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

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

Burnaby, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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.Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Business Licence Bylaw s. 11.1; Business Licences, Business Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. 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
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.Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule A2, Schedule A2 - Business Licence Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Business Licences, Business Licences page, "Apply for a business licence"; Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Business Licence Bylaw 2017, s. 5.2(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. 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
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.Business Licences, Business Licences page; Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Business Licence Bylaw s. 6.1(d), 6.3, 6.4; Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule A2, Schedule A2 - Business Licence Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Business licences are renewed annually; we'll send you a reminder 30 days before the due date. 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 Late payment fee $53.00
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.Business Licences, Business Licences page, "Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL)"; Inter-Municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw 2015, No. 13524, Inter-Municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw 2015, No. 13524, s. 9; Burnaby Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2024, No. 14697, Burnaby Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2024 (No. 14697), s. 8 and s. 11 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. The Inter-municipal Business Licence fee is $250 and is payable to the Principal 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
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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, Schedule A, Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, s. 11.1; Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), Business Licence Bylaw s. 13.1-13.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Operate without a valid business licence 500 400 NO 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
Bylaw	Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, Bylaw No. 13809Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Business Licence Bylaw 2017 (2026.1)

How it works

Under the Business Licence Bylaw 2017 (No. 13809), 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

Check the location is allowed under the Zoning Bylaw before you sign a lease. Ask Planning at planning@burnaby.ca.
If you run an automotive, landscaping, or demolition or excavation business, contact Climate Action and Energy at 604-294-7850 about extra environmental requirements.
Complete the Business Licence Application and email it to licence@burnaby.ca, or apply online with a My Property account.
Pay the non-refundable $55 application fee, then the first-year fee once approved.
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

The same question in other places

New Westminster · Richmond · Port Moody · Belcarra · Vancouver · Coquitlam

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Business Licences, City of Burnaby (read 2026-11-05)
Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedule A2 (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2009, No. 12657 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A (read 2026-11-05)
Burnaby Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2024, No. 14697 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Inter-Municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw 2015, No. 13524 (read 2026-11-05)

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