---
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?"
place: North Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-cowichan
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: Municipality of North Cowichan
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/business-licence.json"
---

# 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?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Municipality of North Cowichan, https://www.northcowichan.ca)  
**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:**
- Email: Business Licensing Services, licensing@northcowichan.ca
- Phone: Business Licensing Services, 250-746-3108
- In person: Municipal Hall, 7030 Trans-Canada Highway, North Cowichan, B.C. V9L 6A1 (Doors open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), s. 2(1)-(3)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business Licensing, intro](https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "A business licence is required for anyone (resident or non-resident) who provides a service in North Cowichan"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** 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.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, Schedule E, Section 1](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Applying for a new business licence](https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), s. 4(3), 10](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Renewing your existing business licence](https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "Make a credit card payment through MyMuni."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Inter-Community Business Licence](https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, Schedule E, Section 1, Item 9](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Inter-Community Business Licence 9 $170" … "Note: for business started after July 1, the fee is $85"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), s. 7.2(12)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A mobile food service licence is not available as an intermunicipal business licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, Business Licence Bylaw schedule](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Section 4 Business Licence Bylaw](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence 2(1)(a) $200"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), s. 12](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a fine not exceeding $200 plus the cost of prosecution."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw 2002, Bylaw No. 3153 (consolidation current to May 14, 2026).
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), cover](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW 2002 Bylaw 3153"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

North 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).

## Steps

1. Contact the office before signing any lease or purchase agreement, so zoning can be checked with Development Services.
2. Email the application form to licensing@northcowichan.ca, or apply in person at Municipal Hall.
3. Staff review it, then send an invoice. The licence issues on payment.
4. Renew before it expires. Renewing after February 28 costs $125 instead of $100. Credit card payment is available through MyMuni.

## Good to know

- **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.
- 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).
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licensing, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf)

## Related questions

- [North Cowichan home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/home-based-business.md)
- [North Cowichan short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/short-term-rental.md)
- [North Cowichan zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Duncan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/duncan/business-licence.md)
- [Ladysmith](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/business-licence.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/business-licence.md)
- [Sidney](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/business-licence.md)
- [Lake Cowichan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-cowichan/business-licence.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licensing, Municipality of North Cowichan](https://www.northcowichan.ca/business-development/business-licensing) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2024-08/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677 (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/Bylaw%20Offence%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw%2C%20No.%203677%2C%202021.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF)](https://www.northcowichan.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20System.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 Municipality of North Cowichan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-cowichan/business-licence/_