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

# 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?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of North Vancouver, https://www.dnv.org)  
**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:**
- Phone: Business Licences, 604-990-2480
- Email: Business Licences email, businesslicences@dnv.org
- In person: Municipal Hall, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC V7N 4N5

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 4567, s. 401](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no person shall carry on, within the Municipality, any business unless he is the holder of a valid and subsisting licence"
  - Source: [Business licence information guide, 2010, Business Licence Required](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-information-guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A business licence is required for all businesses based in the District, including non-profit organizations,"
  - Source: [Building permit guide, Apply for trade and other permits](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/building-permit-guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "If a contractor is doing the work, they must apply for the permit(s) and hold a valid"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** 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.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481, Schedule E, Licence Fees A, D, E](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf)
  - Official wording: "One or two persons engaged in the business $395.80" … "$230.90" … "One or two persons engaged in the business $193.90"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 4567, s. 406(3)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf)
  - Official wording: "In no case shall a licence fee be reduced below $20.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** 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.
  - Source: [General business licence application, General Business Licence Application](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-app-general.pdf)
  - Official wording: "General Business Licence Application" … "The full business licence fee must be submitted with this application."
  - Source: [Business licence information guide, 2010, Business Licence Required](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-information-guide.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 4567, s. 407, 408](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** 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.
  - Source: [General business licence application, General Business Licence Application](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-app-general.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Unless otherwise indicated, all licences expire on December 31st of the current year." … "Renewal notices are emailed in December for the"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 4567, s. 414](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 4567, s. 530](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481, Schedule E, Licence Fees G](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** 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.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458, Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw 4567](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.pdf)
  - Official wording: "401 No business licence 100 75 150" … "403 Failure to post licence 50 40 75" … "409A(2) 300 225 450"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 4567, s. 523D Ticketing](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Pursuant to Sections 264(1)(c) and 265(1)(a) of the Community Charter, the table below sets out"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw 4567, 1974 (consolidation includes Bylaw 8788, July 6, 2026)
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 4567, cover](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW" … "Bylaw 8788 July 6, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

Fees 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.

## Steps

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Renew each year. Licences expire December 31, and renewal notices are emailed in December.

## Good to know

- A new business starting after July 31 pays half the fee.
- 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.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf)
- [General business licence application (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-app-general.pdf)
- [Business licence information guide, 2010 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-information-guide.pdf)

## Related questions

- [District of North Vancouver home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/home-based-business.md)
- [District of North Vancouver short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/short-term-rental.md)
- [District of North Vancouver building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/building-permit.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/business-licence.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/business-licence.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/business-licence.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/business-licence.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/business-licence.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licence Bylaw 4567 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%204567.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 6481 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%206481.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [General business licence application (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-app-general.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business licence information guide, 2010 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/business-licence-information-guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building permit guide (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/building-permit-guide.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 7458 (PDF)](https://docs.dnv.org/documents/Bylaw%207458.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 District of North Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/business-licence/_