Port Hardy business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Port Hardy, and how do I get one?
Short answer
Yes. Anyone carrying on a business, trade or profession in Port Hardy needs a District business licence for each location. Complete the application and take it, with the fee, to the Municipal Hall. 2026 annual fees start at $90 for a small commercial business.
Key facts
| Who needs one | Everyone doing business in Port Hardy: any person carrying on a profession, business, trade, occupation or undertaking in the District, with a separate licence for each location. Some non-resident businesses are exempt, such as commercial travellers selling to merchants and charity-only performances; non-profits may ask for the fee to be waived.Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006, ss. 4 and 6(a); How to Join, How to Join page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingshall hold a subsisting licence therefor from the District A separate licence is required for each location where a business operates commercial travellers offering for sale or selling merchandise to merchants for may waive the licence fee payable. Every one doing business in Port Hardy must have a valid business license |
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| Fee | 2026 annual fees (Schedule F): small commercial (1 to 8 employees) $90; large commercial (9 or more) $200; home business $120; mobile vending $162; marine $120; seasonal home base (4 months or less) $32; monthly temporary $21; transfer $26.User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026, Schedule F, Business Licence Rates 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSmall Commercial (1-8 Employees) $90.00 Large Commercial (9 employees and over) $200.00 Home Business $120.00 Mobile Vending $162.00 Seasonal Home Base 4 months or less $32.00 Monthly temporary licence $21.00 |
| How to apply | Complete the District's Application for Business Licence and deliver it to the Inspector at the Municipal Hall with the fee. The Inspector may require approval of the premises by the Building Inspector, Fire Chief or health officer, and food service operators need Health Inspector approval first.Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006, ss. 5(b), 7(b); How to Join, How to Join page; Application for Business Licence, February 2026, Application form · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe application form shall be delivered to the Inspector and shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in the current District of Port Hardy Rates Bylaw. the Inspector shall require all food service operators to provide evidence of approval from the Health Inspector before the Building Inspector, the Fire Chief, the Chief Constable Are you thinking of opening a Bed and Breakfast or a Short-Term Vacation Rental in Port Hardy? Review the guidelines prior to submitting a business license application and operating. Have questions? Contact us! Phone: 250-949-6665 Email: general@porthardy.ca **Every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate. If you see something amiss, don't hesitate to let us know by either clicking the question mark and sending us a message or give us at call at 250-949-6665. APPLICATION FOR BUSINESS LICENCE Zoning: Number of Employees: |
| Renewal | Licences are annual, for each calendar year, with the fee paid in advance. A business that becomes liable after 30 June pays half the year's fee. No reduction if a business stops trading.Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006, s. 6(a)(v) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAll business licences issued under this bylaw shall be granted as annual licences for each calendar year. shall be one-half the year's fee for a person who becomes liable to be licensed after the 30th of June in |
| Inter-community licence | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Fine | Municipal ticket $100 for failing to obtain a business licence. The bylaw sets a minimum fine of $100 plus costs on summary conviction.Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014, Schedule F, s. 6(a)(i); Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006, s. 12(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFailure to obtain business licence $ 100.00 conviction to a minimum fine or penalty of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006 (adopted 24 October 2006); fees are in User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026, Schedule F.Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006, s. 1 and adoption; User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026, Schedule F · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBusiness Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006. ADOPTED ON THE 24th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2006 Schedule F Business License Fees |
How it works
Under the Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006, anyone carrying on a profession, business, trade, occupation or undertaking in the District of Port Hardy needs a business licence, with a separate licence for each location. Some non-resident businesses are exempt, such as commercial travellers selling to merchants and charity-only performances, and non-profits may ask for the fee to be waived. Food service needs Health Inspector approval, and marine businesses need $2,000,000 liability insurance. A temporary licence of up to one year may be granted for a business that does not conform to zoning or other bylaws.
Annual fees for 2026 (Schedule F of the User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026):
- Small commercial (1 to 8 employees): $90. Large commercial (9 or more): $200.
- Home business: $120. Marine: $120. Mobile vending: $162.
- Seasonal home base (4 months or less): $32. Monthly temporary: $21. Transfer: $26.
- Apartment rental units: $90 (1 to 50 units), $200 (51 or more). Short-term vacation rentals: $120 (living on site) or $325.
Steps
- Complete the Application for Business Licence. It asks for the zoning and number of employees, and extra details for short-term rentals and home occupations.
- Deliver it with the fee to the Inspector at the Municipal Hall, 7360 Columbia Street. The Inspector may require approval of the premises by the Building Inspector, Fire Chief or health officer. Fees are paid in advance.
- Renew each calendar year. See the How to Join page for the District's business licence listing.
Good to know
- A business that becomes liable after June 30 pays half the year's fee. There is no reduction if a business stops trading.
- The pages read do not describe online submission or how renewal notices are sent. Ask the District office.
- A municipal ticket is $100 for operating without a licence; on conviction the bylaw sets a minimum fine of $100 plus costs.
- No inter-community business licence was found in the District's pages or bylaws.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Port McNeill · Port Alice · Alert Bay · Sayward · Gold River · Campbell River
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 16-2006 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
- User Rates and Fees Bylaw No. 1187-2026 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
- Application for Business Licence, February 2026 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
- How to Join, District of Port Hardy business licence listing (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 01-2010, consolidated August 2014 (PDF), District of Port Hardy (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.