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New Applications

The following outlines the process for obtaining a business licence. Before you purchase or sign a lease for your business location, check with the Enquiry Centre and Building Branch first to ensure you can occupy the premises for the type of business for which you are applying. There are different requirements under the Zoning & Development By-law and Building By-law for the different uses. Each space in a building has its own specific approved use and sometimes the use of that space cannot be changed without an approval and/or a permit. Please note that if you operate more than one store, branch, premises or place of business in respect of any business, trade, profession or other occupation, you will be required to take out a separate licence in respect to each location.

To obtain basic information on each permit and licence, please visit BizPaL Globe. BizPaL is an online tool that will provide you with information on permits and licences from three levels of government based on a simple question-and-answer wizard. It is designed to benefit your business if you are just starting up or expanding.

Please note that business insurance is not mandatory to open a business in Vancouver. For more information on business insurance, visit Small Business BC Globe.

» How and Where to Apply for a Business Licence
» Processing Time
» Application Forms
» Home-Based Business Licence Applications
» Approvals
» Fees

How and Where to Apply for a Business Licence

Business Licence applications can be made:

    • By email at licenseoffice@vancouver.ca;

    • By fax at 604.871.6394;

    • By mail at:
      City of Vancouver
      Community Services
      Licence Office
      453 West 12th Avenue
      Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4

    • Online through the OneStop Business Registry Globe[Please note that this is a public sector partnership that offers integrated business registration, business address change and liquor licensing services based on the business number. Through OneStop, you can apply for a City of Vancouver business licence by (a) completing an online application form AND (b) printing out and completing a Municipal Information Package. The Municipal Information Package must be submitted to the City of Vancouver with a $50 non-refundable application fee. You can submit this package by email, mail, fax or in person. If you are submitting this through email or fax, the $50 non-refundable application fee will be billed to you]; or

    • In person at the City of Vancouver Licence Office, 2nd Floor East Wing, 453 West 12th Avenue between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday

You will be required to present a form of current photo identification upon application. If you are submitting your application by email, please attach a scanned copy of your ID. If you are submitting your application by fax or mail, please attach a photocopy of your ID. Acceptable forms of picture identification include:

    • Canadian Driver's Licence;
    • Canadian identity card;
    • Passport issued by the Government of origin;
    • Certificate of Indian Status issued by the Government of Canada;
    • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship issued by the Government of Canada; or
    • Conditional Release Card issued by Correctional Services Canada.

If a representative is applying for the licence on your behalf, a letter of authorization and picture identification of you, the business owner, and of the representative are required.

If your company name is limited or incorporated, you will also be required to submit a copy of the provincial or extraprovincial certificate of incorporation along with a list of directors issued by BC Corporate Registry Globe. A federal certificate of incorporation issued by Industry Canada will not be accepted.

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Processing Time

The time required to process a business licence can vary, depending on the type of application and the time of year. If ALL requirements and approvals have been met, an application made in person can be issued on the same day and an application that is received by fax, mail, or email may take 2-3 weeks for processing. An application that is received during the licence renewal period (from November to February) may take 6 - 8 weeks for processing. After the application is processed, a bill will be mailed out and the business licence will be issued after the payment is received.

If you are planning to come into our office during the licence renewal period (from November to February), please expect lengthy waiting times.

Application Forms

To apply for a business licence, you must complete and submit the appropriate application form(s). These forms are available at the Licence Office and are also available to download in PDF format:

    • General Business Licence Application PDF(109kb) - For commercial/industrial, home-based, and out of town businesses. Please submit a non-refundable application fee of $50.00 with your application form. If you are submitting your application by email or fax, this fee will be billed to you.
    • Home-Based Business Licence Application PDF(40kb) - Additional requirement for applicants who will be doing business from a residence in the City of Vancouver only. You will be required to submit it with proof that you reside at that residence (e.g., property tax, utility bill, driver's licence, lease agreement, etc.).

*For a special event, late night dance event, rental property, soliciting for charity, teenage dance, or a temporary filming business, please use the following forms instead:

    • A special event includes an exhibition, show, concert or sporting event. More info ›››

      If the event will be taking place on City street, public property or private property with anticipated impacts to residents or businesses, please contact the Film and Special Events Office.

      If alcohol is being sold or served at the event, a Special Occasion Licence (SOL) from the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) is required.

        • For private events (i.e., weddings, anniversaries, christenings, etc.), contact any Provincial Government liquor store.
        • For public events (i.e., Folkfest, Car-Free Days, etc.), please contact the Vancouver Police Department at 604.717.3076.

      For more information on SOLs, please contact the LCLB Globe

    • Late Night Dance Event PDF(39kb) - dance or music event which occurs between 2:00 am to 6:00 am but does not include an event taking place in a private residence. More info ›››

    • Rental Property PDF(66kb) - a rental property includes an apartment house, duplex, laneway house, multiple dwelling, one family dwelling, pre-1956 dwelling, residential/commercial building and secondary suite. A secondary suite must meet all requirements of the Secondary Suites Program prior to the licence issuance. More info ›››

    • Soliciting for Charity PDF(50kb) - society that want to solicit for charity either by phone, mail or door-to-door. More info ›››

    • Teenage Dance PDF(55kb) - venue that wants to host a graduation dance (no fees required)

    • Temporary Filming PDF(53kb) - filming company that want to hire an electrical contractor to do electrical work at the site where filiming is taking place. More info ›››

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Home-Based Business Licence Applications

Many people may want to start a business, but do not require a space in a commercial building to carry on their business and wish to use their place of residence as their home office. Some examples are: contractors, gardeners, painters and online businesses. A home-based business is a business whose office is located in the owner's home. The primary use of the building remains residential, with the secondary use being a home office.

A Business Licence may be issued using your residence as your business address, providing:

  1. A portion of the residence is to be used for a craft and/or occupation for administration purposes only (mailing and telephone).
  2. No clients are permitted to attend the premise at any time.
  3. No partnerships and/or employees are permitted to engage in the running of the business from this residence. Each partner will need to obtain their own licence under their own home address. The only exception is for partnerships between spouses that both live at the same address.
  4. No person other than one resident member of the family occupying the residence shall be engaged in the home-based business on the premises.
  5. No more than three (3) home-based business licences shall be issued for one residence.
  6. There shall be nothing to indicate from the exterior of the dwelling unit or building that it is being used for any purpose other than its principal and approved residential use (no signage permitted).
  7. No products or materials shall be sold from or within the residence.
  8. No products, materials, or equipment shall be stored inside and/or outside of the residence, or any accessory building on the property.
  9. No offensive noise, odour, vibration, smoke, heat or other objectionable effect shall be produced.
  10. If you are not the owner of the dwelling unit, you have discussed and received permission to operate the home-based business from the property owner/manager.

To apply for a home-based business licence, you must complete and submit the appropriate application form(s). These forms are available at the Licence Office and are also available to download in PDF format:

    • General Business Licence Application PDF(109kb) - For all home-based businesses. Please submit a non-refundable application fee of $50.00 with your application form. If you are submitting your application by email or fax, this fee will be billed to you.
    • Home-Based Business Licence Application PDF(40kb) - Additional requirement for applicants who will be doing business from a residence in the City of Vancouver only. You will be required to submit it with proof that you reside at that residence (e.g., property tax, utility bill, driver's licence, lease agreement, etc.).

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Approvals

In order to obtain a business licence in the City of Vancouver, various approvals may be required.

    • Zoning
      Depending on the zoning of the proposed location, your business may or may not be permitted, or may only be permitted after a Development Permit is obtained. To find out if your type of business is permitted in the chosen location, inquire in person at the Enquiry Center, 2nd Floor East Wing, 453 West 12th Avenue between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.

    • Building
      A review of the property will be provided by staff at the Occupancy or File Research Counter. The review may result in the requirement for a “special inspection” of the building, or a Building Permit.

    • Licence
      Before your Business Licence is issued, it may be necessary to obtain other approvals from the Police, Fire or Health Departments. Staff will assist you with this process.

        • Environmental Health: Any food-related businesses must have an inspection completed and approved by Vancouver Coastal Health.

        • Fire: Some business licence categories will require certificates from the Vancouver Fire Department.

        • Police: If a police background check is required, you must complete a police background check form at the Licence Office. You will be required to provide us with your picture identification and three local character references (not relatives) including their name, phone number, address and occupation. No fee is required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing.

        • Province of BC: Some business licence categories will require certificates from the Province of BC.

Fees

Please see the Fees section for more information on business licence fees.

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