{"title":"Ladysmith business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Ladysmith, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","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":"Town of Ladysmith","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in Ladysmith anyone carrying on a business, including a home based business, needs a Town business licence. It costs $100 a year, or $50 for a new business applying between July 1 and December 31. Send the application to the Financial Services Coordinator.","aliases":["business licence ladysmith","business license ladysmith","inter-community business licence ladysmith","start a business ladysmith"],"cost":"$100 a year; $50 for a new business applying July 1 to December 31. Inter-Community Business Licence: an extra $170.","how_long":"The licence is issued once the inspector is satisfied the applicant meets the building, zoning, health, sanitation and business bylaws. No time is stated.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Financial Services Coordinator","value":"250-245-6414 ext. 6210"},{"type":"email","label":"Business licences","value":"bl@ladysmith.ca"},{"type":"online","label":"Business Licences, Town of Ladysmith","value":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/business-resources/business-licences"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licence Application 2026 (PDF)","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/jobs-rfps-tenders/bl-application-2026.pdf?sfvrsn=58df3db_6"},{"title":"Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF)","url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Ladysmith home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Ladysmith short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Ladysmith zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Ladysmith bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/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":"Anyone carrying on a business in Ladysmith, including home based businesses. A separate licence is needed for each business location.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19","title":"Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), Town of Ladysmith","section":"ss. 3.1, 3.2","quotes":["No person shall carry on a business within the Town of Ladysmith unless a valid and","subsisting license has been issued for the business.","A person who carries on business from more than one location shall obtain a"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/b-d---informational-documents-2021/home-based-business-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=25228ba3_2","title":"Home Based Business Guide (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Other Considerations","quotes":["All home based business require a business licence"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"$100 a year. A new business applying between July 1 and December 31 pays $50.","short":"$100 a year","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/business-resources/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Ladysmith","section":"Business Licences","quotes":["The cost of an annual business licence is $100.","If you are a new business to Ladysmith and apply between July 1st and December 31st, your cost will be prorated to $50."]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/jobs-rfps-tenders/bl-application-2026.pdf?sfvrsn=58df3db_6","title":"Business Licence Application 2026 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Application","quotes":["Ladysmith $100.00 - Inter- Municipal (includes Duncan, North Cowichan and Lake Cowichan) ($50.00 after July 1)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Complete the Business Licence Application before starting operation and send it to the Town's Financial Services Coordinator (250.245.6414 ext. 6210, bl@ladysmith.ca). The licence is issued once the inspector is satisfied the applicant meets the building, zoning, health, sanitation and business bylaws.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19","title":"Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), Town of Ladysmith","section":"ss. 4.1, 7.1","quotes":["The owner or operator of every business shall make application to the License Inspector","for a business license prior to commencing operation","When the License Inspector is satisfied that an applicant has complied with the bylaws","of the Town of Ladysmith regulating building, zoning, health, sanitation and business,"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/business-resources/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Ladysmith","section":"Business Licences","quotes":["contact the Financial Services Coordinator at 250.245.6414 ext. 6210, or email bl@ladysmith.ca."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences run for the calendar year and expire December 31. The annual fee must be paid before February 28 or the licence is deemed revoked; a 25% penalty is added to unpaid licences as at March 1.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19","title":"Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), Town of Ladysmith","section":"ss. 5.2, 6.1, 9.2, 9.3","quotes":["issued for a calendar year and shall expire on December 31 of each year.","No license holder shall carry on business without renewing the license and paying the annual fee prior to February 28","A 25% penalty will be added to each unpaid Business License as at March 1 in each year."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. For mobile businesses that go from client to client and have premises in Ladysmith: an Inter-Community Business Licence for an extra $170, covering the other participating jurisdictions (central Vancouver Island and Greater Victoria). The $100 licence is also valid in Duncan, North Cowichan and Lake Cowichan.","short":"Yes, $170 (mobile businesses)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/business-resources/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Ladysmith","section":"Business Licences","quotes":["Ladysmith business owners that travel to other municipalities to carry out work, can now purchase an Inter-Community Business Licence for an additional $170.00.","The Town of Ladysmith is pleased to offer inter-municipal business licences with the City of Duncan, the District of North Cowichan and the Town of Lake Cowichan."]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2230-inter-community-business-licence-bylaw.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025, No. 2230 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"ss. 3(b), 4(a)","quotes":["The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $170 and will be retained by","maintains a Premises in the Participating Jurisdiction;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw 1513 sets a court fine of up to $2,000, up to six months in jail, or both. The ticket schedule's 'No business licence' $100 entry is under the repealed Bylaw 876.","short":"No current ticket; up to $2,000 in court","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19","title":"Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), Town of Ladysmith","section":"ss. 14.1, 16","quotes":["A person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw commits an offence punishable","upon summary conviction and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $2,000.00, to"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1457-ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"Schedule 5","quotes":["RE: BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW 1987, NO. 876","No business licence 3(1) $100.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (fees by reference to Intermunicipal Business License Agreement Bylaw No. 1496); Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025, No. 2230.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19","title":"Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), Town of Ladysmith","section":"title","quotes":["Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513","Intermunicipal Business License Agreement Bylaw 2003, 1496"]},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2230-inter-community-business-licence-bylaw.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025, No. 2230 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","section":"title","quotes":["Town of Ladysmith Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025 No. 2230"]}],"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\nUnder the [Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19), anyone carrying on a business in Ladysmith needs a licence, including home based businesses. You need a separate licence for each business location. Government bodies and their agencies are excluded. Licences run for the calendar year and expire December 31.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Complete the Business Licence Application before you start operating.\n2. Send it to the Financial Services Coordinator (250-245-6414 ext. 6210, bl@ladysmith.ca). The Town's pages do not say whether applications are accepted online.\n3. The licence is issued once the inspector is satisfied you meet the building, zoning, health, sanitation and business bylaws. Liquor-licensed businesses are first considered by Council.\n4. Renew each year. The annual fee must be paid before February 28 or the licence is deemed revoked; a 25% penalty is added to unpaid licences as at March 1.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Inter-Community licence: mobile businesses that go from client to client and have premises in Ladysmith can buy an Inter-Community Business Licence for an extra $170, covering other participating jurisdictions (central Vancouver Island and Greater Victoria) under [Bylaw 2230](https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2230-inter-community-business-licence-bylaw.pdf). Non-profits pay no Inter-Community fee. The $100 licence is also valid in Duncan, North Cowichan and Lake Cowichan.\n- Cannabis cultivation, production and research licences cost $450 initially or on a change of location and $200 in later years.\n- Fees are not refundable after issue.\n- Penalty: Bylaw 1513 sets a court fine of up to $2,000, up to six months in jail, or both. The 2021 ticket schedule lists a $100 \"No business licence\" ticket under a bylaw that was repealed, so confirm with the Town (bylaw@ladysmith.ca, 250-245-6446).\n- Landlords of rental units: \"Failure to obtain a business license\" is a $500 ticket.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/business-development/business-resources/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1513-business-licence-bylaw.pdf?sfvrsn=a8ada13c_19","title":"Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/jobs-rfps-tenders/bl-application-2026.pdf?sfvrsn=58df3db_6","title":"Business Licence Application 2026 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/2230-inter-community-business-licence-bylaw.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025, No. 2230 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/b-d---informational-documents-2021/home-based-business-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=25228ba3_2","title":"Home Based Business Guide (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/docs/default-source/bylaws-2021/1457-ticket-information-utilization-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.ladysmith.ca/city-hall/city-departments/department-contacts","title":"Department Contacts, Town of Ladysmith","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/ladysmith/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/business-licence.json"}}