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

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

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

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.

Key facts

Who needs oneAnyone carrying on a business in Ladysmith, including home based businesses. A separate licence is needed for each business location.Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), ss. 3.1, 3.2; Home Based Business Guide, Other Considerations · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
All home based business require a business licence
Fee$100 a year. A new business applying between July 1 and December 31 pays $50.Business Licences; Business Licence Application 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
Ladysmith $100.00 - Inter- Municipal (includes Duncan, North Cowichan and Lake Cowichan) ($50.00 after July 1)
How to applyComplete 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.Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), ss. 4.1, 7.1; Business Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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,
contact the Financial Services Coordinator at 250.245.6414 ext. 6210, or email bl@ladysmith.ca.
RenewalLicences 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.Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), ss. 5.2, 6.1, 9.2, 9.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
Inter-community licenceYes. 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.Business Licences; Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025, No. 2230, ss. 3(b), 4(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $170 and will be retained by
maintains a Premises in the Participating Jurisdiction;
FineBylaw 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.Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), ss. 14.1, 16; Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw consolidation, Schedule 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
RE: BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW 1987, NO. 876
No business licence 3(1) $100.00
BylawBusiness License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (fees by reference to Intermunicipal Business License Agreement Bylaw No. 1496); Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025, No. 2230.Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), title; Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025, No. 2230, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513
Intermunicipal Business License Agreement Bylaw 2003, 1496
Town of Ladysmith Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025 No. 2230

How it works

Under the Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513, 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.

Steps

  1. Complete the Business Licence Application before you start operating.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Good to know

  • 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. Non-profits pay no Inter-Community fee. The $100 licence is also valid in Duncan, North Cowichan and Lake Cowichan.
  • Cannabis cultivation, production and research licences cost $450 initially or on a change of location and $200 in later years.
  • Fees are not refundable after issue.
  • 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).
  • Landlords of rental units: "Failure to obtain a business license" is a $500 ticket.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

North Cowichan · Duncan · Lake Cowichan · Nanaimo · Lantzville · North Saanich

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Business Licences, Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF, consolidated October 15, 2018), Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Business Licence Application 2026 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025, No. 2230 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Home Based Business Guide (PDF), Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  6. Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw consolidation (PDF), Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  7. Department Contacts, Town of Ladysmith (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.