Gibsons business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Gibsons, and how do I get one?
Short answer
Yes, in Gibsons anyone carrying on business for gain or profit needs a Town business licence, renewed each calendar year. Many service businesses pay $240 a year. Apply at Town Hall or by email to beo@gibsons.ca; there is no fee for registered non-profits.
Key facts
| Who needs one | Anyone carrying on business in Gibsons for gain or profit. Resident businesses have a location in the Town; non-resident businesses (trades contractors, mobile businesses) work in the Town temporarily. No fee for registered non-profit organizations.Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), Part II, s. 1; Business Licences; Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), Schedule A Part I, s. 1.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall carry on, within the municipality, any business unless they are the holder of a valid licence If you conduct business within the Town of Gibsons for gain or profit, you are required to have a valid Town of Gibsons Business Licence. There is no licence fee payable for a licence issued to a registered non- |
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| Fee | Annual fee by business class in Schedule A. Many service businesses and shops pay $240 (e.g. accountant, baker, consultant, home occupation); retail is $192 for up to 1,000 sq. ft. plus $9.60 per extra 100 sq. ft.; restaurants $240 for 25 seats plus $9.60 per extra seat.Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), Schedule A Part 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA001 ACCOUNTANT .................................................................................... $240.00 R009 RETAIL FLOOR AREA OF UP TO 1,000 SQ. FT. .................................................. $192.00 THE FIRST 25 SEATS (EXCLUDING SEASONAL OUTDOOR SEATING).......... $240.00 |
| How to apply | Complete the Business Licence Application Form and the Supplemental Checklist (not required for mobile vendors) and bring them to Town Hall, fax 604-886-9735 or email beo@gibsons.ca. Staff check approvals needed for the business type and zoning, then contact you to pay, usually within two business days.Business Licences, Application; Business Licences, What else you need to know · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingComplete the Business License Application Form and the Supplemental Checklist and bring them to Town Hall, fax to 604.886.9735, or email to beo@gibsons.ca. Once all approvals are in place you will be contacted to pay for your Business Licence, usually within two business days. a Building Inspector and/or a Fire Inspector, may conduct a site inspection. |
| Renewal | Licences run January 1 to December 31 each year and fees are charged annually. Renewals can be paid in person at Town Hall (cash, cheque or debit), online through OptionPay (service fee applies), or by mailed cheque.Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), Part II, s. 5; Business Licences, Application & Renewal · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingto commence on the first day of January and to terminate on the thirty-first day of December in each and every year. Business Licence fees are charged annually and can vary depending on the type of business. by mailing a cheque to Town Hall. |
| Inter-community licence | Yes. Under Inter-Community Business Licensing Bylaw No. 1217, 2015, a business that visits clients can work in Gibsons, Sechelt and the Sechelt Indian Government District on one licence. Bylaw 1217 set no extra fee for 2016 and says a separate fee may be set after; no separate fee appears in Schedule A.Business Licences, Types of Business Licences; Inter-Community Business Licensing Bylaw No. 1217, 2015, s. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingInter-community licences allow these types of mobile businesses to conduct business in the Town of Gibsons, the District of Sechelt and/or Sechelt Indian Band. In 2016, there will be no additional fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence After 2016, a separate fee for the Inter-Community Business Licence may be established |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $200 for no business licence ($150 if paid early, $300 if late). In court, $200 to $10,000 or up to six months' imprisonment.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1125 (consolidated), Schedule A, Bylaw 666; Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), Part II, s. 13(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording666 No Business Licence $200 $150 $300 Yes fine of not less than $200.00 and not more than $10,000 or imprisonment |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated July 2026 to include Bylaw No. 666-14)Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW NO. 666 Consolidated for convenience July 2026 |
How it works
Anyone carrying on business in Gibsons for gain or profit needs a licence under Business Licence Bylaw 666. Resident businesses have a location in the Town. Non-resident businesses, such as trades contractors and mobile businesses, work in the Town temporarily and also need a licence. There is no fee for registered non-profit organizations.
The annual fee depends on the business class in Schedule A. Many service businesses and shops pay $240 (for example accountant, baker, consultant, home occupation). Retail is $192 for up to 1,000 sq. ft. plus $9.60 per extra 100 sq. ft. Restaurants pay $240 for 25 seats plus $9.60 per extra seat.
Licences run January 1 to December 31 each year and fees are charged annually.
Steps
- Complete the Business Licence Application Form and the Supplemental Checklist (not required for mobile vendors).
- Bring them to Town Hall, fax 604-886-9735 or email beo@gibsons.ca.
- Staff check the approvals your business type and zoning need, then contact you to pay.
- Renew each year in person at Town Hall (cash, cheque or debit), online through OptionPay (a service fee applies), or by mailed cheque.
Good to know
- Fees are not refundable. They are halved if you become liable after July 31, 10% lower if paid before the licence period starts, and a transfer costs $10.
- Food, alcohol, daycare and beauty services also need Vancouver Coastal Health approval.
- Inter-community licence: under Bylaw 1217, a business that visits clients can work in Gibsons, Sechelt and the Sechelt Indian Government District on one licence. No separate fee is stated in the current schedule; ask Town Hall.
- Fine: a bylaw notice is $200 for no business licence ($150 if paid early, $300 if late). In court, $200 to $10,000 or up to six months' imprisonment.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Bowen Island · Sechelt · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver · Vancouver · Richmond
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), Town of Gibsons (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licences, Town of Gibsons (read 2026-11-06)
- Inter-Community Business Licensing Bylaw No. 1217, 2015, Town of Gibsons (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1125 (consolidated), Town of Gibsons (read 2026-11-06)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.