---
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?"
place: North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/north-vancouver
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of North Vancouver
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/business-licence.json"
---

# 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?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of North Vancouver, https://www.cnv.org)  
**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:**
- Email: Submit your application, gateway@cnv.org
- In person: City Hall drop box, 141 West 14th Street, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1H9
- Online: CityServe (pay, renew), https://cityserve.cnv.org/
- Phone: Business Licences, 604-983-7356
- Email: Business Licences, licence@cnv.org
- Email: Licence inspections, licenceinspections@cnv.org

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences)
  - Official wording: "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)"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), s. 407](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Person shall carry on, within the Municipality, any Business unless they are the holder of a valid and subsisting Licence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** 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.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF, consolidated December 8, 2025), Schedule F, Schedule F, Table IX and Table X](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/9000-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Fees for business licences vary by the type of business."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** 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.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Apply & Submit; Approval Process](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Apply, Renew & Pay Business Licence, Application process](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences/Applying-for-a-Business-Licence)
  - Official wording: "Complete a Business Licence Application and either email to gateway@cnv.org or stop by City Hall"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** 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. (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.)
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), ss. 415, 416](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Renew a Business Licence](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences)
  - Official wording: "Business licences expire one year from the date the licence is issued. Automatic renewal notices are sent to each business owner."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** 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.
  - Source: [Inter-Municipal Business Licence, Inter-Municipal Business Licence page](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences/Inter-Municipal-Business-Licence)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF, consolidated December 8, 2025), Schedule F](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/9000-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "7229 Limited Service Restaurant Unlicensed $ 199.94 9115 Inter-Municipal $ 60.00 Residential Rental - Long Term"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), s. 521(2)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The classes of businesses set out in Schedule “D” are the only classes of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** $400 for carrying on business without a licence; $350 if paid early, $500 if paid late. Not posting the licence is $100.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 8675 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8675-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence 407 Yes $400 $350 $500 $100" … "Licence Not Posted 408 No $100 $80 $120"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (consolidated June 15, 2026)
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026), title page](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640" … "CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE – JUNE 15, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

## Steps

1. Complete the Business Licence Application. Add the home office form if you qualify, and the authorization letter if someone applies for you.
2. Email it to gateway@cnv.org or leave it in a City Hall drop box.
3. You may need building, electrical, plumbing/gas, fire or health authority inspections. Questions: licenceinspections@cnv.org.
4. After inspections pass, you receive an invoice. Pay it on CityServe to get your licence.

## Good to know

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Carrying on business without a licence is a $400 ticket ($350 if paid early, $500 if paid late). Not posting the licence is $100.

## What you'll need

- 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)

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licence Application (fillable PDF)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Business-Licences/Business-Licence-Application-Form-Fillable.pdf)
- [Accessory Home Office Use Confirmation of Compliance form](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Business-Licences/Business-Licence-Application-Form-Home-Office-fillable.pdf)
- [Business Licence Authorization Letter for Representative](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Business-Licences/Business-Licence-Authorization-Letter-for-Representative.pdf)
- [Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf)

## Related questions

- [North Vancouver home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/home-based-business.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/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 Licences, City of North Vancouver](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Apply, Renew & Pay Business Licence, City of North Vancouver](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences/Applying-for-a-Business-Licence) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inter-Municipal Business Licence, City of North Vancouver](https://www.cnv.org/Business-Development/Business-Licences/Inter-Municipal-Business-Licence) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8640-C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF, consolidated December 8, 2025), Schedule F](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/9000-C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 8675 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026)](https://www.cnv.org/-/media/City-of-North-Vancouver/Documents/Bylaws/Consolidated/8675-C.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of North Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/business-licence/_