---
title: "Abbotsford business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Abbotsford, and how do I get one?"
place: Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/abbotsford
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Abbotsford
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/business-licence.json"
---

# Abbotsford business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a business licence in Abbotsford, and how do I get one?

**Short answer:** Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of Abbotsford needs a City business licence before opening. Apply online, allow at least 2 to 3 weeks, and the licence is valid for 12 months. Fees start at $130 a year, depending on the business type. The City does not register business names.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Abbotsford, https://www.abbotsford.ca)  
**Cost:** Set by business type in Schedule B of the Business Licence Bylaw. For example $130 for a home occupation or a commercial or industrial use up to 800 m²; $195 for 801 to 1,800 m²; $260 for 1,801 m² and over. $25 administration fee on a new licence.  
**How long:** Allow a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks from submitting the application to issuance. Valid for 12 months.  
**Where:**
- Online: New Business Licence Application, https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences/application
- In person: Building Permits & Licences Division, City Hall, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1W7
- Phone: Business Licence Division, 604-864-5525
- Email: Business Licence Division, businesslicence@abbotsford.ca

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone carrying on a business in the City. Exempt: agri-food processing under 600 m² on agricultural land, on-site farm processing, qualifying non-profit sales (apply for the exemption first), and garage sales on your own property (up to 3 a year and 6 days in total).
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006 (consolidated, last amended July 15, 2025), s. 5.1, 5.2](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw)
  - Official wording: "a person shall not carry on any business or operate a Supportive Recovery Use within the City without a valid and subsisting licence" … "an agri-food processing facility having a floor area of less than 600 m2 on property" … "where more than three garage sales are conducted on that property per calendar"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "All business within Abbotsford providing professional, personal or other service for the purposes of gain or profit require a valid business licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Set by business type in Schedule B. Examples: $130 for a home occupation, or a commercial or industrial use up to 800 m²; $195 for 801 to 1,800 m²; $260 for 1,801 m² and over. $25 administration fee on a new licence. Late renewal adds 30% (within 30 days) or 50%.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006 (consolidated, last amended July 15, 2025), Schedule B; s. 6.2, 6.4, 6.5](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Commercial $130.00 Use or Industrial Use (0 to 800 m2 / 8621 sq. ft of usable area," … "Commercial $195.00 Use or Industrial Use (801 to 1800 m2 / 8622 - 19,385 sq. ft of usable area" … "Commercial $260.00 Use or Industrial Use (1801 m2 / 19,386 sq. ft and over" … "Administration fee; additional copy of an issued licences $25.00" … "a penalty equal to 30% of the licence fee specified for that category of" … "a penalty equal to 50% of the licence fee specified for that category of"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "The annual base fee for a Business Licence starts at $130."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Apply online (temporary licences cannot be applied for online). The City checks zoning and inspects the premises; allow 2 to 3 weeks. Some types need extra documents such as Fraser Health approval or trade certificates. You cannot open until the licence is issued.
  - Source: [Business Licence Application, Application page](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences/application)
  - Official wording: "A business cannot be opened or operated until the City of Abbotsford reviews the application and issues a business licence." … "Temporary business licences such as the following cannot be applied for online:" … "personal care businesses will need to provide a copy of their Fraser Health approval"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "Allow a minimum of 2-3 weeks from the submission of your application to issuance." … "This ensures that all business locations meet zoning requirements." … "All businesses located within the City of Abbotsford require an inspection."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** A licence is valid 12 months and expires on the last day of the 12th month. The City mails a renewal notice about six weeks before expiry. To renew online you need the Web Renewal ID on the notice (or ask City Hall for it). Late renewal adds 30% within 30 days of expiry, 50% after. Licences cannot be transferred.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006 (consolidated, last amended July 15, 2025), s. 7.1, 6.4, 6.5](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw)
  - Official wording: "shall be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance and shall expire on the last day of the 12th" … "a penalty equal to 30% of the licence fee specified for that category of" … "a penalty equal to 50% of the licence fee specified for that category of"
  - Source: [Business Licence Renewal, Renewal page](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences/renewal)
  - Official wording: "The City sends out a renewal notice approximately six weeks before the expiry date." … "Business Licence Renewals can be paid online."
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "All business licences are non-transferable." … "To renew online a Web Renewal ID will be needed which can be found on the top right corner of your renewal notice."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. Mobile businesses (trades and construction professionals, repair and maintenance contractors, in-home health care providers) can add an Intermunicipal Business Licence for $250 a year, valid in 12 Fraser Valley municipalities. The home city's licence fee still applies.
  - Source: [Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw (No. 2990-2019), Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw 2990-2019, s. 2, 6](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2019bylaw2990)
  - Official wording: "a trades contractor or other professional related to the construction industry;" … "a health care professional or a health care service provider who only provides" … "for a mobile business with premises within a participating municipality, $250;"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "An eligible business (including a home-based operation) would pay the business licence fee set by their home municipality plus the annual Inter-Municipal Business Licence fee of $250."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** $500 by bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days) or $1,000 by municipal ticket for doing business without a licence. Holding more garage sales than allowed: $150 by bylaw notice.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006 (consolidated, last amended July 15, 2025), s. 12.1](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw)
  - Official wording: "carries on a business without holding a valid licence for that business;"
  - Source: [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017-2020), s. 6, 7 (Table 1), 17](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017)
  - Official wording: "(a) $500 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by bylaw notice;" … "(b) $1 000 for a bylaw contravention dealt with by municipal ticket;" … "is discounted by $50 if the penalty is paid in full within 14 days of the delivery of the bylaw notice." … "Section 5.2 (d) [more garage sales than" … "$150"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw, 2006 (Bylaw No. 1551-2006)
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006 (consolidated, last amended July 15, 2025), s. 1.1](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 1551-2006 may be cited as "Business Licence Bylaw, 2006""
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Business Licence Bylaw](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw) requires anyone carrying on a business in the City of Abbotsford to hold a licence. The City licenses businesses mainly to check that each location meets zoning rules. It does not register business names or issue GST and PST numbers (Corporate Online, 1-800-663-6102).

Exempt: agri-food processing under 600 m² on agricultural land, on-site farm processing, qualifying non-profit sales (apply for the exemption first), and garage sales on your own property (up to 3 a year and 6 days in total).

## Steps

1. Pick the licence type and subtype that fits your business. The Business Licences page lists them.
2. Complete the online application. Temporary licences (up to 60 days) cannot be applied for online.
3. Pay the fee. The City checks zoning and inspects the premises. Some types need extra documents.
4. Building changes and new plumbing need permits; signs other than home-business signs need sign permits.
5. Do not open until the licence is issued. Keep a copy posted in a conspicuous place.

## Good to know

- Other examples from Schedule B: restaurant with drive-up window $238, financial institution $563, second hand goods $195, fuel station $130 plus $22 per dispenser. Any business not listed is $130.
- Renewal: the City mails a notice about six weeks before expiry. To renew online you need the Web Renewal ID on the notice (or ask City Hall). A late renewal adds 30% within 30 days of expiry, 50% after.
- Licences cannot be transferred. A new location or owner needs a new application.
- Mobile businesses (trades and construction professionals, repair and maintenance contractors, in-home health care providers) can add an Intermunicipal Business Licence for $250 a year, valid in 12 Fraser Valley municipalities. The home city's licence fee still applies.
- Fines for operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $500 ($450 if paid within 14 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000. More garage sales than allowed: $150 by bylaw notice. Each day is a separate offence.

## What you'll need

- Description of the business (what you provide and how)
- Number of employees, including owners
- Square footage used
- Extra approvals for some types, such as a Fraser Health approval or a trade certificate

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licences (City of Abbotsford)](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 1551-2006](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw)

## Related questions

- [Abbotsford home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/home-based-business.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/business-licence.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/business-licence.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/business-licence.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/business-licence.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/business-licence.md)
- [Pitt Meadows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Application, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences/application) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006 (consolidated, last amended July 15, 2025)](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw, 2020 (No. 3017-2020), City of Abbotsford](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2020bylaw3017) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw (No. 2990-2019), City of Abbotsford](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2019bylaw2990) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Renewal, City of Abbotsford](https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences/renewal) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Abbotsford. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/business-licence/_