{"title":"Parksville business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Parksville, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/parksville","name":"Parksville","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 Parksville","url":"https://www.parksville.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. The City of Parksville requires a business licence for every person carrying on or owning a business in the city, including home-based and non-resident businesses. Registered non-profit societies are exempt. Apply to the City and do not operate until approved; approval is generally three to five business days.","aliases":["business license parksville","start a business in parksville","new business licence","change of business address or owner"],"cost":"Annual fee by business type (Schedule A): $150 for a general business, retail under 1,000 m², restaurant, professional, contractor, service provision or day care; $75 for a home based business; $50 for a bed and breakfast or secondary suite. Reduced if you start late in the year.","how_long":"Generally three to five business days (City brochure).","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Business licences","value":"biz@parksville.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business licences","value":"250 954-4650"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"100 Jensen Avenue East, Parksville, BC"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licence Application (PDF)","url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID477atID11058.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licences, City of Parksville","url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=48"},{"title":"Business Licences brochure (PDF)","url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID48atID12295.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw 1550 (consolidated, PDF)","url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Parksville home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/home-based-business/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lantzville","name":"Lantzville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nanaimo","name":"Nanaimo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sechelt","name":"Sechelt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/ladysmith","name":"Ladysmith","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ladysmith/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":"Every person carrying on or owning any business in the City, including home-based businesses and non-resident businesses working in Parksville. Registered societies operating solely for non-profit purposes do not need one.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated to 1550.3, PDF)","section":"s. 3(1), s. 3(13)","quotes":["Every person following, practicing, carrying on, maintaining, or owning within the City, any business, shall take out and maintain a licence","a registered society or organization which in the opinion of the Licence Inspector is operating solely for non-profit purposes does not require a business licence to operate"]},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=48","title":"Business Licences, City of Parksville","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["Should a business which is not located in Parksville wish to do business in Parksville, the business must obtain a City of Parksville business licence"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Annual fee by type of business in Schedule A: $150 for general business, retail under 1,000 m², restaurant, professional, contractor, service provision or day care; $75 for home based business; $50 for bed and breakfast or secondary suite. Fee is reduced if you start late in the year.","short":"$150 a year (general business)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated to 1550.3, PDF)","section":"Schedule A, s. 3(9)","quotes":["Professional Occupations $150","General Business not otherwise listed $150","Home Based Business $75","Bed & Breakfast $50","For any person who becomes liable to be licensed after the 1st day of April in any year"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Submit the City's business licence application (online forms or at City Hall, 100 Jensen Avenue East) with the business details; do not operate until approved. It is sent for zoning, building inspection and fire approvals, and licences are generally approved in three to five business days. Pay by credit card, mail, dropbox or in person.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID48atID12295.pdf","title":"Business Licences brochure (PDF), City of Parksville","section":"Business Licences brochure","quotes":["until your application is approved","Licences are generally approved within three to five business days","Once your application is submitted, it is forwarded for approvals, which may include; zoning, building inspection, and fire department"]},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=48","title":"Business Licences, City of Parksville","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["Credit card (Visa or Mastercard) payments from the City","In-person at City Hall (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences are for the calendar year and expire December 31. Renewal fees are due by January 31; $50 a month late fee from February 1; licences not renewed by May 1 are suspended; fees not paid in full by June 1 mean cancellation.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated to 1550.3, PDF)","section":"s. 3(6), 3(8), 15(1)","quotes":["all licence renewal fees are due and payable by no later than January 31st in any year","shall expire on the 31st day of December next succeeding the date of issue of same","Any business that fails to obtain a renewal of a licence by February 1 each year shall pay an additional fee of fifty dollars ($50) per month","Any licences not renewed by May 1 each year will be suspended","Failure to remit all business licence fees in full by June 1 will result in immediate cancellation of the business licence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. The inter-community business licence costs $170 a year and lets a mobile business (trades, cleaners, landscapers and similar) work in the other participating municipalities, including Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach, Duncan, Victoria and Campbell River, without separate licences. You must first hold a municipal business licence.","short":"Yes, $170 a year (mobile businesses)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/8856","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, 2025, No. 1600 (PDF)","section":"s. 4(a), s. 3(a)","quotes":["The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $170 and will be retained by the Participating Jurisdiction that issues the licence","may carry on Business within any Participating Jurisdiction"]},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=477","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence, City of Parksville","section":"Inter-Community page","quotes":["City of Nanaimo","Town of Qualicum Beach","City of Campbell River"]},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID477atID11058.pdf","title":"Business Licence Application, City of Parksville","section":"Application form","quotes":["You must obtain a municipal business licence before applying for an Inter-Community Business Licence"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: $150 ($112.50 if paid within 14 days, $187.50 late). Municipal ticket: $150 (listed under the former Business Licence Bylaw 1483, replaced by 1550).","short":"Notice $150 ($112.50 if paid in 14 days); ticket $150","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2814","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw 3(1); s. 5.1.2","quotes":["No Business Licence $150.00 $112.50 $187.50","If received by the Registry within 14 days of the person receiving or being presumed to have received the notice"]},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1121","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1478 (PDF)","section":"Appendix 2; s. 1","quotes":["No Business Licence 3(1) $150.00","The bylaws, as amended or replaced from time to time, listed in Column 1 of Schedule A"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated to include 1550.1, 1550.2 and 1550.3)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated to 1550.3, PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550","Consolidated to include Bylaw No. 1550.1, 1550.2 and 1550.3"]}],"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 City of Parksville's [Business Licence Bylaw 1550](https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815), every person carrying on or owning any business in the city needs a licence. That includes home-based businesses and non-resident businesses working in Parksville. Registered societies operating solely for non-profit purposes do not need one. You need a separate licence for each premises.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Complete the City's Business Licence Application (online forms or at City Hall, 100 Jensen Avenue East) with your business details. Do not operate until approved.\n2. The application is sent for zoning, building inspection and fire approvals. The Licence Inspector grants the licence once building, zoning, health and other requirements are met.\n3. Pay by credit card, mail, dropbox or in person.\n4. Renew each year. Licences are for the calendar year and expire December 31. Renewal fees are due by January 31.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Late renewal: $50 a month late fee from February 1; a licence not renewed by May 1 is suspended; if fees are not paid in full by June 1, the licence is cancelled.\n- Fee reductions apply if you start late in the year. There are no refunds. Larger or special businesses cost more (for example retail over 1,000 m² is $300, a bank $500, cannabis retail $1,000).\n- Mobile businesses (trades, cleaners, landscapers and similar) can buy an inter-community business licence for $170 a year. It lets you work in other participating municipalities, including Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach, Duncan, Victoria and Campbell River, without separate licences. You must first hold a municipal business licence, and still need a separate licence for each premises.\n- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $150 ($112.50 if paid within 14 days, $187.50 late); a municipal ticket is $150. A court fine can be up to $10,000.\n- Contact: biz@parksville.ca, 250 954-4650.","sources":[{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2815","title":"Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 1550 (consolidated to 1550.3, PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=48","title":"Business Licences, City of Parksville","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID48atID12295.pdf","title":"Business Licences brochure (PDF), City of Parksville","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/8856","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, 2025, No. 1600 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=477","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence, City of Parksville","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/2814","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw, Schedule A (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://parksville.civicweb.net/document/1121","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1478 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.parksville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID477atID11058.pdf","title":"Business Licence Application, City of Parksville","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/parksville/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/business-licence.json"}}