Apply for a cannabis retail store licence

Steps to getting a cannabis retail store business licence

• |

• 

  Step 1: Meet municipal requirements

  Find a business location that meets zoning requirements. The location must be in a commercial zone, and be at least 300m from:

  • Schools
  • Community centres
  • Neighbourhood houses
  • Youth facilities that serve vulnerable youth PDF file (125 KB)
  • Other cannabis businesses

  See the Zoning and Development Bylaw (Section 11.6) PDF file (552 KB) distancing requirements for more detail.

  Questions? Contact the Development and Building Services Centre.

• 

  Step 2: Get a municipal development permit

   If your business has an existing City of Vancouver development permit and you want to operate a cannabis retail store, begin at step 3. All businesses are required to apply for and obtain a provincial licence and new municipal licence.

  A. Review fees

  The development permit application fee is based on floor space. See schedule 1 of the Zoning and Development Fee Bylaw PDF file (590 KB).

  B. Review forms

  • Development permit change of use checklist PDF file (114 KB)
  • Development permit application sample drawings PDF file (1 MB)
  • Operational letter requirements PDF file (94 KB)

   C. Apply for a municipal development permit

  Review the steps to and apply for a development permit.

• 

  Step 3: Get a provincial cannabis retail licence

  After the development permit is approved, apply for a:

  • Provincial cannabis retail licence External website, opens in new tab

   We will recommend approval or denial of the provincial application as part of this process. 

   All cannabis retail stores require a provincial licence to operate in Vancouver, which is regulated and enforced by the BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch under the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act External website, opens in new tab .

  Medical cannabis? Refer to the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) External website, opens in new tab .

• 

  Step 4: Get a municipal business licence

  After a provincial licence is approved, we will contact you to apply for your municipal business licence.

   The licence will only be issued after building and occupancy permits are closed, and a City inspection is complete.

• |

• 

  Did you find what you're looking for?