Get a business licence

Steps to applying for a business licence

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  Step 1: Follow any specific steps to apply

  Choose the type of business you are applying for to get specific steps on how to apply

  • Cannabis retail store
  • Clothing donation bin
  • Film
  • Liquor-serving business
  • Bed and breakfast
  • Short-term rental
  • Soliciting for charity
  • Special event (concerts, exhibitions, and shows)
  • Trades and construction (Metro West inter-municipal business licence or IMBL)
  • Urban farm
  • Vehicle for hire

  Some types of business aren't allowed in Vancouver, generally to protect human and animal rights. Review the Business Prohibition By-law PDF file (40 KB).

  For all other types of commercial, industrial, home-based, and out-of-town businesses – as well as non-profit organizations and societies, continue with the steps on this page

  • 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 our Zoning and Development By-law.
  • A home-based business is a business based in a dwelling located in a residential area in the City of Vancouver, as defined in our Zoning and Development By-law.
  • 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.
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  Step 2: Check if your business is allowed at your proposed location

  Before you lease or buy space for your business

  Check the proposed location with our Development and Building Services Centre.

  Our Zoning and Development By-law and Building By-law set out land use and life safety requirements for where businesses are located and how businesses use a space.

  Proposed location reviewed

  Our Services Centre staff will review your proposed location based on our requirements. The location may be:

  • Approved
  • Require alterations that need a permit
  • Require an inspection
  • Not be approved
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  Step 3: Gather required documents

  Include these documents in your application:

  Photo ID

  • Business owner's current, government-issued photo ID
  • If you apply on behalf of the owner:
    • Letter of authorization from the owner (download a letter of authorization template PDF file (87 KB))
    • Your current government-issued photo ID

  Registration documents for incorporated businesses

  • If the business is incorporated in BC, but not registered with BC Corporate Registry:
    • BC Certificate of Incorporation
    • Notice of Articles that lists all current owners and directors
  • If the business is incorporated outside of BC:
    • BC Statement of Registration (as an Extraprovincial Company)
    • Government-issued document that lists all current owners and directors

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

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  Step 4: Fill out the application form

  Apply only once per business to avoid unnecessary delays.

  • Home-based business
  • Commercial, industrial, and out-of-town business
    • Apply online and track your application progress.
    • Or fill out the application form PDF file (242 KB) and send the form and required documents to our contact us form or mailing address.
    • If your business will have a cryptocurrency ATM, you need to declare on the application form that the ATM complies with FINTRAC regulations External website, opens in new tab to protect customers against fraud.
  • Non-profit organizations and societies
    • Fill out the application form PDF file (242 KB) and send the form and required documents to our contact us form or mailing address.
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  Step 5: We review your application

  The time to process your application depends on:

  • The time of year – we are busiest in fall and winter
  • The reviews and approvals that your type of business needs, such as:
    • Building and zoning: Our Development and Building Services Centre staff will review your proposed business location based on land use and life safety requirements. The location may be approved, require alterations that need a permit, require an inspection, or not approved.
    • Health: Vancouver Coastal Health External website, opens in new tab will inspect and review food-related businesses.
    • Police: We may require you to get a police information check (PIC) from the Vancouver Police External website, opens in new tab.
    • Provincial certificate: We may require you to provide a copy of your qualification from an industry association.

  We will contact you during our review if we need additional information and documents, and to update you about next steps.

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  Step 6: Pay the bill

  After we review your application, we will send you a bill to pay your fees.

  • One-time application fee: $70 (non-refundable)
  • Annual licence fee: The amount depends on the business type. To view the licence fees, read Schedule A of the Licence By-law PDF file (380 KB). The annual licence fee for the first year will be pro-rated based on the business start date.

  There are no taxes charged on fees.

  The bill includes your business licence account number and ways to pay.

  Pay your bill online

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  Step 7: We issue your licence

  Remember to renew it each year by December 31 for the following year.

  After we receive your payment, we will issue your business licence.

  Your business licence is valid until December 31.

  You will need to pay the annual licence fee by December 31 to renew your business licence for the following year. Late payments are charged a late payment fee of $42 or 10% of the licence fee, whichever amount is greater.

  We will send you a reminder notice in November or December with information about how to renew. Please set your own reminder to avoid a late payment fee.

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