{"title":"Courtenay business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Courtenay, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","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 Courtenay","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Every business in the City of Courtenay needs a City business licence unless exempt. Apply on the City's online form only; allow at least two to three weeks. You pay by invoice once approved and the licence is mailed. Licences run January 1 to December 31.","aliases":["courtenay business licence","business license courtenay","start a business in courtenay","renew business licence courtenay","close a business licence courtenay"],"cost":"Until December 31, 2026 (Bylaw 2523): by business type, for example $100 professional, business service and unclassified, $100 retail under 4,000 sq. ft., $150 restaurant, $75 home occupation. From January 1, 2027 (Bylaw 3212): $50 application fee, then $350 new or $250 renewal for a resident business; $150 non-resident.","how_long":"At least two to three weeks.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Business licence application form","value":"https://digitalsmartforms.ca/f/s/CourtenayBusinessLicenceApplication"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business licensing","value":"250-703-4835"},{"type":"email","label":"Business licensing (questions and closures)","value":"businesslicence@courtenay.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"830 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business licences page","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF)","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (from January 1, 2027, PDF)","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026"},{"title":"Inter-community business licence","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences/inter-community-business-licence"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Courtenay home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/home-based-business/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/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":"Every business in Courtenay, whether permanent, mobile, home-based or non-resident, unless exempt. From Jan 1, 2027 exemptions include fundraising, societies, rentals over 90 days, garage sales and holders of a valid inter-community licence.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/services/bylaws/find-bylaw/business-licence-bylaw","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, City of Courtenay","section":"Intro","quotes":["All businesses — whether permanent, mobile, home-based or non-resident — must have a valid business licence before starting operations."]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"s. 2.1","quotes":["No person shall carry on a business within the City without first:"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"s. 4.1","quotes":["Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Bylaw, a Licence is not required for:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Until Dec 31, 2026 (Bylaw 2523): by business type, e.g. $100 for professional, business service and unclassified, $100 for retail under 4,000 sq. ft., $150 restaurant, $75 home occupation. From Jan 1, 2027 (Bylaw 3212): $50 application fee, then resident business $350 new or $250 renewal; non-resident $150.","short":"By type: $100 for most (new fees from Jan 1, 2027)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["Business categories and annual licence fees payable:","Restaurant .................................................................................................................$150.00","Professional ...............................................................................................................$100.00"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"Schedule A, Tables 1","quotes":["Resident Business $350 $250","Non-Resident Business $150 $150","Non-Refundable Initial Licence Application Fee All Licence Types $50"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Apply on the City's online application form only (no email or other formats). Allow at least two to three weeks. After approval you get an invoice; the licence is mailed once paid. The City checks that zoning permits the business and that building, plumbing and fire permits and other bylaws are met.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences","title":"Business licences, City of Courtenay","section":"Applying for a business licence","quotes":["Submit your application using our online application form. We do not accept applications by email or in other formats.","Allow a minimum of two to three weeks for processing, depending on the licence type and approvals needed.","Once your application is approved, you will receive an invoice."]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 5.7, 11.2(a)","quotes":["including but not limited to building, plumbing and fire suppression prior to the","the zoning of the Business Premises permits the proposed Business activity;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal notices are mailed from November (mid-November 2026 for 2027). Bylaw 3212 (from Jan 1, 2027): renew and pay by January 31 or the licence is cancelled. Bylaw 2523 (to Dec 31, 2026): late fee of 25% of the annual fee after March 1 and 50% after June 1.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences","title":"Business licences, City of Courtenay","section":"Renewing your business licence","quotes":["Business licences are valid for the calendar year, from January 1 to December 31.","Renewal notices are mailed to businesses with an active licence starting in November.","Business licence renewal notices will be mailed in mid-November 2026."]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 9.3, 9.5","quotes":["no later than the 31st January of the renewal year.","by January 31st of the renewal year, the licence will be cancelled by the Licence Inspector."]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 3.3, 3.4","quotes":["does not renew and pay for its licence prior to March 1st of each licence period","does not renew and pay for their licence prior to June 1st of each licence period"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. The fee is $150, in addition to the municipal business licence, for businesses that go from client to client (such as contractors, trades, cleaning, pest control). It covers the participating municipalities: Campbell River, Courtenay, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, North Cowichan, Lantzville, Comox, Lake Cowichan, Ladysmith, Qualicum Beach and Cumberland.","short":"Yes, $150 (mobile businesses)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/inter-community-business-licence-bylaw-no-2769-2013","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 2769 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"s. 4(a); definitions","quotes":["The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $150 and shall be paid in full at the","will be in addition to a Municipal Business Licence.","City of Campbell River City of Courtenay City of Duncan City of Nanaimo","District of Lantzville"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences","title":"Business licences, City of Courtenay","section":"Inter-community business licence","quotes":["The annual fee for an inter-community business licence is $150 in addition to the Standard Business licence annual fee."]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences/inter-community-business-licence","title":"Inter-community business licence, City of Courtenay","section":"Inter-community page","quotes":["This licence includes the following participating municipalities and the yearly fee is $250.00:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Conflict: the City's separate Inter-community business licence page says the yearly fee is $250; Bylaw No. 2769 s. 4(a) and the main Business licences page say $150. Bylaw followed. Its list of municipalities also omits Lantzville, which the bylaw names. Businesses with no physical location in a participating community must first get a standard licence from one of them."},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice (Bylaw 3185, written for Bylaw 2523 s. 2.1): no business licence $500 ($375 if paid within 14 days; $500 after 30 days). Not displaying the licence $100 ($75 early, $125 late). Not yet updated for Bylaw 3212 (from Jan 1, 2027).","short":"Notice $500 ($375 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3185-municipal-enforcement-bylaw-no-3185pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"Appendix A, Business Licence Bylaw","quotes":["No business licence 2.1 $500.00 $375.00 $500.00 Yes","Fail to display licence 2.3 $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Yes"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523, 2008 (to December 31, 2026); Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (from January 1, 2027)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as \"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523, 2008\"."]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 1.1, 17.1, 18.1","quotes":["This Bylaw shall be cited as “Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026”.","This Bylaw comes into effect on January 1, 2027."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nCourtenay has two business licence bylaws. [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025) applies until December 31, 2026; [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026) applies from January 1, 2027. Before applying, the City checks that zoning permits the business and that building, plumbing and fire permits and other bylaws are met.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your use is allowed on the property and get any building, plumbing or fire permits you need.\n2. Fill in the online application. The City does not take email or other formats.\n3. After approval you get an invoice; pay it. The licence is mailed once paid.\n4. Renew: licences run January 1 to December 31, and renewal notices are mailed from November (mid-November 2026 for 2027). Under Bylaw 3212, renew and pay by January 31 or the licence is cancelled. Under Bylaw 2523, a late fee of 25% of the annual fee applies after March 1 and 50% after June 1.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Fees depend on the principal use. Bylaw 3212 also sets separate fees for some types, such as financial institutions $1,500, nightclubs and pubs $1,000, short-term rental $300 and mobile food vending $250 (private) or $450 (City park).\n- Exemptions from January 1, 2027 include fundraising, societies, rentals over 90 days, garage sales and holders of a valid inter-community licence. Bylaw 2523 has no exemption list; each business needs its own licence.\n- Contractors and other businesses that go from client to client may need an inter-community licence, $150 on top of the municipal licence (Bylaw 2769). The City's inter-community page says $250; confirm with the City.\n- Closing a business: email businesslicence@courtenay.ca with the business name and closure date.\n- Fines (Bylaw 3185, written for Bylaw 2523): no licence is a $500 bylaw notice ($375 if paid within 14 days; $500 after 30 days); not displaying the licence is $100 ($75 early). Not yet updated for Bylaw 3212.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences","title":"Business licences, City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/inter-community-business-licence-bylaw-no-2769-2013","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 2769 (PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences/inter-community-business-licence","title":"Inter-community business licence, City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3185-municipal-enforcement-bylaw-no-3185pdf","title":"Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 3185 (PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/services/bylaws/find-bylaw/business-licence-bylaw","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, City of Courtenay","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/courtenay/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/business-licence.json"}}