{"title":"Esquimalt business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Esquimalt, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","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":"Township of Esquimalt","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca"},"short_answer":"In Esquimalt every business needs a Township business licence or an Intermunicipal business licence, including home occupations, offices, rental apartment owners and non-resident businesses. Most classes cost $100 a year. Apply online through MyEsquimalt or in person.","aliases":["business licence esquimalt","esquimalt business license","intermunicipal business licence esquimalt","renew business licence esquimalt"],"cost":"Most classes $100 a year; large commercial $200; home crafts $50; apartments $15 per unit; liquor, cannabis and some other classes $120 to $2,000. Prorated by quarter in the first year.","how_long":"Not stated by the Township.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"MyEsquimalt","value":"https://online.esquimalt.ca/LIVEWEB/LoginManager/"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business licensing","value":"250-414-7136"},{"type":"email","label":"Business licensing","value":"business@esquimalt.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"1229 Esquimalt Rd, Esquimalt, BC V9A 3P1","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licences, Township of Esquimalt","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences"},{"title":"Business Classifications and Fees, Township of Esquimalt","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences/application-and-business-classifications"},{"title":"Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144 (PDF)","url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/business-licence-and-regulation-bylaw-2024-no-3144-0"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Esquimalt home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Esquimalt zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Esquimalt short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Esquimalt bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/oak-bay","name":"Oak Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/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":"All businesses operating in Esquimalt need a valid business licence or a valid Intermunicipal business licence. This includes home occupations, commercial and professional offices, owners of rental apartment properties, and all non-resident businesses.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Who requires a business licence?","quotes":["All businesses operating in Esquimalt require either a valid business licence or a valid Intermunicipal business licence.","owners of rental apartment properties, and all non-resident businesses."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Annual fees (Bylaw 3144, Schedule A): professional office $100; small commercial (under 465 m²) $100; large commercial $200; home occupation $100; home crafts $50; non-resident $100; apartments $15 per unit. Liquor, cannabis and some other classes $120 to $2,000. Fees are prorated by quarter in the first year.","short":"By type: $100 (home occupation $100)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences/application-and-business-classifications","title":"Business Classifications and Fees, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Business classifications","quotes":["Commercial - Small - less than 465 sq. meters (5,000 sq. ft.) Floor Area | $100.00","Commercial - Large - more than 465 sq. meters (5,000 sq. ft.) Floor Area | $200.00","Apartments – fee per apartment unit | $15.00","Non-Resident Business | $100.00","Registered Charity | $0.00","Professional Office | $100.00"]},{"url":"https://esquimalt.ca.legistar.com/View.ashx?GUID=EC763462-8CB9-4BC0-80C9-4D5003264CCC&ID=62029&M=F","title":"Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 3144, council agenda copy (Legistar), Township of Esquimalt","section":"Schedule A; s. 15.2","quotes":["Apartments – fee per apartment unit","Commercial – Large – more than 465 sq. meters (5,000 sq. ft) Floor Area     $ 200.00","Professional Office                                                         $ 100.00","Businesses that start operating during the calendar year will have their license fee"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Apply online through MyEsquimalt or in person. The Licence Officer may ask for a floor plan sketch, proof of insurance and incorporation documents. Before signing a lease, check with Development Services that the use is permitted. Island Health: 250-519-3401. Business licensing: 250-414-7136, business@esquimalt.ca.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences/application-and-business-classifications","title":"Business Classifications and Fees, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Apply online","quotes":["Apply online using MyEsquimalt","The online platform allows users to apply for, review, renew and pay by credit card"]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["Before you sign a lease, prospective business owners should check with the Development Services Department","contact the Vancouver Island Health Authority, Health Protection and Environmental Services Branch, at 250-519-3401"]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/contacts","title":"Contacts, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Business Licencing","quotes":["Business Licencing Department Strategic Initiatives Phone 250-414-7136 Email business@esquimalt.ca"]},{"url":"https://esquimalt.ca.legistar.com/View.ashx?GUID=EC763462-8CB9-4BC0-80C9-4D5003264CCC&ID=62029&M=F","title":"Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 3144, council agenda copy (Legistar), Township of Esquimalt","section":"s. 13.3, 14","quotes":["This process can be completed online or in person.","proof of property, vehicle and/or comprehensive liability insurance coverage."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Fees are due each year by January 31. Renewal notices are sent at the end of the calendar year by email (if signed up for eBilling) or Canada Post. From February, an unrenewed licence gets a $25 late fee. If you have closed, return the invoice marked CLOSED or call 250-414-7136.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Business licence renewal","quotes":["Business licence fees are due annually and are payable by January 31.","Starting in February of the renewal year, any business license account that has not been renewed will incur a $25 late fee."]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences/application-and-business-classifications","title":"Business Classifications and Fees, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Renewal","quotes":["Payment is due by January 31 each year."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes, two. The Intermunicipal licence ($100) covers only listed classes (such as contractors and mobile services) across the 13 Greater Victoria municipalities. The Inter-Community Licence (ICBL, mobile businesses) costs $170 under Bylaw 3189, on top of local fees, and needs premises in a participating community. List: gov.bc.ca/mobilebusinesslicence.","short":"Yes, $100 intermunicipal; $170 inter-community","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/3189-inter-community-business-licence-bylaw-2026-no-3189","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, 2026, No. 3189 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","section":"s. 4(a)-(b)","quotes":["The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $170 and will be retained by the","The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is separate and in addition to any"]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences/application-and-business-classifications","title":"Business Classifications and Fees, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Intermunicipal and Intercommunity","quotes":["Intermunicipal [See Bylaw 2379 & 2425] | $100.00","The latest list of participating ICBL partners is listed at: www.gov.bc.ca/mobilebusinesslicence"]},{"url":"https://esquimalt.ca.legistar.com/View.ashx?GUID=EC763462-8CB9-4BC0-80C9-4D5003264CCC&ID=62029&M=F","title":"Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 3144, council agenda copy (Legistar), Township of Esquimalt","section":"Schedule B","quotes":["Classes of Business eligible for Intermunicipal Business Licence:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $250 ($200 if paid early, $300 if late) for conducting a business without a licence.","short":"Notice $250 ($200 if paid early)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Township of Esquimalt","section":"Schedule F, s. 12.1","quotes":["Conduct business without a licence $250.00 $200.00 $300.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144 (in effect January 1, 2025)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Township of Esquimalt","section":"Schedule F","quotes":["Business License and Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144"]},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Township of Esquimalt","section":"Updated Business Licence Bylaw","quotes":["The new fees and categories will come into effect on January 1, 2025"]}],"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\nAll businesses operating in Esquimalt need a valid Township business licence or a valid Intermunicipal business licence. This includes home occupations, commercial and professional offices, owners of rental apartment properties, and all non-resident businesses. The rules are in the Township's [Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/business-licence-and-regulation-bylaw-2024-no-3144-0). The adopted PDF is a scan; the fees below match the Township's web page.\n\nAnnual fees: professional office $100; small commercial (under 465 m²) $100; large commercial $200; home occupation $100; home crafts $50; non-resident $100; apartments $15 per unit. Liquor, cannabis and some other classes are $120 to $2,000. Fees are prorated by quarter in the first year.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check with Development Services (250-414-7103) that your use is permitted, before you sign a lease.\n2. Call Island Health at 250-519-3401 to find out if you need a Health Inspection Certificate.\n3. Apply online through MyEsquimalt or in person. The Licence Officer may ask for a floor plan sketch, proof of insurance and incorporation documents.\n4. Renew by January 31 each year. Renewal notices go out by email (if you signed up for eBilling) or Canada Post.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Late renewal: from February, an unrenewed licence gets a $25 late fee. If you have closed, return the invoice marked CLOSED or call 250-414-7136.\n- Two other licences exist. The Intermunicipal licence ($100) covers only listed classes, such as contractors and mobile services, across the 13 Greater Victoria municipalities. The Inter-Community Licence for mobile businesses costs $170 under [Bylaw 3189](https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/3189-inter-community-business-licence-bylaw-2026-no-3189), on top of local fees, and needs premises in a participating community (gov.bc.ca/mobilebusinesslicence).\n- Operating without a licence is a bylaw notice of $250 ($200 if paid early, $300 if late). Failing to renew is $150 ($100 early, $200 late); failing to display the licence is $150.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/business-development/business-licences/application-and-business-classifications","title":"Business Classifications and Fees, Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/business-licence-and-regulation-bylaw-2024-no-3144-0","title":"Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144 (PDF, scanned), Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://esquimalt.ca.legistar.com/View.ashx?GUID=EC763462-8CB9-4BC0-80C9-4D5003264CCC&ID=62029&M=F","title":"Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 3144, council agenda copy (Legistar), Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/3189-inter-community-business-licence-bylaw-2026-no-3189","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, 2026, No. 3189 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/media/file/2026-09-bylaw-2839-bylaw-notice-enforcement-consolidation","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.esquimalt.ca/municipal-services/contacts","title":"Contacts, Township of Esquimalt","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/esquimalt/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/business-licence.json"}}