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North Cowichan business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply

Do I need a business licence in North Cowichan, and how do I get one?

North Cowichan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

Who needs oneAnyone 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.Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), s. 2(1)-(3); Business Licensing, intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
A business licence is required for anyone (resident or non-resident) who provides a service in North Cowichan
FeeApplication $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.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, Schedule E, Section 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
How to applyEmail 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.Business Licensing, Applying for a new business licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
RenewalLicences 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.Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), s. 4(3), 10; Business Licensing, Renewing your existing business licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Make a credit card payment through MyMuni.
Inter-community licenceYes. 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.Business Licensing, Inter-Community Business Licence; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784, Schedule E, Section 1, Item 9; Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), s. 7.2(12) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Inter-Community Business Licence 9 $170
Note: for business started after July 1, the fee is $85
A mobile food service licence is not available as an intermunicipal business licence.
FineBylaw 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.Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677, Business Licence Bylaw schedule; Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw, Section 4 Business Licence Bylaw; Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), s. 12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
No Business Licence 2(1)(a) $200
a fine not exceeding $200 plus the cost of prosecution.
BylawBusiness Licence Bylaw 2002, Bylaw No. 3153 (consolidation current to May 14, 2026).Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026), cover · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW 2002 Bylaw 3153

How it works

North Cowichan requires a valid licence under Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 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

The same question in other places

Duncan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Sidney · Lake Cowichan · Central Saanich

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Business Licensing, Municipality of North Cowichan (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Business Licence Bylaw 2002, No. 3153 (PDF, current to May 14, 2026) (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3784 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Bylaw Offence Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 3677 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

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