{"title":"North Cowichan business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in North Cowichan, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-cowichan","name":"North Cowichan","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":"Municipality of North Cowichan","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in North Cowichan, resident or not, needs a valid licence for each place the business operates from. The application fee is $100. Email the form to licensing@northcowichan.ca or apply at Municipal Hall.","aliases":["business licence north cowichan","business license north cowichan","inter-community business licence north cowichan","renew business licence north cowichan"],"cost":"Application $100. Renewal $100 before February 28, $125 after. $50 if the business starts after July 1. Not-for-profit $0. Transfer $10. Mobile food service $200 to $500 a year.","how_long":"The Municipality says to allow a few weeks to 2-3 months for a new licence.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Business Licensing Services","value":"licensing@northcowichan.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licensing Services","value":"250-746-3108"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"7030 Trans-Canada Highway, North Cowichan, B.C. V9L 6A1","note":"Doors open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licensing, Municipality of North Cowichan","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF)","url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"North Cowichan home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"North Cowichan short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"North Cowichan zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/duncan","name":"Duncan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-saanich","name":"North Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sidney","name":"Sidney","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-cowichan","name":"Lake Cowichan","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/central-saanich","name":"Central Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-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 North Cowichan, resident or not, needs a valid licence for each place the business operates from. Exceptions include charity-proceeds performances and some out-of-town traders and carriers.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026)","section":"s. 2(1)-(3)","quotes":["a person must hold a valid licence to carry on a business, and","a person who carries on a business from more than one place in North Cowichan must hold a valid licence for each place from which the person carries on the business.","A person does not need to hold a licence to carry on a performance, concert, exhibition, entertainment, or concession, if its proceeds are donated to charity"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing","title":"Business Licensing, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"intro","quotes":["A business licence is required for anyone (resident or non-resident) who provides a service in North Cowichan"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Application $100. Renewal $100 before February 28, $125 after. $50 if the business starts after July 1. Not-for-profit $0. Transfer $10. Mobile food service licences are $200 to $500 a year.","short":"$100 renewal ($125 after); $100 application","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF)","section":"Schedule E, Section 1","quotes":["Business Licence Application $100","Business Licence Application – not for profit organization $0","Business Licence Renewal – before February 28 $100","Business Licence Late Renewal – after February 28 $125","Business Licence Application – for business started after July 1 $50","Business Licence Transfer $10"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Email the application form to licensing@northcowichan.ca or apply in person at Municipal Hall, 7030 Trans Canada Hwy. Staff review, then an invoice is sent; the licence issues on payment. Zoning is checked with Development Services. Allow a few weeks to 2-3 months.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing","title":"Business Licensing, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Applying for a new business licence","quotes":["Fill in the application form and email it to licensing@northcowichan.ca.","applicant submits the completed application; - review and approval; - invoice sent to applicant; - payment and licence issued.","Times may range from a few weeks to 2-3 months depending on the type of licence and review the application must undergo.","North Cowichan Municipal Hall 7030 Trans Canada Hwy, North Cowichan"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences expire December 31 of the licence year (itinerant shows expire after one year or one day). Renew before it expires; renewing after February 28 costs $125 instead of $100. Credit card payment is available through MyMuni.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026)","section":"s. 4(3), 10","quotes":["for every other business, after December 31 of the licence year.","pay North Cowichan a licence renewal application fee prescribed in the Fees Bylaw if the licence holder applies to renew the licence after February 28"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing","title":"Business Licensing, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Renewing your existing business licence","quotes":["Make a credit card payment through MyMuni."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. A licensed business can add an inter-community licence for an additional $170 ($85 if the business started after July 1), for $270 a year in total. It covers participating communities including Duncan, Nanaimo, Victoria, Courtenay and Campbell River. Not available for mobile food service.","short":"Yes, $170 ($85 if started after July 1)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing","title":"Business Licensing, Municipality of North Cowichan","section":"Inter-Community Business Licence","quotes":["A business that has a current, up-to-date licence is eligible to obtain an Inter-Community Licence that will allow them to carry on business within the participating areas for an additional fee of $170.","Yearly Inter-Community Licence Fee | $270","City of Campbell River"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF)","section":"Schedule E, Section 1, Item 9","quotes":["Inter-Community Business Licence 9 $170","Note: for business started after July 1, the fee is $85"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026)","section":"s. 7.2(12)","quotes":["A mobile food service licence is not available as an intermunicipal business licence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $200 ($100 if paid within 14 days; $220 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $200. A court fine can be up to $200 plus costs.","short":"Notice $200 ($100 if paid in 14 days); ticket $200","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677 (PDF)","section":"Business Licence Bylaw schedule","quotes":["2 (1)(a) Carry on business without a licence $200 $100 $220 YES","within 14 days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the bylaw notice, the applicable penalty is the Early Payment Penalty"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)","section":"Section 4 Business Licence Bylaw","quotes":["No Business Licence 2(1)(a) $200"]},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026)","section":"s. 12","quotes":["a fine not exceeding $200 plus the cost of prosecution."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw 2002, Bylaw No. 3153 (consolidation current to May 14, 2026).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026)","section":"cover","quotes":["BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW 2002 Bylaw 3153"]}],"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\nNorth Cowichan requires a valid licence under [Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf) for anyone carrying on a business in the municipality, for each place the business operates from. Exceptions include performances for charity proceeds and some out-of-town traders and carriers. Licences expire on December 31 of the licence year (itinerant shows expire after one year or one day).\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Contact the office before signing any lease or purchase agreement, so zoning can be checked with Development Services.\n2. Email the application form to licensing@northcowichan.ca, or apply in person at Municipal Hall.\n3. Staff review it, then send an invoice. The licence issues on payment.\n4. Renew before it expires. Renewing after February 28 costs $125 instead of $100. Credit card payment is available through MyMuni.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Inter-community licence:** a licensed business can add one for an additional $170 ($85 if the business started after July 1). The website gives the yearly total as $270. It covers participating communities including Duncan, Nanaimo, Victoria, Courtenay and Campbell River. It is not available for mobile food service.\n- Mobile food service licences: $200 (private property cart, truck or trailer), $300 (food cart, private and public) and $500 (truck or trailer, private and public).\n- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $200 ($100 if paid within 14 days; $220 after 28 days); a municipal ticket is $200. A court fine can be up to $200 plus costs.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing","title":"Business Licensing, Municipality of North Cowichan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)","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/north-cowichan/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/business-licence.json"}}