Coquitlam business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
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.
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.Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), s. 5.1-5.3; Business Licences, Applying for a Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo 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. requires every person carrying on, maintaining, owning or operating within Coquitlam any profession, business, trade or occupation, to hold a valid business licence. |
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| 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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025, Schedule K · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA. 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 |
| 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.Business Licences, Business Licence Applications; Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), s. 7.2; Business LinQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCompleted 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. and vehicles be inspected by one or more other City officials, including a building inspector, plumbing inspector, or fire prevention officer, ### More Ways to Access Business LinQ - Call 604-927-3975 - Email the Business LinQ resource centre |
| 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.Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), s. 9.1 and 14.1; Business Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinglicences 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 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. |
| 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.Business Licences, Tri Cities Intermunicipal Business Licence; Tri-Cities Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw, s. 3 and 4.6-4.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe 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 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 |
| Fine | Operating without a business licence: Bylaw notice $500 (no early-payment discount; 50% compliance-agreement discount where entered). Municipal ticket: $1,000.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749, Business Licence Bylaw schedule; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320, Schedule B-4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo business licence 5.1 n/a 500 50% No business licence 5.1 1000 |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBusiness Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 |
How it works
Business Licence Bylaw 4344 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
- Confirm the location is zoned for your business.
- Choose the application for your type: commercial/industrial, home-based, non-resident or special event vending.
- Email it with the supporting documents, or deliver it to City Hall, with the fee.
- The City may have the premises inspected by building, plumbing or fire officials.
- 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
The same question in other places
Port Coquitlam · Port Moody · Belcarra · Anmore · New Westminster · Burnaby
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licences, City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 4344, 2013 (PDF, consolidated December 20, 2021), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 5484, 2025, Schedule K (PDF), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Tri-Cities Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw (PDF), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3749 (PDF), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4320 (PDF), City of Coquitlam (read 2026-11-05)
- Business LinQ, City of Coquitlam (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.