Hope business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Hope, and how do I get one?
Short answer
Yes. In Hope, every owner or operator of a business needs a District business licence for each premises. A standard licence costs $150 a year. Apply with the Business Licence Application Form; a complete application is typically processed in 10 to 14 business days.
Key facts
| Who needs one | Every owner or operator of a business in the District, with a separate licence for each premises. Not needed for: charity-only events, events in a licensed theatre, wholesale delivery (not contractors), childcare for 2 unrelated children or one family's, renting up to 2 rooms or suites where the owner lives there and rent is monthly or longer, and garage sales (up to 4 weekends a year).Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, s. 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery owner or operator of a business in the Municipality shall hold a valid Every person who carries on business from more than one premise in the not more than two unrelated children, or to the children of one family where not more than two rooms or suites are available limited to one weekend at three month |
|---|---|
| Fee | $150 a year for a standard business licence (January 1 to December 31). Property management, rentals, hotel, motel, apartments and mobile home parks $200; peddlers $150 plus a $500 refundable deposit; ATMs outside banks $30; licence transfer $25. The annual fee is halved for a licence issued after July 31.Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, Schedule B, consolidated to April 2026; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, s. 11(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBusiness Licence $150.00 Property Management/Rentals/Hotel/Motel/Apartments/ $200.00 Licence Transfer Fee (transfer from premises to premises or $25.00 per transfer shall be reduced by one-half in respect of a licence issued after July 31st in any year |
| How to apply | Complete the Business Licence Application Form and submit it to the District (info@hope.ca, 604-869-5671). Planning, Bylaw, Fire and Corporate Services review it; a complete application is typically processed in 10 to 14 business days. A Licence Inspector may grant a licence once satisfied the applicant has complied with building, zoning, health, sanitation and business bylaws.Business Licence Information, How to Apply; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, s. 22 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingComplete the Business Licence Application Form and submit it to the District of Hope. reviewed by the District's Planning, Bylaw, Fire, and Corporate Services departments typically processed within 10 to 14 business days has complied with the bylaws of the District regulating building, zoning, health, 22. A Licence Inspector may grant a licence upon being satisfied that the applicant |
| Renewal | Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal notices go out by December 1; pay before December 31. A 10% discount applies if paid by December 15, and a 10% penalty if paid after January 31. A licence not renewed within 60 days after January 1 is terminated.Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, s. 5, 12 to 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingcommencing each January 1st and expiring each December 31st renewal notices shall be forwarded to the Licencee on or before discounted by ten percent (10%) if payment is received by the District on or before the 15 A late payment penalty of ten percent (10%) will be charged the licence shall be terminated |
| Inter-community licence | Yes. The Fraser Valley Inter-Municipal Business Licence is for mobile businesses (construction trades, land and building maintenance or repair contractors, and health care providers who visit clients at home) that work in other member municipalities. Fee $250, paid to the municipality where you have premises, on top of your municipal licence. Members: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Hope, Kent, Langley (City and Township), Maple Ridge, Mission, Pitt Meadows, Surrey, Harrison Hot Springs.https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86975/Fraser%20Valley%20Inter-Municipal%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw%20%28December%202025%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf, s. 3, 5, 9; Business Licence Information, Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe Inter-Municipal Business Licence fee is $250 and is payable to the Principal Mobile Business” means a trades contractor or other professional related to the District of Hope City of Pitt Meadows District of Kent Village of Harrison Hot Springs participates in the Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL) program |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days; $50 late surcharge after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $1,000. In court, up to $2,000.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026, Schedule A; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1628, 2026, Schedule A; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, s. 34 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBusiness Licence Bylaw, 2003, No. 1124 $200.00 $150.00 $50.00 Yes Business Licence Bylaw, 2003, No. 1124 $1,000.00 liable to a fine of not more than |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw, 2003, No. 1124 (consolidated to February 2019); fees in Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1363, Schedule B (consolidated to April 2026)Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, Title page; Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, Schedule B, consolidated to April 2026, Title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW NO. 1124 (CONSOLIDATED TO FEBRUARY 2019) BYLAW NO # 1363, 2015 |
How it works
Under the Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, every owner or operator of a business in Hope needs a licence, with a separate licence for each premises, including contractors and home-based businesses. Fees are in Schedule B of the Fees & Charges Bylaw. Licences run January 1 to December 31.
Not needed for: charity-only events, events in a licensed theatre, wholesale delivery (not contractors), childcare for two unrelated children or one family's, renting up to two rooms or suites where the owner lives there and rent is monthly or longer, and garage sales (up to four weekends a year).
Steps
- Complete the Business Licence Application Form and submit it to the District (info@hope.ca or 604-869-5671). The page does not say whether it can be submitted online.
- Planning, Bylaw, Fire and Corporate Services review it. A Licence Inspector may grant a licence once satisfied the applicant has complied with building, zoning, health, sanitation and business bylaws.
- Renew each year. Renewal notices go out by December 1; pay before December 31.
Good to know
- Renewal: 10% discount if paid by December 15; 10% penalty if paid after January 31. A licence not renewed within 60 days after January 1 is terminated.
- A licence issued after November 1 is for the next year. Seasonal businesses operating six months or less get a six-month licence.
- Mobile businesses (construction trades, land and building maintenance or repair contractors, health care providers visiting clients at home) working in other member municipalities can get a Fraser Valley Inter-Municipal Business Licence for $250, paid where you have premises. You still need a Hope licence for each premises.
- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $200 ($150 if paid within 14 days; $50 late surcharge after 28 days); a municipal ticket is $1,000. A court fine can be up to $2,000.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Kent · Harrison Hot Springs · Chilliwack · Princeton · Abbotsford · Mission
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licence Information, District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, Schedule B, consolidated to April 2026, District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Fraser Valley Inter-Municipal Business Licence Bylaw No. 1569, 2023 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1627, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1628, 2026 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86975/Fraser%20Valley%20Inter-Municipal%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw%20%28December%202025%29%20-%20Consolidated%20Version.pdf (read 2026-11-06)
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