Duncan business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Duncan, and how do I get one?
Short answer
Yes. Every business in the City of Duncan needs a City business licence, including non-profit societies, home-based and out-of-town businesses. Apply in person, by email or by mail. Renew and pay by March 31 each year or the licence is deemed revoked.
Key facts
| Who needs one | Every business operating in Duncan, including non-profit societies, home-based businesses and out-of-town businesses. A business with more than one location needs a licence for each.Business Licences, Business Licences page; Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to July 3, 2018), s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA Business Licence is required by every business (including non-profit Societies, home based businesses, and out of town businesses) A person who carries on business from more than one location shall obtain a licence for each business location No person shall carry on a Business within the City of Duncan unless a valid |
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| Fee | $100 a year if paid before March 1 ($125 after February 29); $50 for new licences issued after July 1. Non-profits $1. Mobile food vendor $200 (private property) or $500 (City property).Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026), Schedule D - Business Licensing · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingSchedule D – Business Licensing $100.00 $125.00 $50.00 5. From every non-profit organization $1.00 $200.00 $500.00 |
| How to apply | Apply in person at 200 Craig Street, by email to licence@duncan.ca, or by mail, using the Business Licence application. Applications are referred to Building, Public Health Inspector, Planning and others; food businesses need Island Health approval. Zoning must allow the business. Processed within 2 weeks after payment.Business Licences, Business Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIn person – 200 Craig Street, Duncan, BC By email – licence@duncan.ca Any food-related businesses must have an inspection completed and approved by Vancouver Island Health Authority Your business licence will be processed within 2 weeks after the City receives payment |
| Renewal | Licences are issued for a calendar year and expire on December 31. Renew and pay by March 31 or the licence is deemed revoked; a penalty is added to each unpaid licence as at March 1 ($125 instead of $100). A renewal form may be sent.Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to July 3, 2018), s. 6.1, 5.2; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026), Schedule D · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBusiness Licences shall be issued for a calendar year and shall expire on December 31 of each year will be added to each unpaid Business Licence as at March 1 paying the annual fee prior to March 31 in each year that the Business is Licence shall be deemed to be revoked. from a premise in a commercially zoned property in the City, an $100.00 $125.00 $50.00 annual fee of |
| Inter-community licence | Yes, for mobile businesses that move from client to client (not fixed-location sales). Annual fee $170, separate from and additional to any municipal licence fee. It covers participating Vancouver Island communities from Sooke to Parksville. For mobile businesses, a Duncan licence also covers Lake Cowichan, North Cowichan and Ladysmith.Inter-Community Business Licences, Inter-Community page; Business Licences, Business Licences page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingMunicipalities from Sooke to Parksville participate in the Inter-Community Business Licence program The annual fee for the inter-community licence is $170 automatically authorizes operations in Lake Cowichan, North Cowichan and Ladysmith For mobile businesses, the City of Duncan Business Licence automatically authorizes operations in Lake Cowichan, North Cowichan and Ladysmith |
| Fine | Bylaw notice for no business licence (Business Licence Regulation s. 3.1): $100 ($75 within 14 days; $125 late). Failure to renew: $100. Operating without an inter-community licence: $200 ($175 early; $225 late).Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A - Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUSINESS LICENCE REGULATION BYLAW NO. 3117, 2014 No business licence $100.00 $75.00 $125.00 Failure to renew licence Operating without a business licence $200.00 |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 (consolidated to July 3, 2018); Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 3261, 2025Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to July 3, 2018), Title; City Bylaws folder, Bylaw list · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBusiness Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 3261 |
How it works
Every business operating in Duncan needs a City business licence under the Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, including non-profit societies, home-based businesses and out-of-town businesses. A business with more than one location needs a licence for each. Applications are referred to Building, the Public Health Inspector, Planning and others, and zoning must allow the business.
Steps
- Ask Development Services (250-746-6126) whether your business is allowed at the address.
- Fill in the Business Licence Application. Use the Mobile Food Vendor application for a food truck or cart. Food businesses need Island Health approval.
- Apply in person at 200 Craig Street, by email to licence@duncan.ca, or by mail.
- Pay at the front counter, drop box, by mail, through online banking or online (OptionPay adds a fee). The City processes the licence within 2 weeks after payment.
Good to know
- Licences are issued for a calendar year and expire on December 31. Renew and pay by March 31 or the licence is deemed revoked. A penalty applies to each licence unpaid as at March 1 ($125 instead of $100). A renewal form may be sent.
- Fines: operating without a licence is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 within 14 days, $125 late). Failure to renew is $100.
- Changing your business location costs $50; a reprint is $5.
- An inter-community licence ($170 a year, separate from any municipal fee) covers mobile businesses only, ones that move from client to client, not fixed-location sales. It covers participating Vancouver Island communities from Sooke to Parksville. For a mobile business, a Duncan licence also covers Lake Cowichan, North Cowichan and Ladysmith.
- Operating without an inter-community licence is a $200 bylaw notice ($175 early).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
North Cowichan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Lake Cowichan · Sidney · Central Saanich
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licences, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to July 3, 2018), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, consolidated to August 24, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- Inter-Community Business Licences, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
- City Bylaws folder, City of Duncan CivicWeb (read 2026-11-05)
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