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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Every business carried on in Burnaby needs a City of Burnaby business licence (or an inter-municipal licence), including home-based businesses, non-profits, rented houses and short-term rentals. Email the application to licence@burnaby.ca or apply online through a My Property account.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Burnaby, https://www.burnaby.ca)  
**Cost:** A non-refundable $55 application fee, then a first-year fee by business type, for example $666 for an office or retail (1 to 10 people), $1,231 for a restaurant up to 50 seats, $422 home-based. Renewals are $200, $578 and $145. Full list in Schedule A2 of the fees bylaw.  
**How long:** The City does not state a processing time. A renewal licence is valid for 12 months, and the City sends a reminder 30 days before the due date.  
**Where:**
- Online: My Property Portal (apply and pay), https://pts.burnaby.ca/Tempestprd/LoginManager/
- Email: Licensing (send the application form), licence@burnaby.ca
- Phone: Licensing, 604-294-7320
- In person: City Hall, Licensing, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 1M2 (Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Every business carried on in Burnaby, including home-based businesses, non-profits, house rentals where the owner does not live there, and short-term rentals, needs a Burnaby business licence or an inter-municipal licence. Non-resident (temporary or mobile) businesses also need one.
  - Source: [Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Business Licence Bylaw s. 11.1](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person, including a charitable or non-profit organization, may carry on a business" … "within the City without a valid:" … "inter-municipal business licence."
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.burnaby.ca/business/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "All businesses in Burnaby, whether commercial, home-based or a residential rental (including short-term rentals), require a valid business licence." … "Non-profits also need a licence." … "Non-resident"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Application fee $55, then a first-year fee by business type. Examples (first year / renewal): office $666 / $200; retail $666 / $200 (1 to 10 people); restaurant up to 50 seats $1,231 / $578; home-based $422 / $145. The full list is Schedule A2 of the Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw.
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule A2, Schedule A2 - Business Licence Bylaw](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Office - General $666.00 $200.00 $200.00" … "Retail Trader - General 1-10 Persons $666.00 $200.00 $200.00" … "Restaurant 11-50 Seats $1,231.00 $578.00 $578.00" … "Home Based Business - General $422.00 $145.00 $145.00" … "Application fee $55.00" … "Late payment fee $53.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Complete the business licence application and email it to licence@burnaby.ca, or apply online with a My Property account. Pay the non-refundable application fee, then the first-year fee once approved. The licence is issued only if the business is a permitted use under the zoning for the premises; inspections may be required. Active permits on the site block processing.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page, "Apply for a business licence"](https://www.burnaby.ca/business/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "All applications are subject to a non-refundable application fee." … "submit to licence@burnaby.ca." … "Alternatively, you can apply online for your business licence with a My Property account." … "we can't process applications with active/open permits on a location" … "we recommend that you first ensure the location you've chosen to operate your business from complies with the Burnaby Zoning Bylaw."
  - Source: [Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Business Licence Bylaw 2017, s. 5.2(a)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the business is a permitted use under the Zoning Bylaw in respect to the" … "no inspection or further inspection is required in respect to the business"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences are renewed annually; the City sends a reminder 30 days before the due date. A renewal licence is valid for 12 months. Late renewals pay a $53 fee, and the licence is cancelled if renewal and late fees are not paid within 30 days of the due date.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.burnaby.ca/business/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "Business licences are renewed annually; we'll send you a reminder 30 days before the due date."
  - Source: [Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Business Licence Bylaw s. 6.1(d), 6.3, 6.4](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a renewal licence is valid for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months." … "a late payment fee as set-out in the Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw is" … "the business licence is cancelled effective the end of the 30"
  - Source: [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule A2, Schedule A2 - Business Licence Bylaw](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Late payment fee $53.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. An Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL) lets eligible Burnaby businesses work in Burnaby, Delta, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver (Township of Langley joins January 1, 2027). It is for construction or trades businesses and home health care providers visiting clients' homes. Fee: $300, not pro-rated, valid 12 months, on top of the Burnaby licence.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page, "Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL)"](https://www.burnaby.ca/business/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "An IMBL allows eligible businesses (including home-based businesses) to work in the following participating cities:" … "construction or trade-related business providing services such as maintenance, repairs or inspections of land and buildings" … "health care professional or health care service provider who provide services by visiting clients in their homes" … "The fee for an IMBL is $300 and is not pro-rated."
  - Source: [Inter-Municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw 2015, No. 13524, Inter-Municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw 2015, No. 13524, s. 9](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/13000/13524.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Inter-municipal Business Licence fee is $250 and is payable to the Principal"
  - Source: [Burnaby Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2024, No. 14697, Burnaby Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2024 (No. 14697), s. 8 and s. 11](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/14000/14697.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The Inter-municipal Business Licence fee is $300 and is payable to the Principal" … "The term of an Inter-municipal Business Licence is twelve (12) months"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 ($400 if paid within 15 days) for operating without a valid business licence. Court: $5,000 to $10,000 for each violation of the Business Licence Bylaw, with a separate offence for each day.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, Schedule A, Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, s. 11.1](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Operate without a valid business licence 500 400 NO"
  - Source: [Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Business Licence Bylaw s. 13.1-13.2](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of not less than five thousand dollars" … "($5,000.00) and not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00)." … "If an offence continues for more than one day, a separate offence occurs on each day or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, Bylaw No. 13809
  - Source: [Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), title page](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw 2017 (2026.1)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Business Licence Bylaw 2017 (No. 13809)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf), every business carried on in Burnaby needs a Burnaby licence or an inter-municipal licence. This includes home-based businesses, non-profits, house rentals where the owner does not live there, and short-term rentals. Non-resident (temporary or mobile) businesses also need one. The City lists three types: resident, non-resident (trades contractors or mobile companies with no fixed location) and inter-municipal.

A licence is issued only if the business is a permitted use under the zoning for the premises. Inspections may be required, and active permits on the site block processing.

## Steps

1. Check the location is allowed under the Zoning Bylaw before you sign a lease. Ask Planning at planning@burnaby.ca.
2. If you run an automotive, landscaping, or demolition or excavation business, contact Climate Action and Energy at 604-294-7850 about extra environmental requirements.
3. Complete the Business Licence Application and email it to licence@burnaby.ca, or apply online with a My Property account.
4. Pay the non-refundable $55 application fee, then the first-year fee once approved.
5. Renew each year. Late renewals pay a $53 fee, and the licence is cancelled if renewal and late fees are not paid within 30 days of the due date.

## Good to know

- The inter-municipal licence (IMBL) lets eligible businesses work in Burnaby, Delta, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver (Township of Langley joins January 1, 2027). It is for construction or trades businesses and home health care providers visiting clients' homes. It costs $300, not pro-rated, valid 12 months, on top of the Burnaby licence.
- An online payment without a My Property profile carries a 1.8% credit card convenience fee.
- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $500 ($400 if paid within 15 days). A court can fine $5,000 to $10,000 for each violation, with a separate offence for each day.
- Failing to post the licence is a $200 notice ($160 if paid early).

## What you'll need

- Completed Business Licence Application (PDF)

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licence Application (PDF)](https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-07/Business-Licence-Application.pdf)
- [Business Licences, City of Burnaby](https://www.burnaby.ca/business/business-licences)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated, PDF)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/business-licence.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/business-licence.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/business-licence.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/business-licence.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/business-licence.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences, City of Burnaby](https://www.burnaby.ca/business/business-licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/13809CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedule A2](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/14485CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/Consolidated/12657CC.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Burnaby Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2024, No. 14697 (PDF)](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/14000/14697.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inter-Municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw 2015, No. 13524](https://bylaws.burnaby.ca/media/13000/13524.pdf) (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 Burnaby. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/business-licence/_