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

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

Cumberland, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

Key facts

Who needs one	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'.Business Licences, Business Licences page; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262, s. 3.1.1-3.1.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording A business licence is required for all businesses operating in the Village of Cumberland. 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;
Fee	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.Business Licences, Fees; Fees Bylaw No. 1110, 2019, consolidated 2025, Schedule C, Half-Year Licence Fee · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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 Licence Fee 50% of the applicable Tier Yearly Licence Fee
How to apply	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.Business Licences, Application Process · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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.
Renewal	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.Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262, s. 3.4.1, 3.4.3, 3.4.4; Fees Bylaw No. 1110, 2019, consolidated 2025, Schedule C, Administrative Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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 Late Payment Fee $75
Inter-community licence	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.Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 995, 2013, s. 2, 4; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262, s. 3.1.1(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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 being the holder of a valid Inter-Community Business Licence.
Fine	Operating without a valid business licence: $200 ($100 if paid early). Failing to display the licence: $100 ($50). Failing to renew: $150 ($75).Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1244, Schedule C (as replaced by Bylaw 1244) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 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
Bylaw	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 CBusiness Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262, s. 1.1; Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 995, 2013, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording This Bylaw shall be cited as the “Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, This bylaw may be cited as the "Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2013,

How it works

Under the Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 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".

Fees (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.

Steps

Check that the zoning permits your business (see the zoning-lookup answer).
Fill in the application form for your type: regular, home occupation, accommodation home occupation or mobile vending.
Submit it 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. You then pay the fees and the licence is emailed to you.
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.

Good to know

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.
Tickets: operating without a valid licence $200 ($100 if paid early); not displaying the licence $100 ($50); not renewing $150 ($75).
The Fees Bylaw note on the late-renewal deadline shows an amendment (January 31 changed to March 31); confirm the date with the Village.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Courtenay · Comox · Campbell River · Powell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Business Licences, Village of Cumberland (read 2026-11-08)
Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2025, amended by Bylaw No. 1262 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Fees Bylaw No. 1110, 2019, consolidated 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 995, 2013 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 1244 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)

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