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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Every person carrying on a profession, business, trade or occupation in Coquitlam needs a City business licence, including home-based, mobile and non-resident businesses. Choose the application for your type of business and email it with supporting documents, or deliver it to City Hall. Confirm zoning first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Coquitlam, https://www.coquitlam.ca)  
**Cost:** Depends on business type (Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule K): $100.80 for Level One, $190 for Level Two, $248.80 for Level Three. A late application adds 25%.  
**How long:** A licence lasts one calendar year under the bylaw. The sources read do not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- In person: Business Licensing, City Hall, 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, BC V3B 7N2 (City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Online: Business Licences page, https://www.coquitlam.ca/602/Business-Licences
- Phone: Business LinQ (free help with licences and permits), 604-927-3975

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Every person carrying on any profession, business, trade or occupation in Coquitlam, including home-based, mobile and non-resident businesses. A separate licence is needed for each premises and for each business at one premises.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), s. 5.1-5.3](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4296525)
  - Official wording: "No person may carry on a business in the City without a valid and subsisting licence in respect of that business." … "Every person who carries on a business at more than one premises in the City must apply for and maintain a separate licence in respect of each premises."
  - Source: [Business Licences, Applying for a Business Licence](https://www.coquitlam.ca/602/Business-Licences)
  - Official wording: "requires every person carrying on, maintaining, owning or operating within Coquitlam any profession, business, trade or occupation, to hold a valid business licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Depends on business type (Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule K): Level One (home occupation, bed and breakfast, consultant without office) $100.80; Level Two (business office, service/repair shop) $190; Level Three (professionals, rentals) $248.80; retail and restaurants $100.80 for up to 30 m² plus $19.90 per extra 10 m².
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025, Schedule K](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879)
  - Official wording: "A. Level One" … "(a) general $ 100.80" … "B. Level Two" … "(a) general $ 190.00" … "C. Level Three" … "(a) general $ 248.80" … "up to 30 m2 indoor floor space $ 100.80" … "PLUS each additional 10 m2 indoor floor space (up to 2,000 m2) $ 19.90"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Choose the application for your type (commercial/industrial, home-based, non-resident or special event vending) and email it with supporting documents, or deliver it to City Hall. Confirm the location is zoned for the business first. The City may have the premises inspected by building, plumbing or fire officials.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licence Applications](https://www.coquitlam.ca/602/Business-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Completed Business Licence Applications can be emailed or delivered to City Hall:" … "The first step of starting a commercial or industrial business is confirming that the location is zoned for business use."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), s. 7.2](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4296525)
  - Official wording: "and vehicles be inspected by one or more other City officials, including a building inspector, plumbing inspector, or fire prevention officer,"
  - Source: [Business LinQ](https://www.coquitlam.ca/591/Business-LinQ)
  - Official wording: "### More Ways to Access Business LinQ - Call 604-927-3975 - Email the Business LinQ resource centre"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences last one calendar year from the earlier of the date the business started or the licence was issued (the City page says one year from commencement). Renewing after expiry is a late application with a 25% late fee. Existing licence holders can pay online.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), s. 9.1 and 14.1](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4296525)
  - Official wording: "licences are valid for a period of one calendar year commencing on the earlier of the date" … "payment of a late fee equal to 25% of the licence fee otherwise applicable for that"
  - Source: [Business Licences](https://www.coquitlam.ca/602/Business-Licences)
  - Official wording: "In Coquitlam, licences are valid for one year from the date of commencement of the business." … "If you already have a business licence, you can pay for your Business Licence online."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes: the Tri-Cities Intermunicipal Business Licence lets a mobile business based in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam or Port Moody operate in all three. It costs $175 a year (not prorated) and is in addition to the regular licence.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Tri Cities Intermunicipal Business Licence](https://www.coquitlam.ca/602/Business-Licences)
  - Official wording: "The cost of an Intermunicipal Business Licence is $175 annually. Licence fees are not prorated." … "delivers its services by moving from client to client throughout the Tri Cities"
  - Source: [Tri-Cities Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw, s. 3 and 4.6-4.7](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4909036)
  - Official wording: "City of Coquitlam City of Port Coquitlam City of Port Moody" … "The fee for an Intermunicipal Business Licence is $175.00 and is payable to the Principal"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Operating without a business licence: Bylaw notice $500 (no early-payment discount; 50% compliance-agreement discount where entered). Municipal ticket: $1,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, Business Licence Bylaw schedule](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017)
  - Official wording: "No business licence 5.1 n/a 500 50%"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320, Schedule B-4](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001)
  - Official wording: "No business licence 5.1 1000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), s. 1.1](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4296525)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[Business Licence Bylaw 4344](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4296525) requires every person carrying on a profession, business, trade or occupation in Coquitlam to hold a licence. You need a separate licence for each premises and for each business at one premises. Holders of mobile vending, street vending, special event or vehicle-for-hire licences are exempt from the general licence.

## Steps

1. Confirm the location is zoned for your business.
2. Choose the application for your type: commercial/industrial, home-based, non-resident or special event vending.
3. Email it with the supporting documents, or deliver it to City Hall, with the fee.
4. The City may have the premises inspected by building, plumbing or fire officials.
5. Renew before the licence expires; existing licence holders can pay online.

## Good to know

- Fees (Schedule K, effective April 1, 2026): Level One (home occupation, bed and breakfast, consultant without office) $100.80; Level Two (business office, service or repair shop) $190; Level Three (professionals, rentals) $248.80; retail and restaurants $100.80 for up to 30 m² plus $19.90 per extra 10 m². Many other classes have their own fees. Amending a licence is $34.60.
- A licence lasts one calendar year from the earlier of the business start date or issue date (the City page says one year from commencement). Renewing after expiry is a late application with a 25% late fee.
- A mobile business based in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam or Port Moody can add the Tri-Cities Intermunicipal Business Licence for $175 a year, in addition to the regular licence. Non-resident businesses from other municipalities still need a non-resident licence in each Tri-Cities city.
- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $500 (no early-payment discount) or a municipal ticket is $1,000.
- Business LinQ gives free one-on-one help: 604-927-3975. Liquor or health permits may be needed separately.
- The bylaw copy is a December 2021 consolidation, so later amendments are possible.

## What you'll need

- The application form for your type of business (commercial or industrial, home based, non-resident, or special event vending)
- Supporting documents listed with the form

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licences page](https://www.coquitlam.ca/602/Business-Licences)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 4344 (PDF)](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4296525)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 5484, Schedule K (PDF)](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/business-licence.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/business-licence.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/business-licence.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/business-licence.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/business-licence.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/602/Business-Licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4296525) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025, Schedule K (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6285879) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Tri-Cities Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=4909036) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749 (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303017) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320 (PDF), City of Coquitlam](https://publicdocs.coquitlam.ca/coquitlamdoc/getdocIF.asp?doc=6303001) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business LinQ, City of Coquitlam](https://www.coquitlam.ca/591/Business-LinQ) (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 Coquitlam. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/business-licence/_