Campbell River business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
How do I get a business licence in Campbell River?
Short answer
Every business operating in Campbell River needs a City business licence, one for each location. Email the completed application form to business.licence@campbellriver.ca. Most categories cost $150 a year; a six-month seasonal licence is $75. Staff check zoning, and Building and Fire Inspectors review the application.
Key facts
| Who needs one | All businesses operating in Campbell River, except those exempt under Provincial or Federal law. Non-profits certified under the Society Act still need a licence, but it is issued and renewed free. A licence is needed for each location.Business Licences, General Business Licence Information; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3887, 2023), s. 2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAll businesses operating within Campbell River must hold a valid business licence. Business licences under this category still require a licence but are issued and renewed at no charge. a separate licence is required for each location. No person shall carry on business within the City without first having obtained and |
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| Fee | $150 per year for most categories; $75 for a six-month seasonal licence (one per business per calendar year). Mobile vendors on public space are $300 and cannabis retail stores $2,500 under the bylaw schedule. A secondary licence for a same-type business at the same address is free.Business Licences, General Business Licence Information; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3887, 2023), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBusiness licences cost $150 per year Seasonal business licences (six-months only) cost $75 per season. you may apply for a secondary licence at no charge Mobile Vendors operating on public space 300.00 Cannabis Retail Store 2,500.00 A six month licence shall be one-half of a yearly |
| How to apply | Email the completed application form to business.licence@campbellriver.ca. Staff check zoning, then Building and Fire Inspectors review it (on-site inspection possible for commercial, industrial or institutional sites). Restaurants, daycares and tattoo parlours need Island Health permits; taxis need a chauffeur licence.Business Licences, Applying for a Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingComplete all fields in the application form and email it to business.licence@campbellriver.ca. staff will review it to confirm the business is permitted and compliant with the Zoning Bylaw. The application is then reviewed by Building and Fire Inspectors. Restaurants, daycare centres and tattoo parlours require permits from the Vancouver Island Health Authority. |
| Renewal | Per the City, licences expire February 27 each year whatever the issue date. Renewal notices are mailed in mid-January; payment is due by March 30, after which a $25 late fee applies. Pay online by credit card, by mail, or in person. (Business Licence Bylaw s. 2.7 says one year from the date of issue.)Sources differ: The City's web page says licences expire February 27 regardless of the issue date, notices are mailed mid-January, payment is due by March 30 (else a $25 late fee), and renewal can be paid online by credit card, by mail, or in person. The bylaw copy (consolidated to Bylaw 3887, 2023) may be older than current practice.Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3887, 2023), s. 2.7(1); Business Licences, Renewing a Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinglicences shall be granted for a one-year period or a six month period, to commence on the date of issue. Licence renewal payments that are 30 days or more overdue will be subject to a $25 late payment charge. Business licences are valid for a one-year period and expire on February 27, regardless of the issue date. payment must be received by March 30. Online: by credit card using Business Licence Payment |
| Inter-community licence | Yes, for mobile businesses only (trades and similar businesses that go to clients). It costs $150 a year, on top of the Campbell River licence, and is valid in Courtenay, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, North Cowichan, Lantzville, Comox, Lake Cowichan, Ladysmith, Qualicum Beach and Cumberland.Business Licences, Inter-Community Business Licences; Inter-Municipal Business Licence Bylaw No. 3523, 2013, s. 4.0, 4.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis type of licence is available to mobile businesses only. The annual fee for an ICBL is $150. you must first hold a valid primary business licence issued by the City. The fee for an Inter-Municipal Business Licence is $150 is separate and additional to any Municipal |
| Fine | Ticket: $200 for operating without a business licence, $100 for not displaying it, $300 for operating while suspended (Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw, Schedule 5). On court conviction the bylaw sets a fine of $5,000 to $50,000.Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025), Schedule 5; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3887, 2023), s. 6.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOperate without a business license 2.1 200.00 Fail to display business license 2.5(4) 100.00 Operate while business license is under suspension 2.9 300.00 is liable on summary conviction to a fine not less than $5,000 and a maximum of $50,000 |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3887, 2023), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBusiness Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 |
How it works
The Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 requires a licence for all businesses operating in Campbell River, except those exempt under Provincial or Federal law. Non-profits certified under the Society Act still need a licence, but it is issued and renewed free. You need a licence for each location. A second licence for a same-type business at the same address is free.
Steps
- Check that your business is allowed at the address under the Zoning Bylaw.
- Fill in the Business Licence Application Form and email it to business.licence@campbellriver.ca, with any outside permits.
- Staff check zoning, then Building and Fire Inspectors review it. Commercial, industrial or institutional sites may get an on-site inspection.
- Pay the fee. The licence is approved once it is paid.
Renewal
The two official sources differ, so confirm with the City. The City's web page says licences expire February 27 each year whatever the issue date. Renewal notices are mailed in mid-January, and payment is due by March 30, after which a $25 late fee applies. You can pay online by credit card, by mail, or in person. The bylaw (s. 2.7) says a licence runs one year from the date of issue.
Good to know
- Restaurants, daycares and tattoo parlours need Island Health permits. Taxis need a chauffeur licence.
- Mobile businesses (trades and others that go to clients) can buy an inter-community licence for $150 a year, on top of the Campbell River licence. It is valid in Courtenay, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, North Cowichan, Lantzville, Comox, Lake Cowichan, Ladysmith, Qualicum Beach and Cumberland.
- Tickets: $200 for operating without a licence, $100 for not displaying it, $300 for operating while suspended. On court conviction the bylaw sets a fine of $5,000 to $50,000. The City's page says up to $200 per day.
What you'll need
- Completed Business Licence Application Form
- Any outside permits your business needs (for example an Island Health permit for a restaurant, daycare or tattoo parlour)
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Courtenay · Cumberland · Comox · Powell River · Sayward · Gold River
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licences, City of Campbell River (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licences and Permits, City of Campbell River (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 3296, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 3887, 2023) (read 2026-11-05)
- Inter-Municipal Business Licence Bylaw No. 3523, 2013 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025) (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. How answers are checked.