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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Anyone carrying on business in Colwood needs a valid City business licence, with a separate licence for each premises, and advertising a business also needs one. Apply with the online Business Licence Application. Fees run from $25 to $200, depending on business type.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Colwood, https://www.colwood.ca)  
**Cost:** Home Crafts/Home Occupation $100; Commercial small (464.5 m² or less) $125; Commercial large (over 464.5 m²) $200; Non-Resident $100; Registered Societies $25; Short-Term Rental $200. Fees are paid in advance and are non-refundable.  
**How long:** The City's page and bylaw give no processing time. Development services, engineering, bylaw, building and fire review each application before a licence is issued.  
**Where:**
- Online: Online Business Licence Application, https://ca.services.docusign.net/webforms-ux/v1.0/forms/06eaafe0b0b583af859ba3ab891c1940
- Phone: City Hall, 250-478-5999
- Email: City Hall, info@colwood.ca
- In person: City Hall, 3300 Wishart Road, Victoria, BC V9C 1R1

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone carrying on a business in Colwood needs a valid licence (a Colwood, Intermunicipal or Inter-Community licence), with a separate licence for each premises. Advertising a business also requires a licence. Exempt: government activities, businesses solely on federal Crown land, and school or community education programs.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 6(b), (c), (g)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/165)
  - Official wording: "No person shall carry on within the City, any business unless they are the holder of a valid and subsisting Licence" … "No person or their representative shall advertise the carrying on of a Business within the City without first obtaining a Business Licence." … "A separate business Licence shall be obtained in respect of each premises used for business purposes."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 8(a)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/165)
  - Official wording: "For any activity carried on by the government, its agencies or government owned corporations" … "For any business operating solely on Federal Crown Land"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Home Crafts/Home Occupation $100; Commercial small (464.5 m² or less) $125; Commercial large (over 464.5 m²) $200; Non-Resident $100; Registered Societies $25; Short-Term Rental $200. Changes: location transfer $75, ownership transfer $20, update $65.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1603, Schedule I (consolidated to April 13, 2026)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/177)
  - Official wording: "Home Crafts/Home Occupation $100" … "Commercial - Small $125" … "Commercial - Large $200" … "Non-Resident $100" … "Registered Societies $25" … "Short-Term Rental $200" … "License Transfer (Location) $75"
  - Source: [Business Licensing](https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/business/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "you will be charged a non-refundable fee of between $100 and $200 when you apply"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Complete the Online Business Licence Application. Development services, engineering, bylaw, building and fire review it before a licence is issued. A fire inspection may be needed for commercial space, food trucks, home-based and intermunicipal licences; call 250-478-8321 (Prevention Division).
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Apply for a New Business License](https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/business/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "To apply for a new business license, complete the Online Business Licence Application."
  - Source: [Business Licensing, How your business license application is processed](https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/business/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "A business license application is reviewed by a number of departments (development services, engineering, bylaw, building, fire) before a business license can be issued." … "If you operate out of a commercial space, food truck, or if you are applying for a home based and/or an intermunicipal business license, you may need a fire inspection."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 9(d)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/165)
  - Official wording: "Licence Inspectors may grant a business Licence if they are satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled the requirements of this and all other City Bylaws"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences must be renewed each year, before the licensing period starts, by completing the City's renewal form. If the renewal is not completed by the deadline, the licence is invalid and you must reapply and pay the fee again. (Sources differ: The City web page says 'Business Licenses are automatically renewed each year' and that a copy is emailed in the first month of the year, which differs from the bylaw's renewal-form requirement. Temporary Use Permit licences expire with the permit (s. 14(e)).)
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 14(a), (c), (d)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/165)
  - Official wording: "must have their business Licence renewed each year" … "renewed annually by completion of a renewal from prescribed by the City" … "Failure to complete the licence renewal form by the deadline indicated will result in an invalid business Licence and will require the business to reapply and pay the business Licence fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes, for businesses that move from client to client (trades, plumbers, electricians, cleaners, pest control). Covers Central Saanich, Colwood, Duncan, Esquimalt, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Nanaimo, North Cowichan, North Saanich, Parksville, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria and View Royal. Fee: $70 plus the base licence fee.
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1813, s. 2 definitions](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/161236)
  - Official wording: "means a Business that performs a service or activity within more than one Participating Municipality by moving from client to client rather than having clients come to them"
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Intercommunity Business License](https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/business/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "An Intercommunity Business License is a business license Issued by the City of Colwood or another participating municipality which allows the business to operate within the boundaries of the following participating municipalities" … "1. District of Central Saanich 2. City of Colwood 3. City of Duncan 4. Township of Esquimalt 5. Town of Ladysmith 6. Town of Lake Cowichan 7. City of Nanaimo 8. Municipality of North Cowichan" … "9. District of North Saanich 10. City of Parksville 11. District of Saanich 12. Town of Sidney 13. District of Sooke" … "14. City if Victoria" … "15. Town of View Royal"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1603, Schedule I (consolidated to April 13, 2026)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/177)
  - Official wording: "Inter Community Designation $70 + Base License Fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Doing business without a licence. Bylaw notice: $200 ($160 if paid within 14 days, $240 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $200.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule B, Business Licence Bylaw 1812](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/187475)
  - Official wording: "Fail to obtain business license 6(b)(c)(g) $200.00 $160.00 $240.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, Schedule 2, Business License Bylaw 1812](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1091)
  - Official wording: "Fail to obtain a business license 6 (b)(c)(g) $200" … "Conduct business without a valid business license 7(e) $200"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Colwood Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025)
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 1](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/165)
  - Official wording: "City of Colwood Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020" … "(With amendments to May 12, 2025)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Business Licence Bylaw 1812](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/165), anyone carrying on a business in Colwood needs a valid licence (a Colwood, Intermunicipal or Inter-Community licence), with a separate licence for each premises. Advertising a business also requires one. Exempt: government activities, businesses solely on federal Crown land, school or community education programs, and licensed mobile ride-hail or transportation network services (not their offices in the City). Fees are in Schedule I of the Fees and Charges Bylaw.

## Steps

1. Not sure you need one? Call 250-478-5999 or email info@colwood.ca.
2. Complete the Online Business Licence Application and pay the fee.
3. City staff in development services, engineering, bylaw, building and fire review it before a licence is issued.
4. A fire inspection may be needed for commercial space, food trucks, and home-based and intermunicipal licences. Call 250-478-8321 (Prevention Division).
5. Some businesses need proof of provincial approval first, such as Island Health for day cares, tattoo parlours and estheticians, or the Motor Dealers Act for car dealers. A new or remodelled premises needs a completed building permit before occupancy.

## Good to know

- Renewal: the bylaw says licences must be renewed each year, before the licensing period starts, by completing the City's renewal form, and that a licence not renewed by the deadline is invalid and you must reapply and pay again. The City's web page says licences are automatically renewed each year and a copy is emailed in the first month of the year. Confirm with City Hall which applies to you.
- Mobile businesses that move from client to client (trades, plumbers, electricians, cleaners, pest control) can get an Inter-Community licence: $70 plus the base licence fee. It covers 15 communities including Colwood, Saanich, Sooke, Victoria and View Royal. You first need a Colwood licence, and the premises need their own licence.
- The City also offers an Intermunicipal licence ($50 plus the base fee).
- Changes: location transfer $75, ownership transfer $20, update $65. A licence changes if the use of the premises changes.
- Doing business without a licence: a bylaw notice is $200; a municipal ticket is $200. On conviction the fine is not less than $100 and up to $10,000.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licensing (City of Colwood)](https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/business/business-licensing)
- [Online Business Licence Change Form](https://ca.services.docusign.net/webforms-ux/v1.0/forms/177b8fd805ff58ad276f97913b288168)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 1812 (PDF)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/165)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1813 (PDF)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/161236)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/business-licence.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/business-licence.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/business-licence.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/business-licence.md)
- [Metchosin](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/business-licence.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licensing, City of Colwood](https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/business/business-licensing) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025) (PDF)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/165) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1603, Schedule I (consolidated to April 13, 2026)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/177) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1813 (PDF)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/161236) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/187475) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw (PDF)](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1091) (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 Colwood. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/business-licence/_