read the document Starting a Bed and Breakfast , which outlines a series of possible steps and issues to consider when starting up a Bed and Breakfast business.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Regulations
2. Associations
3. Resources

1. Regulations

Hotel and Tourism Establishments Act – Government of Yukon (Department of Tourism and Culture)

Bed and Breakfast businesses in the Yukon are subject to the Hotel and Tourism Establishments Act.

For more information, please call the Department of Tourism and Culture at (867)667-5632 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408 local 5632.

Copies of the Act can also be obtained from the territorial Queen's Printer for a nominal fee by calling (867) 667-8573.

Public Health and Safety Act - Government of Yukon (Environmental Health Services)
Bed and Breakfast businesses in the Yukon are subject to the Public Health and Safety Act.

In most Yukon municipalities, you will need to speak to Environmental Health Services before proceeding with your business license.  Although a permit from Environmental Health Services is not needed in order for you to operate your Bed and Breakfast, you are required to meet all applicable regulations pursuant to the Public Health and Safety Act. Those of particular interest are:

• Public Health Regulations
• Sewage Disposal Systems Regulation
• Public Pool Regulations

Your district Environmental Health Officer (health inspector) will review general public health/hygiene standards, food service, drinking water supply, sewage and solid waste disposal, and (if applicable) the operation of a hot tub or swimming pool.

To assist you, you may obtain the Health Assessment Checklist for Bed & Breakfast Operations and the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association Food Safety Code of Practice from Environmental Health Services.

If you are not on municipal services, be aware that you will need to have an approved sewage disposal system (e.g., on-site septic system), and a safe drinking water supply (e.g., well, delivered water). Environmental Heatlh Services offers free bacteriological testing of drinking water (usually done annually). You will need to contact the Environmental Health Services office to obtain the appropriate form/instructions and water sample bottle. Environmental Heatlh Services also recommends that you have a chemical analysis done at least every five years on your well. Although this service is not offered in territory, Environmental Health Services can provide you information on accredited labs. The cost including shipping is around $250 for a standard drinking water package.

For more information, please call Environmental Health Services at (867) 667-8391 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408 local 8391 or visit their Website at http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/programs/health/environmental/

Land Use and Zoning
In Whitehorse, the following Specific Use Regulations apply to Bed and Breakfast businesses. Other Whitehorse zoning bylaws may apply depending on your location and situation.

Specific Use Regulations (Whitehorse)

6.4.1 Bed and breakfast lodgings shall comply with the following regulations:

a) The regulations of any zone within this bylaw shall apply to the development of a bed and breakfast lodging in that zone;

b) Vehicular traffic generated by bed and breakfast lodging shall not be inexcess of that which is characteristic of the zone in which it is located;

c) The bed and breakfast shall be operated by a live-in owner as an accessory use only, with a maximum 4 commercial accommodation units in each development in a commercial or the RC1, RC2, RD1, and RD2 zones; and 2 commercial accommodation units in other residential zones where permitted;

d) Bed and breakfast lodging shall not change the principal residential character or external appearance of the dwelling involved; and

e) Bed and breakfast lodgings shall not be approved where approval would result in a concentration of more than three on a group of adjacent sites, or within a block, in such a way as to alter the residential character of the area.

For more information, please call the local municipal office (see the document Business Start-Up Info-Guide for contact information) in the area where your business will be located. In Whitehorse call the Planning Department at (867) 668-8334.

For unincorporated municipalities, call the Government of Yukon (Department of Community Services) at (867) 667-8945 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408 local 8945.

Building Inspections
An inspection of your Bed and Breakfast establishment by a Building Official is required to ensure that minimum Health, Fire and Life Safety items are met. Inspection guidelines for Bed and Breakfast establisments within the Whitehorse city limits are available from the Building Inspection Department.

For more information call the City of Whitehorse Building Inspection Department at (867) 668-8340.

For all other Yukon communities, please call the Government of Yukon (Building Safety Branch) at (867) 667-5741 / Toll Free (In Yukon) 1-800-661-0408, local 5741 or visit their Web site at http://www.community.gov.yk.ca/buildingsafety/index.html

2. Associations

Bed and Breakfast Association of the Yukon

Consider contacting the Bed and Breakfast Association of the Yukon to network with other bed and breakfast operators who are willing to share their expertise. This is a professional association for all Bed and Breakfast owners in the Yukon. They have a lending library of books, videos, and audio tapes to help new bed and breakfasts get started. Ask for a copy of the Bed and Breakfast Standards Self Check List.

For more information, please call Mo Hartigan at (867) 660-4410 or visit the Bed and Breakfast Association Web site at http://www.yukonbandb.com/membership.html

Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon

As the umbrella organization for tourism in the Yukon, The Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon's purpose is to ensure that tourism remains a strong, vibrant and sustainable industry across the territory.

For more information, please call (867) 668-3331 or visit their Web site at http://www.tiayukon.com

3. Resources

Books

Start and Run a Bed Breakfast by Monica and Richard Taylor (3rd Edition) – Published by Self-Counsel Press

Tourism Yukon Industry Resource Centre

The Resource Centre is comprised of a library of cataloged print materials, visitor statistics, videos and CD-ROM products. Internet access and free industry reports are available for all your tourism researching needs.

For more information, call (867) 667-5449 or visit their Website at http://www.tirc.gov.yk.ca/

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
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