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

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

Esquimalt, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

Who needs one	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.Business Licences, Who requires a business licence? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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.
Fee	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.Business Classifications and Fees, Business classifications; Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 3144, council agenda copy (Legistar), Schedule A; s. 15.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 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
How to apply	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.Business Classifications and Fees, Apply online; Business Licences, Business Licences page; Contacts, Business Licencing; Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 3144, council agenda copy (Legistar), s. 13.3, 14 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Apply online using MyEsquimalt The online platform allows users to apply for, review, renew and pay by credit card 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 Business Licencing Department Strategic Initiatives Phone 250-414-7136 Email business@esquimalt.ca This process can be completed online or in person. proof of property, vehicle and/or comprehensive liability insurance coverage.
Renewal	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.Business Licences, Business licence renewal; Business Classifications and Fees, Renewal · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. Payment is due by January 31 each year.
Inter-community licence	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.Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, 2026, No. 3189, s. 4(a)-(b); Business Classifications and Fees, Intermunicipal and Intercommunity; Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 3144, council agenda copy (Legistar), Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Intermunicipal [See Bylaw 2379 & 2425] \| $100.00 The latest list of participating ICBL partners is listed at: www.gov.bc.ca/mobilebusinesslicence Classes of Business eligible for Intermunicipal Business Licence:
Fine	Bylaw notice: $250 ($200 if paid early, $300 if late) for conducting a business without a licence.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule F, s. 12.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Conduct business without a licence $250.00 $200.00 $300.00
Bylaw	Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144 (in effect January 1, 2025)Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Schedule F; Business Licences, Updated Business Licence Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Business License and Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144 The new fees and categories will come into effect on January 1, 2025

How it works

All 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. The adopted PDF is a scan; the fees below match the Township's web page.

Annual 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.

Steps

Check with Development Services (250-414-7103) that your use is permitted, before you sign a lease.
Call Island Health at 250-519-3401 to find out if you need a Health Inspection Certificate.
Apply online through MyEsquimalt or in person. The Licence Officer may ask for a floor plan sketch, proof of insurance and incorporation documents.
Renew by January 31 each year. Renewal notices go out by email (if you signed up for eBilling) or Canada Post.

Good to know

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.
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, on top of local fees, and needs premises in a participating community (gov.bc.ca/mobilebusinesslicence).
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.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

View Royal · Victoria · Colwood · Saanich · Oak Bay · Langford

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Business Licences, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
Business Classifications and Fees, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw, 2024, No. 3144 (PDF, scanned), Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 3144, council agenda copy (Legistar), Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, 2026, No. 3189 (PDF), Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2014, No. 2839 (PDF, consolidated), Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)
Contacts, Township of Esquimalt (read 2026-11-06)

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