{"title":"Cumberland business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Cumberland, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","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":"Village of Cumberland","url":"https://cumberland.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, every business operating in the Village of Cumberland needs a Village business licence, including home-based businesses. Fees range from a $125 application plus $25 a year (Tier 1) up to $375 plus $250 (Tier 5). Apply at the Village Office or by email.","aliases":["business licence cumberland bc","cumberland business license","inter-community business licence cumberland","renew business licence cumberland"],"cost":"Five tiers (application fee plus yearly fee). Tier 1 basic $125 and $25; Tier 2 $275 and $100; Tier 3 accommodation $300 and $125; Tier 4 mobile vendors $275 and $175; Tier 5 large retail or industrial $375 and $250. Half-year fee for licences issued after June 30.","how_long":"The Village does not state a processing time. Licences run January 1 to December 31.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Village Office","value":"2673 Dunsmuir Avenue, Cumberland, BC","note":"Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Village Office","value":"250-336-2291"},{"type":"email","label":"Village Office","value":"info@cumberland.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licences, Village of Cumberland","url":"https://cumberland.ca/business-licences/"},{"title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239 (PDF)","url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Bylaw-1239-Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-2025-amd-1262-2026.pdf"},{"title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 995 (PDF)","url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bylaw-995-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Cumberland home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Cumberland short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Cumberland zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-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 operating in the Village needs a business licence (including home-based businesses); a person with more than one business needs a separate licence for each. The business must be a permitted use under the Zoning Bylaw for its premises. Governments and their agencies are not 'business'.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, Village of Cumberland","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["A business licence is required for all businesses operating in the Village of Cumberland."]},{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Bylaw-1239-Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-2025-amd-1262-2026.pdf","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1.1-3.1.2","quotes":["Any person carrying on more than one business shall obtain and pay for a separate","the business is a permitted use under the Zoning Bylaw for the business premises;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Five tiers. Tier 1 basic: $125 application plus $25 a year. Tier 2 (needs fire inspection, for example retail, restaurants): $275 and $100. Tier 3 accommodation: $300 and $125. Tier 4 mobile vendors: $275 and $175. Tier 5 large retail or industrial: $375 and $250. Half-year fee for licences issued after June 30.","short":"By tier: Tier 1 $125 application plus $25 a year","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, Village of Cumberland","section":"Fees","quotes":["Application Fee $125, Yearly Licence Fee $25","Application Fee $275, Yearly Licence Fee $100","Application Fee $300, Yearly Licence Fee $125","Application Fee $275, Yearly Licence Fee $175","Application Fee $375, Yearly Licence Fee $250"]},{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-1110-Fees-Bylaw-CONS-2025.pdf","title":"Fees Bylaw No. 1110, 2019, consolidated 2025 (PDF)","section":"Schedule C, Half-Year Licence Fee","quotes":["Licence Fee 50% of the applicable Tier Yearly Licence Fee"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Check that the zoning permits the business, fill in the application form for your business type (regular, home occupation, accommodation home occupation or mobile vending), and submit with the application fee in person at the Village Office or by email to info@cumberland.ca. Planning, the Fire Chief, the Building Inspector and the Licence Inspector review it; fees are then paid and the licence is emailed.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, Village of Cumberland","section":"Application Process","quotes":["Determine if the business is permitted by the property zoning.","Applications can be submitted in person at the Village Office or online via info@cumberland.ca.","Once all conditions have been met, and fees are paid, the licence will be issued by email."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences run January 1 to December 31 and expire December 31. Renew before expiry by paying the yearly fee. If you do not, pay the $75 late payment fee by March 31 (amended by Bylaw 1262 from January 31) to renew; otherwise the licence is deemed expired and a new application is needed.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Bylaw-1239-Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-2025-amd-1262-2026.pdf","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.4.1, 3.4.3, 3.4.4","quotes":["The licence period shall be from January 1st to December 31st of each year and every","Every licensee must renew a business licence prior to the expiry of such business licence","the licensee must pay the Late Payment Fee set out in the Fees Bylaw by","the licensee must pay the Late Payment Fee set out in the Fees Bylaw by January 31st (Bylaw 1262) March 31st","otherwise the licence will be deemed expired and a new application is"]},{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-1110-Fees-Bylaw-CONS-2025.pdf","title":"Fees Bylaw No. 1110, 2019, consolidated 2025 (PDF)","section":"Schedule C, Administrative Fees","quotes":["Late Payment Fee $75"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes, for businesses that go from client to client (trades, plumbers, electricians, cleaning, pest control and similar). It is valid in participating municipalities including Campbell River, Courtenay, Comox, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Port Alberni, North Cowichan and Lantzville, as well as Cumberland. Fee: $150, in addition to the Cumberland municipal licence fee.","short":"Yes, $150 (mobile businesses)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bylaw-995-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 995, 2013 (PDF)","section":"s. 2, 4","quotes":["City of Courtenay","Village of Cumberland","The fee for an Inter-Community Business licence is $150 and shall be paid","The fee for an Inter-Community Business licence is separate and additional"]},{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Bylaw-1239-Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-2025-amd-1262-2026.pdf","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262 (PDF)","section":"s. 3.1.1(c)","quotes":["being the holder of a valid Inter-Community Business Licence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Operating without a valid business licence: $200 ($100 if paid early). Failing to display the licence: $100 ($50). Failing to renew: $150 ($75).","short":"$200 ($100 if paid early)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bylaw-1244-MTI-Amendment-2025.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1244 (PDF)","section":"Schedule C (as replaced by Bylaw 1244)","quotes":["Operating without valid business licence 3.1.1 $200 $100","Failure to display the licence 3.1.3 $100 $50","Failure to renew business licence 3.4.3 $150 $75"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025 (amended by Bylaw No. 1262, 2026); Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 995, 2013; fees in Fees Bylaw No. 1110, 2019, Schedule C","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Bylaw-1239-Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-2025-amd-1262-2026.pdf","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262 (PDF)","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["This Bylaw shall be cited as the “Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239,"]},{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bylaw-995-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 995, 2013 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited as the \"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2013,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder the [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239](https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Bylaw-1239-Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-2025-amd-1262-2026.pdf), every business operating in the Village needs a licence, including home-based businesses. A person with more than one business needs a separate licence for each. The business must be a permitted use under the Zoning Bylaw for its premises. Governments and their agencies are not a \"business\".\n\nFees (application plus yearly): Tier 1 basic $125 and $25; Tier 2 (needs a fire inspection, for example retail or restaurants) $275 and $100; Tier 3 accommodation $300 and $125; Tier 4 mobile vendors $275 and $175; Tier 5 large retail or industrial $375 and $250. Licences issued after June 30 pay a half-year fee.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check that the zoning permits your business (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Fill in the application form for your type: regular, home occupation, accommodation home occupation or mobile vending.\n3. Submit it with the application fee in person at the Village Office or by email to info@cumberland.ca.\n4. Planning, the Fire Chief, the Building Inspector and the Licence Inspector review it. You then pay the fees and the licence is emailed to you.\n5. Renew before December 31 by paying the yearly fee. If you do not, pay the $75 late payment fee by March 31 to renew; otherwise the licence is deemed expired and you must apply again.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Businesses that go from client to client (trades, plumbers, electricians, cleaning, pest control and similar) can get an inter-community licence for $150, in addition to the Cumberland fee. It is valid in participating municipalities including Campbell River, Courtenay, Comox, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Port Alberni, North Cowichan and Lantzville, as well as Cumberland. The list is as printed in Bylaw No. 995 (2013), so check the bylaw.\n- Tickets: operating without a valid licence $200 ($100 if paid early); not displaying the licence $100 ($50); not renewing $150 ($75).\n- The Fees Bylaw note on the late-renewal deadline shows an amendment (January 31 changed to March 31); confirm the date with the Village.","sources":[{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, Village of Cumberland","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Bylaw-1239-Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-2025-amd-1262-2026.pdf","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bylaw-1110-Fees-Bylaw-CONS-2025.pdf","title":"Fees Bylaw No. 1110, 2019, consolidated 2025 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Bylaw-995-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 995, 2013 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://cumberland.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bylaw-1244-MTI-Amendment-2025.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1244 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/cumberland/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/business-licence.json"}}