{"title":"North Vancouver business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in North Vancouver, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/north-vancouver","name":"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":"City of North Vancouver","url":"https://www.cnv.org"},"short_answer":"Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of North Vancouver needs a City business licence, including home-based, temporary, non-profit and out-of-city businesses. Email the Business Licence Application to gateway@cnv.org or use a City Hall drop box; new accounts pay a $52.07 application fee.","aliases":["business license north vancouver","cnv business licence","apply for business licence city of north vancouver","cityserve business licence"],"cost":"$52.07 non-refundable application fee for new accounts, plus an annual fee set by business type, for example home-based $127.02, restaurant $199.94, non-resident $266.56, all other businesses not specified $133.33.","how_long":"The City does not state a processing time. The licence is issued after review and any required inspections, once the invoice is paid.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Submit your application","value":"gateway@cnv.org"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall drop box","value":"141 West 14th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1H9"},{"type":"online","label":"CityServe (pay, renew)","value":"https://cityserve.cnv.org/"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licences","value":"604-983-7356"},{"type":"email","label":"Business Licences","value":"licence@cnv.org"},{"type":"email","label":"Licence inspections","value":"licenceinspections@cnv.org"}],"documents":["Business Licence Application","Accessory Home Office Use Confirmation of Compliance form (home office only)","Authorization Letter for Representative (if the applicant is not the owner)"],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licence Application (fillable PDF)","url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Business-Licences/Business-Licence-Application-Form-Fillable.pdf"},{"title":"Accessory Home Office Use Confirmation of Compliance form","url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Business-Licences/Business-Licence-Application-Form-Home-Office-fillable.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licence Authorization Letter for Representative","url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Business-Licences/Business-Licence-Authorization-Letter-for-Representative.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF)","url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"North Vancouver home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/home-based-business/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/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 a business in the City, including new or temporary, commercial or industrial, home-based, non-profit and out-of-city businesses; a separate licence is needed for each location.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences","title":"Business Licences, City of North Vancouver","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["You need a business licence to conduct business within the City.","located outside of the City","in multiple locations (i.e. a licence for each location is required)"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)","section":"s. 407","quotes":["No Person shall carry on, within the Municipality, any Business unless they are the holder of a valid and subsisting Licence"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Varies by business type and size; set in the Fees and Charges Bylaw, Schedule F. Examples: home-based $127.02; non-resident business $266.56; all other businesses not specified $133.33; restaurant $199.94. New accounts also pay a $52.07 application fee.","short":"$133.33 (business not specified); home-based $127.02","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/9000-C.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF, consolidated December 8, 2025), Schedule F","section":"Schedule F, Table IX and Table X","quotes":["Home based businesses $ 127.02","Non-resident business $ 266.56","All other businesses not specified $ 133.33","Restaurant Unlisenced $ 199.94","Non-refundable application fee (for new licences for"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences","title":"Business Licences, City of North Vancouver","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["Fees for business licences vary by the type of business."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Complete the Business Licence Application and email it to gateway@cnv.org or leave it in a City Hall drop box. Planning may check the use is permitted at the address, and inspections (building, electrical, plumbing/gas, fire, health authority) may be required. After they pass you receive an invoice; pay on CityServe to get the licence.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences","title":"Business Licences, City of North Vancouver","section":"Apply & Submit; Approval Process","quotes":["By email: gateway@cnv.org","the file may be reviewed by the Planning Department to determine if the proposed business use is permitted at the address.","Building, Electrical, Plumbing/Gas, and Fire Inspection","If all inspections pass, you'll be sent a Business Licence invoice for payment."]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences/Applying-for-a-Business-Licence","title":"Apply, Renew & Pay Business Licence, City of North Vancouver","section":"Application process","quotes":["Complete a Business Licence Application and either email to gateway@cnv.org or stop by City Hall"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"A licence is valid for one year and expires on its anniversary date. Renew on or before the day before the anniversary date; renewal notices are sent and renewals can be paid online on CityServe.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)","section":"ss. 415, 416","quotes":["On or before the day before the Anniversary Date of a Business Licence, the Licence","A Licence issued under this Bylaw shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences","title":"Business Licences, City of North Vancouver","section":"Renew a Business Licence","quotes":["Business licences expire one year from the date the licence is issued. Automatic renewal notices are sent to each business owner."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City's Business Licence Bylaws page says a licence is valid for one calendar year with renewal notices sent every December; the bylaw (s. 416) and the main Business Licences page say one year from issue. The bylaw is followed here."},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes: an Inter-Municipal Business Licence for eligible contractors (classes listed in Schedule D of the bylaw) with a business on the North Shore. It lets the holder work in the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and District of West Vancouver for an additional $60 fee.","short":"Yes, additional $60 (listed contractors)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences/Inter-Municipal-Business-Licence","title":"Inter-Municipal Business Licence, City of North Vancouver","section":"Inter-Municipal Business Licence page","quotes":["If you're a contractor with a business located on the North Shore, you may qualify for an","An inter-municipal business licence allows you to work in the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and the District of West Vancouver using the same licence for an additional $60 fee"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/9000-C.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF, consolidated December 8, 2025), Schedule F","section":"Schedule F","quotes":["7229 Limited Service Restaurant Unlicensed $ 199.94 9115 Inter-Municipal $ 60.00 Residential Rental - Long Term"]},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)","section":"s. 521(2)","quotes":["The classes of businesses set out in Schedule “D” are the only classes of"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"$400 for carrying on business without a licence; $350 if paid early, $500 if paid late. Not posting the licence is $100.","short":"$400 ($350 if paid early)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8675-C.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 8675 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)","section":"Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640","quotes":["No Business Licence 407 Yes $400 $350 $500 $100","Licence Not Posted 408 No $100 $80 $120"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (consolidated June 15, 2026)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)","section":"title page","quotes":["Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640","CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE – JUNE 15, 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](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf), nobody may carry on business in the City of North Vancouver without a valid licence. You need a separate licence for each location. Contractors based in another municipality need one too. Some uses are exempt, such as long-term residential rental limited to one dwelling unit. Planning may check the use is permitted at the address.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Complete the Business Licence Application. Add the home office form if you qualify, and the authorization letter if someone applies for you.\n2. Email it to gateway@cnv.org or leave it in a City Hall drop box.\n3. You may need building, electrical, plumbing/gas, fire or health authority inspections. Questions: licenceinspections@cnv.org.\n4. After inspections pass, you receive an invoice. Pay it on CityServe to get your licence.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Fees vary by business type and size and are in Schedule F of the Fees and Charges Bylaw. Many types are priced by floor area, storage area or units.\n- A licence is valid for one year and expires on its anniversary date. Renew on or before the day before that date; renewal notices are sent and you can pay on CityServe. The City's Business Licence Bylaws page says a calendar year instead, so confirm your date.\n- Eligible contractors with a North Shore business can get an Inter-Municipal Business Licence for an additional $60, covering the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and District of West Vancouver.\n- Carrying on business without a licence is a $400 ticket ($350 if paid early, $500 if paid late). Not posting the licence is $100.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences","title":"Business Licences, City of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences/Applying-for-a-Business-Licence","title":"Apply, Renew & Pay Business Licence, City of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences/Inter-Municipal-Business-Licence","title":"Inter-Municipal Business Licence, City of North Vancouver","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/9000-C.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF, consolidated December 8, 2025), Schedule F","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8675-C.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 8675 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/business-licence.json"}}