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

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

North Vancouver, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

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

How it works

Under the Business Licence Bylaw, 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

The same question in other places

District of North Vancouver · Belcarra · Port Moody · Vancouver · Burnaby · Richmond

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Business Licences, City of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Apply, Renew & Pay Business Licence, City of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Inter-Municipal Business Licence, City of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF, consolidated December 8, 2025), Schedule F (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, 2018, No. 8675 (PDF, consolidated June 15, 2026) (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. How answers are checked.