---
title: "Langford business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Langford, and how do I get one?"
place: Langford, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/langford
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Langford
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/business-licence.json"
---

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

**Question:** Do I need a business licence in Langford, and how do I get one?

**Short answer:** Yes. Every business operating in the City of Langford needs a City business licence, and each premises needs its own. Apply online, by email, in person or by mail; the City says review takes about 2 to 4 weeks. Resident licences do not expire or need renewal.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Langford, https://www.langford.ca)  
**Cost:** On the City's application form: $100 for a commercial business under 5,000 sq. ft., $200 for one over 5,000 sq. ft., $100 for a home occupation or home office, $100 non-resident, $100 inter-municipal.  
**How long:** The City says review by Planning, Bylaw, Building and Fire takes about 2 to 4 weeks.  
**Where:**
- Online: Online application form, https://businesslicence.langford.ca/
- Email: Business licensing, businesslicence@langford.ca
- In person: Langford City Hall, Second Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC V9B 2X8 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday; closed statutory holidays)
- By mail: Mail to Business Licensing, City of Langford, Attn: Business Licensing, Second Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC V9B 2X8

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** All businesses operating in Langford need a business licence. Non-resident businesses (based outside Langford but operating within it) can get a non-resident licence. A separate licence is needed for each premises.
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Business licences](https://langford.ca/business/advantages/business-licensing/)
  - Official wording: "All businesses operating in the City of Langford require a business licence to operate." … "you can apply for a Non-Resident business licence."
  - Source: [Business Licence and Business Regulation Bylaw 216, 1997 (consolidated to 2016), s. 2](https://www.langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/216-Business-Licence-and-Business-Regulation-CONSOLIDATED-to-September-2016-ADMINISTRATIVE-REVISION-20251113.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall carry on business in the District without a Business Licence." … "shall obtain a separate Business Licence for each premises."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Commercial under 5,000 sq. ft.: $100. Commercial over 5,000 sq. ft.: $200. Home occupation or home office: $100. Non-resident: $100. Inter-municipal: $100.
  - Source: [Business Licence Application form, Licence type](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Business-Licence-Application-Form-Fillable.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Commercial - Small (under 5,000 sq. ft.) Fee: $100" … "Commercial - Large (over 5,000 sq. ft.) Fee: $200" … "Home Occupation or Home Office Fee: $100"
  - Source: [Business Licence and Business Regulation Bylaw 216, 1997 (consolidated to 2016), Schedule A](https://www.langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/216-Business-Licence-and-Business-Regulation-CONSOLIDATED-to-September-2016-ADMINISTRATIVE-REVISION-20251113.pdf)
  - Official wording: "4. Commercial - Large (more than 464.5 sq. metres) $200.00 (5,000 sq. feet) of gross floor area of buildings used for business 5. Non-Resident $100.00" … "1. Home Crafts $ 50.00 2. Inter-municipal $100.00 3. Commercial - Small (464.5 sq. metres) $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Apply online, by email to businesslicence@langford.ca, in person at City Hall (2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue), or by mail. Include floor plan, parking plan and Island Health approval where applicable. Planning, bylaw, building and fire departments review it (about 2 to 4 weeks). Fee is requested after approval; debit, cash or cheque only.
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Step by Step Application Process](https://langford.ca/business/advantages/business-licensing/)
  - Official wording: "the application will be reviewed by the planning, bylaw, building and fire departments." … "The general timeframe for review and approval is 2-4 weeks" … "Payment of the application fee will be requested once the application has been reviewed and approved" … "We do not accept credit cards or electronic transfers." … "by email:"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Resident licences are perpetual: no expiry or renewal unless the business closes, changes ownership or moves. Non-resident licences are valid up to one year and must be renewed.
  - Source: [Business Licensing, FAQ](https://langford.ca/business/advantages/business-licensing/)
  - Official wording: "As of January 2014, Langford business licences are perpetual and there is no expiry or renewal requirement unless the business closes, changes ownership, or moves to a new location." … "must be renewed to remain valid."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. An inter-municipal licence for Langford businesses lets a mobile business operate in all 13 participating CRD municipalities (including Central Saanich, Colwood, Esquimalt, Highlands, Metchosin, North Saanich, Oak Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Sooke, Victoria, View Royal and Langford). Fee: $100.
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Inter-Municipal Licences](https://langford.ca/business/advantages/business-licensing/)
  - Official wording: "Inter-municipal licences are available to Langford residents which allows a mobile business to operate in all thirteen (13) participating municipalities" … "The application form is the same for both a regular business licence and an inter-municipal licence."
  - Source: [Business Licence and Business Regulation Bylaw 216, 1997 (consolidated to 2016), Schedule A](https://www.langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/216-Business-Licence-and-Business-Regulation-CONSOLIDATED-to-September-2016-ADMINISTRATIVE-REVISION-20251113.pdf)
  - Official wording: "1. Home Crafts $ 50.00 2. Inter-municipal $100.00 3. Commercial - Small (464.5 sq. metres) $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Not confirmed. The documents read give no ticket amount for operating without a licence.
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence and Business Regulation Bylaw No. 216, 1997 (consolidated to September 19, 2016)
  - Source: [Business Licence and Business Regulation Bylaw 216, 1997 (consolidated to 2016), title](https://www.langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/216-Business-Licence-and-Business-Regulation-CONSOLIDATED-to-September-2016-ADMINISTRATIVE-REVISION-20251113.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence and Business Regulation Bylaw 216, 1997"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Business Licence and Business Regulation Bylaw No. 216](https://www.langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/216-Business-Licence-and-Business-Regulation-CONSOLIDATED-to-September-2016-ADMINISTRATIVE-REVISION-20251113.pdf), all businesses operating in Langford need a business licence, with a separate licence for each premises. A business based outside Langford that operates in the city can get a non-resident licence.

Resident licences are perpetual: no expiry or renewal unless the business closes, changes ownership or moves. Non-resident licences are valid up to one year and must be renewed.

## Steps

1. Check zoning with Planning (250-478-7882) before you choose a location.
2. Fill in the application. Include a floor plan and parking plan, and Island Health approval where applicable.
3. Send it online, by email to businesslicence@langford.ca, in person at City Hall or by mail. Planning, bylaw, building and fire departments review it, which takes about 2 to 4 weeks.
4. Pay after approval, when the City asks. The City accepts debit, cash or cheque only.

## Good to know

- Fees on the City's current application form: commercial under 5,000 sq. ft. $100; commercial over 5,000 sq. ft. $200; home occupation or home office $100; non-resident $100; inter-municipal $100.
- Bylaw 216 is consolidated only to 2016, and its fee schedule differs from the current form (it lists Home Crafts at $50). Confirm fees with the City.
- An inter-municipal licence lets a mobile business operate in all 13 participating CRD municipalities for $100.
- Bylaw 216 sets a maximum court penalty of $5,000 per offence. The documents we read give no ticket amount.
- The City does not currently require a business licence for short-term rentals.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licensing page](https://langford.ca/business/advantages/business-licensing/)
- [Business Licence Application Form (PDF)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Business-Licence-Application-Form-Fillable.pdf)
- [Business Licence and Business Regulation Bylaw 216 (PDF, consolidated to September 2016)](https://www.langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/216-Business-Licence-and-Business-Regulation-CONSOLIDATED-to-September-2016-ADMINISTRATIVE-REVISION-20251113.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Langford home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/home-based-business.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/business-licence.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/business-licence.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/business-licence.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/business-licence.md)
- [Metchosin](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/business-licence.md)
- [Sooke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sooke/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licensing, City of Langford](https://langford.ca/business/advantages/business-licensing/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Application form, City of Langford (PDF)](https://langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Business-Licence-Application-Form-Fillable.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence and Business Regulation Bylaw 216, 1997 (consolidated to 2016) (PDF)](https://www.langford.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/216-Business-Licence-and-Business-Regulation-CONSOLIDATED-to-September-2016-ADMINISTRATIVE-REVISION-20251113.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Langford. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/business-licence/_