Get a home-based business licence

Processing of applications

Access to the Business Licence Office is by appointment only. Walk-in service and drop-in appointments are not available.

Processing times are currently delayed. We will contact you with questions or next steps once we have processed your request.

If you work from your home in the City of Vancouver, you may need a business licence.

A home-based business is a business whose office is located in the owner's home in Vancouver. The primary use of the building is residential, with its secondary use as a home office.

Example of home-based businesses: contractors, gardeners, painters, backyard parking, and some online businesses can be home-based businesses.

Try our new online application form

By applying online, you'll be able to:

Provide the required details at the start, to avoid delays and clarifications.
Track your application status.
Receive updates about your application.

Apply online

Steps to getting a home-based business licence

Step 1: Review the requirements
A business licence may be issued using your residence as your business address, provided that:
- The residence is located in the City of Vancouver.
- A portion of the residence is to be used for a craft or occupation for administration purposes only.
- No clients are permitted to attend the premises at any time.
- No partnerships 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.
- No person other than one resident member of the family occupying the residence shall be engaged in the home-based business on the premises.
- If an identification sign for a business is displayed at a residence, it must meet the definition of an ‘identification sign’ in Section 6.12 of the Sign By-law (40 KB).
- No products or materials shall be sold from or within the residence.
- No products, materials, or equipment shall be stored outside the residence, or any accessory building on the property.
- No offensive noise, odour, vibration, smoke, heat, or other objectionable effect shall be produced.
- 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 or property manager.
Step 2: Gather required documents
- Business owner’s current government-issued photo ID
- If you apply on behalf of the owner:
  - Letter of authorization from the owner
  - Your current government-issued photo ID
- If the business is incorporated in BC:
  - BC Certificate of Incorporation
  - Notice of Articles that lists all current directors
- If the business is incorporated outside of BC:
  - BC Registration Statement as an Extraprovincial Company
  - Registration documents that list all current directors from the government where you registered the business
Step 3: Apply

There are two options to apply for a home-based business licence:

Option 1: Apply online

Try our new online application where you can track your application status and receive updates.

You'll need to pay the $66 non-refundable application fee with a credit card, and provide photo ID and required documents.

Processing times are currently delayed. Once we have processed your request, we will contact you with questions or next steps. Processing times for licences vary depending on the type of business and the time of year.

Apply online

Option 2: Apply using the general business application form

Complete the general business licence application form (242 KB) and gather the required documents listed in the form.

Send your application to the Licence Office online or by mail.
Step 4: Pay fees and get licence
After we finish reviewing your application, we will send you a bill.

Fees
- One-time application fee: $66 (non-refundable, charged if you didn't pay it yet)
- Annual licence fee: The amount depends on the business type. To view the licence fees, read Schedule A of the Licence By-law (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.

Pay your bill

Note your business licence number on your bill and ways to pay.

Pay online

After you pay

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 $40 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.