{"title":"Chilliwack business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Chilliwack, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"business","name":"Starting and running a business"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Chilliwack","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com"},"short_answer":"Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of Chilliwack needs a City business licence, which runs on the calendar year. Apply through the City's online application or by emailing a PDF form to blinfo@chilliwack.com; the City emails you to pay once the application is approved.","aliases":["chilliwack business license","business licence application chilliwack","renew business licence chilliwack","non-resident business licence chilliwack"],"cost":"$100 for a mobile, non-resident or home-based business; $100 plus $0.25 per m2 of floor area for other commercial (retail, personal service); $100 plus $0.10 per m2 for industrial; other types have their own fees (Business Licence Bylaw 1484, Schedule A).","how_long":"Licences run January 1 to December 31. The City's page does not give a processing time.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Apply for or amend a licence","value":"https://www.chilliwack.com/apps/docusign/business-licence-application.cfm"},{"type":"email","label":"Submit PDF forms if the portal is down","value":"blinfo@chilliwack.com"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licence Office","value":"604-793-2909","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays."},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"8550 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC V2P 8A4"}],"documents":["Business name, owner name and contact information, business address, and gross floor area of the space","Proof of approvals from other agencies when the City asks (for example Fraser Health for food)","For cannabis retail, proof of ownership or a lease of the premises"],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licences (City page)","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=1086"},{"title":"Commercial business licence form (PDF)","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=5932"},{"title":"Non-Resident business licence form (PDF)","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=5951"},{"title":"Inter-municipal business licence form (PDF)","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=5952"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw 1484 (PDF)","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936"},{"title":"Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2023, No. 5347 (PDF)","url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=3124"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Chilliwack home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/home-based-business/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs","name":"Harrison Hot Springs","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kent","name":"Kent","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hope","name":"Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/business-licence/"}],"topic":{"title":"Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence/"},"facts":{"who_needs":{"label":"Who needs one","value":"Anyone carrying on a business in the City of Chilliwack. That includes advertising as open for business, dealing in, buying, selling, renting or displaying goods, rendering professional, personal, contractual or other services for gain or profit, letting more than two residential suites or units in one complex, and repairing or servicing others' automobiles or appliances. No licence is required for renting not more than two dwelling units, a farmer or orchardist selling unprocessed produce grown on their own land, door-to-door sale of Canadian newspapers, or teaching music, handicrafts or art as a home occupation to not more than one class of five students at one time.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484 (PDF, consolidated December 6, 2022)","section":"ss. 4, 5(1), 6","quotes":["no person shall carry on, within the City, any","No licence is required for the business of renting dwelling units where not more","not more than one class of five","(3)    renders or offers to render professional, personal, contractual, or other service to","(4)    lets for rent more than two residential suites or units in any one complex, or"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=1086","title":"Business Licences, City of Chilliwack","section":"City page","quotes":["A Business Licence is required to operate a business within the City of Chilliwack."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Schedule A of Business Licence Bylaw 1484: $100 for mobile, non-resident or home occupation businesses; $100 plus $0.25 per m2 of gross floor area for other commercial (retail, personal service); $100 plus $0.10 per m2 for industrial; other types (restaurants, night clubs, cannabis retail, etc.) have their own fees. A business starting before June 30 pays the full annual fee; starting after June 30 pays half. A 3-month licence is 1/4 of the annual fee, a 1-month licence 1/10 and a 1-day licence $25.","short":"$100 (home occupation); commercial $100 + $0.25 per m2","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484 (PDF, consolidated December 6, 2022)","section":"Schedule A items 1, 9, 10, 13","quotes":["Mobile, non-resident or home occupation","Other Commercial (retail, personal service etc,","$ 100.00 plus $0.25 per","$ 100.00 plus $0.10 per","Business starting after June 30","Business starting before June 30                             annual fee","Business starting after June 30                              1/2 annual fee"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Apply or amend through the City's online business licence application portal. If the portal is not working, PDF forms can be emailed to blinfo@chilliwack.com. The application is reviewed by City departments (the application form lists Planning, Building, Fire and Engineering approvals); the property's zoning decides what businesses are permitted, and the Fire Department does the final review, with a fire inspection needed before most businesses can open or receive approval for a licence. The applicant is contacted by email to pay the fees once the application is reviewed and approved.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=1086","title":"Business Licences, City of Chilliwack","section":"City page","quotes":["Apply for / Amend a Licence","The applicant will be contacted via email to pay the fees once the application has been reviewed and approved.","If the online application portal is not working, pdf application forms are available below. Completed application forms and all required documents can be submitted to blinfo@chilliwack.com.","Web Map: check a property's zoning to review what businesses are permitted"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=3261","title":"Fire Department business inspections, City of Chilliwack","section":"City Fire Dept page","quotes":["The City of Chilliwack Fire Department requires a fire inspection before most businesses can open or receive approval for a business licence."]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2974","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Chilliwack","section":"City STR page","quotes":["Applications can be submitted online, in person, or by mail."]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484 (PDF, consolidated December 6, 2022)","section":"s. 13(1)","quotes":["the applicant and the proposed business comply with all applicable bylaws"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Annual licences run January 1 to December 31 and must be renewed before the start of each licensing period. A $10 discount applies to an annual renewal paid or postmarked on or before December 15 of the preceding year. Pay online, by phone (604-792-2906) or in person; credit card payments carry a 2% service fee.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484 (PDF, consolidated December 6, 2022)","section":"ss. 5(2), 29","quotes":["shall renew such licence before the","beginning of each licensing period","the 1st day of January and terminate on the 31st day of December in each year","$10.00 if payment is received by the City or postmarked on or before the 15th day of"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=1086","title":"Business Licences, City of Chilliwack","section":"City page","quotes":["Licences are based on calendar year (not date of issuance).","By phone: 604-792-2906","- Pay Online"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes, the Inter-municipal Business Licence (IMBL), $250 in addition to the Chilliwack licence, for Mobile Businesses (construction trades and related professionals, maintenance and repair of land and buildings, and health care providers who only visit clients in their homes). It is applied for only in the municipality where the business has premises, is not pro-rated, and covers the participating municipalities that have adopted the bylaw: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Hope, Kent, Langley (City and Township), Maple Ridge, Mission, Pitt Meadows, Surrey and Harrison Hot Springs (the City's form also lists Merritt, which the bylaw does not).","short":"Yes, $250 (mobile trades, health care)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=3124","title":"Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2023, No. 5347 (PDF)","section":"ss. 4, 10","quotes":["City of Abbotsford","Village of Harrison Hot Springs","The Inter-municipal Business Licence fee is $250.00 and is payable to the Principal","who only provides services by visiting clients in their homes from other than their","“Participating Municipality” means those of the following municipalities that have adopted","Municipality in which they maintain a Premises."]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=1086","title":"Business Licences, City of Chilliwack","section":"City page","quotes":["Mobile businesses for construction, trades, and home health care services can apply for an IMBL"]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=5952","title":"Inter-municipal business licence form (PDF), City of Chilliwack","section":"City form","quotes":["City of Merritt","INTER-MUNICIPAL BUSINESS LICENCE FEE: $250.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"},"sources_differ":"Conflict: the City's IMBL form lists the City of Merritt among participating municipalities, but Bylaw 5347 (consolidated to December 2, 2025) does not list Merritt, so the value follows the bylaw. The fee is not pro-rated and the licence term matches the Chilliwack licence term (ss. 11, 15)."},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"$500 (early payment $490, late payment $510) for operating an unlicensed business, under Schedule A of the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2018, No. 4573; the same $500 applies to operating contrary to law (s. 5(3)).","short":"Notice $500 ($490 if paid early)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=2436","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Bylaw 1484","quotes":["Description Section Penalty ($) Penalty ($) Penalty ($) Available Operating Unlicensed Business 5(1) 500.00 490.00 510.00 Yes Operating contrary to law 5(3) 500.00 490.00 510.00 Yes"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484 (with Schedule A fees); Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2023, No. 5347","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484 (PDF, consolidated December 6, 2022)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["\"Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484\""]},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=3124","title":"Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2023, No. 5347 (PDF)","section":"s. 2","quotes":["“Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2023, No. 5347”"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-05"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the [Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484](https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936), you carry on a business if you advertise as open, deal in, buy, sell, rent or display goods, offer services for gain, rent out more than two residential units in one complex, or repair others' cars or appliances. Each premises needs its own licence. Your use must also fit the property's zoning, which you can check on the City's online map.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Register your business name first if you need to (see the register-business-name answer).\n2. Apply online or email the matching PDF form to blinfo@chilliwack.com.\n3. The City reviews the application with other departments (planning, building, fire and engineering). Most businesses need a fire inspection first, and the Fire Department does the final review.\n4. When approved, the City emails you to pay. Pay online, by phone or at City Hall.\n5. Post the licence in a visible place at your premises. Non-resident businesses carry it with them.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Fees: a business starting before June 30 pays the full annual fee; after June 30, half. A 1-day licence is $25.\n- Exempt: renting out two or fewer dwelling units, a farmer or orchardist selling unprocessed produce grown on their own land, door-to-door sale of Canadian newspapers, and teaching music, handicrafts or art at home to one class of five students or fewer.\n- Renewal: annual licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewals paid or postmarked on or before December 15 get a $10 discount.\n- Credit card payments (Mastercard or Visa, not AMEX) carry a 2% service fee.\n- If you stop operating before June 30, you can get half the annual fee back.\n- A change of address needs a transfer application; so does a change of ownership (within 60 days).\n- Mobile businesses (construction trades, building and land maintenance, home-visit health care) working in other cities can add an Inter-municipal Business Licence for $250, on top of the Chilliwack licence. It is not pro-rated and covers the cities that have adopted the bylaw, such as Abbotsford, Delta, Langley, Mission and Surrey. The City's form also lists Merritt, but the bylaw does not, so confirm with the Business Licence Office.\n- Operating without a licence is a $500 ticket (early payment $490, late payment $510).","sources":[{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=1086","title":"Business Licences, City of Chilliwack","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=936","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 1990, No. 1484 (PDF, consolidated December 6, 2022)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=3124","title":"Inter-municipal Business Licence Bylaw 2023, No. 5347 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=5952","title":"Inter-municipal business licence form (PDF), City of Chilliwack","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/attachments/attachView.cfm?attachID=2436","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=3261","title":"Fire Department business inspections, City of Chilliwack","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.chilliwack.com/main/page.cfm?id=2974","title":"Short-Term Rentals, City of Chilliwack","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/business-licence.json"}}