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

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

Township of Langley, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.Business Licences, Business Licences page; Licencing Bylaw No. 5878, s. 3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. to operate, a Business or Non-Profit in the Township of Langley without a Licence.
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.Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, Schedule 19; Business Licences, FAQ · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Annual fees are outlined in Schedule 19 of the Township of Langley Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4616.
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.Business Licences, Applying for a Business Licence; Licencing Bylaw No. 5878, s. 4.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. refer the Licence Application to one or more Township departments to determine
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.Business Licences, Renewing an existing business licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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.
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.Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence, Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
Fine	Bylaw notice: $500 for doing business without a licence (Licencing Bylaw s. 3.1). Other notices: $100 for failing to post a licence.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2008, No. 4703, Licencing Bylaw No. 5878 schedule · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No Business Licence 3.1 $500.00 Failure to post Licence in 10.3 $100.00
Bylaw	Licencing Bylaw No. 5878 (fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007 No. 4616, Schedule 19)Licencing Bylaw No. 5878, title; Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616, title; Schedule 19 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording LICENCING BYLAW NO. 5878 FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW 2007 NO. 4616 SCHEDULE 19. LICENCE FEES

How it works

Under the Township of Langley's Licencing Bylaw (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. 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

Check your zoning with GeoSource (see the zoning-lookup answer).
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. Building and Fire inspections may be required; allow at least 30 business days for new or relocating businesses.
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 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

The same question in other places

Langley City · Surrey · White Rock · Maple Ridge · Port Coquitlam · Mission

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Licencing Bylaw No. 5878 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw 2007, No. 4616 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Business Licences, Township of Langley (read 2026-11-06)
Fraser Valley Inter-municipal Business Licence, Township of Langley (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2008, No. 4703 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

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