---
title: "Township of Langley business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in the Township of Langley, and how do I get one?"
place: Township of Langley, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/langley-township
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: Township of Langley
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/business-licence.json"
---

# Township of Langley business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a business licence in the Township of Langley, and how do I get one?

**Short answer:** Yes. In the Township of Langley (not the City of Langley) every business needs a licence, including home-based businesses, contractors from other municipalities, and non-profits (no fee). Fees depend on type, for example $160 for a retail or office up to 500 m², plus a $50 application fee. Apply online.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Township of Langley, https://www.tol.ca)  
**Cost:** Depends on type: Accessory Home Occupation $50; commercial, retail or office up to 500 m² $160; restaurant $275; non-resident $290. Plus a $50 application fee, deducted from the first-year fee.  
**How long:** Allow at least 30 business days for new or relocating businesses.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Permits, Licences and Inspections, 604-533-6018
- Email: Business licences, buslic@tol.ca
- In person: Civic Facility (Municipal Hall), 20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3J1 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (building permit applications accepted 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.))

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** All businesses operating in the Township, including home-based, commercial and industrial businesses, and businesses from other municipalities working there, such as contractors. Non-profits need a licence too, at no fee.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/business-licences.aspx)
  - Official wording: "All businesses operating in the Township of Langley, including home-based, commercial, and industrial businesses, must have a valid Business Licence." … "Yes, a business licence is required, however there are no fees required."
  - Source: [Licencing Bylaw No. 5878, s. 3.1](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Licencing-Bylaw-(No.-5878%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "to operate, a Business or Non-Profit in the Township of Langley without a Licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Depends on type. Examples: Accessory Home Occupation $50; commercial, retail or office up to 500 m² $160; restaurant $275; non-resident $290. Plus a $50 application fee, deducted from the first-year fee. Fees are in Schedule 19 of Bylaw 4616.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, Schedule 19](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Based on gross floor area (GFA) of the premises $160.00 described 0-500 Sq. Metres GFA" … "Non-Profit $0.00 Restaurant $275.00" … "Accessory Home Occupation $50.00" … "other such entities where they have their principal location in $290.00" … "deducted from the Licence Fee payable for the first year. Fee not $50.00"
  - Source: [Business Licences, FAQ](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/business-licences.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Annual fees are outlined in Schedule 19 of the Township of Langley Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4616."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Check zoning (GeoSource), choose the licence type (home-based, inter-municipal, non-resident, or retail/commercial/industrial/other), and apply online. Building and Fire inspections may be required; allow at least 30 business days for new or relocating businesses.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Applying for a Business Licence](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/business-licences.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Ensure your business location is zoned for your type of business." … "Inspections such as Building and Fire Department may be required before approval; therefore, new or relocating businesses should allow at least 30 business days for processing."
  - Source: [Licencing Bylaw No. 5878, s. 4.3](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Licencing-Bylaw-(No.-5878%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "refer the Licence Application to one or more Township departments to determine"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** All licences now expire December 31 (single annual cycle from 2026). Renewal notices go out at the start of December (the page also says mid-November); payment is due January 31. Most can be renewed online. A 5% penalty applies 30 days after the due date, and another 5% after 90 days.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Renewing an existing business licence](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/business-licences.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Starting January 1, 2026 all business licences will be renewed annually on the same date (January 1 – December 31)." … "Renewal notices for the upcoming year are sent at the beginning of December, and payments are due by January 31." … "A 5% penalty will be added to unpaid licence fees 30 days after the due date, with an additional 5% penalty after 90 days."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. The Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence is $250, valid to December 31, for trades contractors, construction-related professionals and in-home health care workers. It is in addition to the base licence. It covers Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Hope, Kent, City of Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, Pitt Meadows, Surrey and Harrison Hot Springs.
  - Source: [Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence, Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence page](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/fraser-valley-inter-municipal-business-licence.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Cost of the IMBL is $250 per licence and is valid from the date of application to December 31 of the same year" … "Trades contractors, construction-related professionals, and in-home health care workers may be eligible" … "City of Pitt Meadows"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 for doing business without a licence (Licencing Bylaw s. 3.1). Other notices: $100 for failing to post a licence.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2008, No. 4703, Licencing Bylaw No. 5878 schedule](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-2008-(No.-4703%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence 3.1 $500.00" … "Failure to post Licence in 10.3 $100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Licencing Bylaw No. 5878 (fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007 No. 4616, Schedule 19)
  - Source: [Licencing Bylaw No. 5878, title](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Licencing-Bylaw-(No.-5878%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "LICENCING BYLAW NO. 5878"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, title; Schedule 19](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW 2007 NO. 4616" … "SCHEDULE 19. LICENCE FEES"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the Township of Langley's [Licencing Bylaw](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Licencing-Bylaw-(No.-5878).pdf) (a separate municipality from the City of Langley), all businesses operating in the Township need a licence. That includes home-based, commercial and industrial businesses, and businesses from other municipalities working here, such as contractors. Non-profits need a licence too, at no fee. A licence is valid only for the listed property and is not transferable.

Fees depend on the type and are in Schedule 19 of the [Fees and Charges Bylaw](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616).pdf). Examples: Accessory Home Occupation $50; commercial, retail or office up to 500 m² $160; restaurant $275; non-resident $290. A $50 application fee is deducted from the first-year fee. Rental accommodation is $160 plus $5 per unit. Multi-year licences are discounted 10% to 25% per year for Group A types.

## Steps

1. Check your zoning with GeoSource (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Choose the licence type (home-based, inter-municipal, non-resident, or retail, commercial, industrial or other) and apply online through the [Township's business licence page](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/business-licences.aspx). Building and Fire inspections may be required; allow at least 30 business days for new or relocating businesses.
3. Renew each year. All licences expire December 31 (single annual cycle from 2026). Payment is due January 31, and most can be renewed online. A 5% penalty applies 30 days after the due date, and another 5% after 90 days.

## Good to know

- Trades contractors, construction-related professionals and in-home health care workers can buy the [Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/fraser-valley-inter-municipal-business-licence.aspx) for $250, valid to December 31, in addition to the base licence. It covers Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Hope, Kent, City of Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, Pitt Meadows, Surrey and Harrison Hot Springs. The Township issues it when it holds your base licence.
- Renewal notices go out at the start of December, though a banner on the page says mid-November. Confirm with the Township.
- Fines: a bylaw notice is $500 for doing business without a licence, and $100 for failing to post a licence. The schedule gives no early-payment amount; a notice is paid or disputed within 14 days.
- Help: 604-533-6018 or buslic@tol.ca.

## Official forms and pages

- [Licencing Bylaw No. 5878 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Licencing-Bylaw-(No.-5878%29.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf)
- [Business Licences, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/business-licences.aspx)
- [Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/fraser-valley-inter-municipal-business-licence.aspx)

## Related questions

- [Township of Langley home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/home-based-business.md)
- [Township of Langley zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Township of Langley short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/short-term-rental.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/business-licence.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/business-licence.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/business-licence.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/business-licence.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/business-licence.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Licencing Bylaw No. 5878 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Licencing-Bylaw-(No.-5878%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Building-Bylaws/Fees-and-Charges-Bylaw-(No.-4616%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licences, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/business-licences.aspx) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence, Township of Langley](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/fraser-valley-inter-municipal-business-licence.aspx) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2008, No. 4703 (PDF)](https://www.tol.ca/en/services/resources/bylaw-services/bylaws/Other-Bylaws/Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-Bylaw-2008-(No.-4703%29.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Township of Langley. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/business-licence/_