Get a business licence

Steps to getting a business licence

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  Step 1: Determine if you need a business licence

   If you're applying for a business licence, call us first to check what type of licence you may need. Phone: 3-1-1 or 604-873-7000 (outside Vancouver).

  Types of businesses that require a business licence:

  Commercial and industrial business

  A commercial and industrial business is a business based within a building located in a commercial or industrial area of the City of Vancouver as defined in the Zoning and Development By-law.

   If you're applying for a commercial business licence, call us first to check:

  • Location suitability
  • If zoning regulations allow the business to operate at the location you want
  • If the space meets building code requirements
  • The type of licence you should apply for

  Home-based business

  A home-based business is a business based in a dwelling located in a residential area in the City of Vancouver as defined in the Zoning and Development By-law.

  Out-of-town business

  An out-of-town business is a business being carried on in the City of Vancouver, but with the business office located outside of Vancouver.

   A person cannot apply for a licence for any business described in Schedule A of the Businesses Prohibition By-law PDF file (40 KB).

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  Step 2: Determine what approvals you may need before getting your licence

  You might require other approvals before your business licence is approved:

  Building and zoning approval

  Before you purchase or sign a lease for your business location, check with the Development and Building Services Centre  first to make sure that you will be able to conduct your type of business in those premises.

  There are different requirements under the Zoning and Development By-law and the Building By-law for different uses. Each space in a building has its own specified approved use and sometimes the use of that space cannot be changed without an approval or a permit, or both.

  Staff at the Development and Building Services Centre will review your proposed business location. Depending on the zoning, your business may or may not be permitted. Or your business may only be permitted after a development permit is obtained. A building permit or a special inspection may also be required.

  Contact the Development and Building Services Centre about building and zoning at 604-873-7611.

  Licence approvals

  Before your business licence is issued, you may require other approvals from the Police, Fire, or health departments.

  • Environmental health: Any food-related businesses must have an inspection completed and approved by Vancouver Coastal Health External website, opens in new tab.
  • Fire: Some business licence categories will require certificates from the Vancouver Fire Department.
  • Police: If police approval is required, you will need to go directly to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) located at 2120 Cambie Street to apply for a Police Information Check (PIC). Review information on the VPD’s location, hours of operation, fees, how to apply, and how long it will take. For more information on business licence applications that may need police approval, please contact the Development and Building Services Centre.
  • Province of BC: Some business licence categories will require certificates from the Province of BC External website, opens in new tab.

  Engineering approval

  Businesses must have waste disposal set up for garbage, recycling, and green waste.

  • Find a waste hauler
  • Apply for a permit to have a dumpster on City property
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  Step 3: Fill out your application form

  Fill out the appropriate business licence application form for your business.

  • General business licence PDF file (208 KB)
    For commercial, industrial, home-based, and out-of-town businesses.
  • Rental property business licences
    For renting out an apartment, duplex, multiple dwelling, one-family dwelling, pre-1956 dwelling, residential/commercial building, or secondary suite for short- and long-term periods.
  • Soliciting for charity business licence PDF file (41.81 KB)
    For societies wanting to solicit money for charity by phone, mail, or door-to-door.

  Dance application forms

  • Late night dance licence PDF file (80 KB)
    For a dance or music event that occurs between 2am and 6am, but does not include an event taking place in a private residence.
  • Teenage dance licence PDF file (54.04 KB)
    To host a graduation dance (no fees required).

  Special events/filming

  • Special event business licence PDF file (136.22 KB)
    An exhibition, show, concert or sporting event to be held at BC Place, Rogers Arena, the Pacific National Exhibition, or the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre.
  • Special event on private property business licence PDF file (265.36 KB)
    For an event that will take place on private property. If alcohol is being sold or served, a Special Occasion Licence from the Liquor Control & Licensing Branch is required (contact any Provincial Government liquor store).
  • Electrical work for temporary filming business licence PDF file (86 KB)
    For filming companies that want to hire an electrical contractor to do electrical work at the film location.

  Vehicles for hire

  • Vehicles for hire licence PDF file (136.30 KB)
    If you want to operate a vehicle that others hire to transport people or property in the City of Vancouver, complete a Vehicles for Hire Licence Application.
  • Vehicles for hire home-based office licence PDF file (44.89 KB)
    If your vehicles for hire office operates from your Vancouver home, complete the Vehicles for Hire Home-Based Licence Application.
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  Step 4: Gather documents to include with application

  You must include the following documents with your business licence application as a:  

  Business owner

  • A copy of the business owner's current, government-issued photo ID

  Representative applying for the licence

  • A copy of the business owner's current, government-issued photo ID
  • Their own current, government-issued photo ID
  • A letter of authorization from the business owner

  Download a letter of authorization template PDF file (59 KB)

  A limited or incorporated business

  • A copy of the business owner's current, government-issued photo ID
  • The provincial or extra-provincial certificate of incorporation issued by the BC Corporate Registry
  • The Notice of Articles showing the company's list of directors

   A federal certificate of incorporation issued by Industry Canada won't be accepted.

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  Step 5: Submit application, pay fees, and get licence

   Processing times for licences vary depending on the type of business and the time of year. Fall and winter months tend to be our busiest times for business licensing. 

  What to submit

  Submit either in person (if you need a licence on a tight timeline), email, or mail to the Development and Building Services Centre, your:

  • Application
  • Required documents
  • Application fee

   If you do not apply in person, we will send you an invoice for the licence fee. Your business licence will be processed after we receive payment for the licence fees.

  Fees

  All licences will expire each year on December 31. The annual fee in the first year will be pro-rated based on the business start date.

  • Application fee for new business licence:  $60 (non-refundable)
  • Annual licence fee: The annual licence fee depends on business type. To check the licence fee:
    • Phone 3-1-1
    • Read Schedule A of the Licence By-law PDF file (380 KB)

   Business license fees are non-taxable.

  How to pay for your business licence

  You can pay for your business licence by:

  • Cash
  • Cheque or money order (made payable to the City of Vancouver)
  • Debit card
  • Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

  ​ Credit card cheques are not accepted.

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