{"title":"District of North Vancouver business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in the District of North Vancouver, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","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":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://www.dnv.org"},"short_answer":"Yes. In the District of North Vancouver (not the City), anyone carrying on business there needs a licence, including non-profits and out-of-town businesses working in the District. Fees depend on the business category. Apply with the general application and pay in full; licences expire December 31.","aliases":["business licence district of north vancouver","dnv business licence","inter-municipal business licence north shore","business licence renewal dnv"],"cost":"Set by business category in Bylaw 6481, Schedule E. Examples: a shop's first 70 m² $230.90; a business not listed (one or two people) $193.90; professional services (one or two people) $395.80. Minimum fee $20.","how_long":"Not stated in the documents we could read. Fees are half if you start after July 31.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licences","value":"604-990-2480"},{"type":"email","label":"Business Licences email","value":"businesslicences@dnv.org"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC V7N 4N5"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf"},{"title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF)","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf"},{"title":"General business licence application (PDF)","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-app-general.pdf"},{"title":"Business licence information guide, 2010 (PDF)","url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-information-guide.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"District of North Vancouver home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"District of North Vancouver short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"building-permit","title":"District of North Vancouver building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/building-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver","name":"North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vancouver","name":"Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/richmond","name":"Richmond","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/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 business in the District needs a licence, including non-profits and businesses based elsewhere that work in the District. Contractors who apply for permits must hold a valid DNV business licence.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)","section":"s. 401","quotes":["no person shall carry on, within the Municipality, any business unless he is the holder of a valid and subsisting licence"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-information-guide.pdf","title":"Business licence information guide, 2010 (PDF)","section":"Business Licence Required","quotes":["A business licence is required for all businesses based in the District, including non-profit organizations,"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/building-permit-guide.pdf","title":"Building permit guide (PDF)","section":"Apply for trade and other permits","quotes":["If a contractor is doing the work, they must apply for the permit(s) and hold a valid"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Set by business category in Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481, Schedule E. Examples: a shop's first 70 m² $230.90; a business not listed (one or two people) $193.90; professional services (one or two people) $395.80. Minimum fee $20; a home business or non-resident business pays a non-refundable $20 processing fee.","short":"By category: business not listed $193.90","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF)","section":"Schedule E, Licence Fees A, D, E","quotes":["One or two persons engaged in the business $395.80","$230.90","One or two persons engaged in the business $193.90"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)","section":"s. 406(3)","quotes":["In no case shall a licence fee be reduced below $20.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Complete the General Business Licence Application and pay the full fee with it (businesslicences@dnv.org, 604-990-2480). The Inspector approves the premises and checks compliance with building, zoning, health, sanitation and business bylaws. A 2010 guide adds fire, electrical, mechanical and health inspections; confirm they still apply.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-app-general.pdf","title":"General business licence application (PDF)","section":"General Business Licence Application","quotes":["General Business Licence Application","The full business licence fee must be submitted with this application."]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-information-guide.pdf","title":"Business licence information guide, 2010 (PDF)","section":"Business Licence Required","quotes":["A business licence does not authorise the holder to conduct business in violation of the Zoning Bylaw.","Resident commercial businesses will require inspections by the building, electrical, mechanical, and fire"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)","section":"s. 407, 408","quotes":["approved by the Inspector before any such licence is granted,","where he is satisfied that the applicant therefor has complied with the requirements of the bylaws of"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences expire December 31. Renewal notices are emailed in December for the next year. New businesses starting after July 31 (August 1 on the form) pay half the fee.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-app-general.pdf","title":"General business licence application (PDF)","section":"General Business Licence Application","quotes":["Unless otherwise indicated, all licences expire on December 31st of the current year.","Renewal notices are emailed in December for the"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)","section":"s. 414","quotes":["licences shall be issued so as to terminate on the 31st day of","December, and provide that the licence fee prescribed may be reduced by one-half"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. An Inter-Municipal Business Licence covers the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver, for listed trades and services (building, plumbing, painting, landscaping and others). The fee is the category fee plus a $60 administration fee.","short":"Yes, category fee plus $60 (listed trades)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)","section":"s. 530","quotes":["The Municipality may issue an Inter Municipal Business Licence to a person who carries out","the Corporation of the City of North Vancouver and the Corporation of the District"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF)","section":"Schedule E, Licence Fees G","quotes":["The fee payable by any person for an Inter-Municipal Business Licence is the fee applicable to the","specific category of business plus an administration fee of $60.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Operating with no business licence: bylaw notice $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days, $150 late); municipal ticket also $100 (s. 523D). Failure to post the licence $50; untrue information $100. Short-term rental without a licence: notice $500.","short":"Notice $100 ($75 if paid in 14 days); ticket $100","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw 4567","quotes":["401 No business licence 100 75 150","403 Failure to post licence 50 40 75","409A(2) 300 225 450"]},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)","section":"s. 523D Ticketing","quotes":["Pursuant to Sections 264(1)(c) and 265(1)(a) of the Community Charter, the table below sets out"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567, 1974 (consolidation includes Bylaw 8788, July 6, 2026)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)","section":"cover","quotes":["BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW","Bylaw 8788 July 6, 2026"]}],"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\nUnder the [Business Licence Bylaw 4567](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf>), anyone carrying on business in the District of North Vancouver needs a licence. That includes non-profits and businesses based elsewhere that work in the District. Contractors who apply for permits must hold a valid District licence. The District is a different municipality from the City of North Vancouver.\n\nFees are set by business category in [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf>), Schedule E. Examples: a shop's first 70 m² is $230.90; a business not listed (one or two people) is $193.90; professional services (one or two people) is $395.80. The minimum fee is $20. A home business or non-resident business pays a non-refundable $20 processing fee; other resident businesses pay $75.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Complete the [General Business Licence Application](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-app-general.pdf>) and pay the full fee with it. Contact businesslicences@dnv.org or 604-990-2480.\n2. The Inspector approves the premises and checks compliance with building, zoning, health, sanitation and business bylaws. A 2010 [information guide](<https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-information-guide.pdf>) adds fire, electrical, mechanical and health inspections; confirm they still apply.\n3. Renew each year. Licences expire December 31, and renewal notices are emailed in December.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A new business starting after July 31 pays half the fee.\n- An Inter-Municipal Business Licence covers listed trades and services (building, plumbing, painting, landscaping and others) across the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver. The fee is the category fee plus a $60 administration fee.\n- Operating with no licence is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 within 14 days, $150 late). A municipal ticket is also $100. Not posting the licence is $50; untrue information is $100. A short-term rental without a licence is a $500 notice.","sources":[{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-app-general.pdf","title":"General business licence application (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-information-guide.pdf","title":"Business licence information guide, 2010 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/building-permit-guide.pdf","title":"Building permit guide (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (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-vancouver-district/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/business-licence.json"}}