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

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

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

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.

Key facts

Who needs oneAnyone 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.Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 6(b), (c), (g); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 8(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
For any activity carried on by the government, its agencies or government owned corporations
For any business operating solely on Federal Crown Land
FeeHome 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1603, Schedule I (consolidated to April 13, 2026); Business Licensing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
you will be charged a non-refundable fee of between $100 and $200 when you apply
How to applyComplete 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).Business Licensing, Apply for a New Business License; Business Licensing, How your business license application is processed; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 9(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
To apply for a new business license, complete the Online Business Licence Application.
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.
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
RenewalLicences 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)).Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 14(a), (c), (d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Inter-community licenceYes, 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.Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1813, s. 2 definitions; Business Licensing, Intercommunity Business License; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1603, Schedule I (consolidated to April 13, 2026) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
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
Inter Community Designation $70 + Base License Fee
FineDoing business without a licence. Bylaw notice: $200 ($160 if paid within 14 days, $240 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $200.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule B, Business Licence Bylaw 1812; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, Schedule 2, Business License Bylaw 1812 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Fail to obtain business license 6(b)(c)(g) $200.00 $160.00 $240.00
Fail to obtain a business license 6 (b)(c)(g) $200
Conduct business without a valid business license 7(e) $200
BylawCity of Colwood Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025)Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
City of Colwood Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020
(With amendments to May 12, 2025)

How it works

Under Business Licence Bylaw 1812, 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

The same question in other places

View Royal · Esquimalt · Langford · Victoria · Metchosin · Highlands

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Business Licensing, City of Colwood (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Business Licence Bylaw No. 1812, 2020 (consolidated to May 12, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1603, Schedule I (consolidated to April 13, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 1813 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw (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. How answers are checked.