---
title: "Port McNeill business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Port McNeill, and how do I get one?"
place: Port McNeill, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/port-mcneill
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Port McNeill
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-mcneill/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-mcneill/business-licence.json"
---

# Port McNeill business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply

**Question:** Do I need a business licence in Port McNeill, and how do I get one?

**Short answer:** Yes. All businesses operating within the Town of Port McNeill must hold a valid business licence. The annual fee depends on employees, from $80 for 0 to 3 up to $400 for 50 or more. Return the application form to the Town office at 1775 Furney Place.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Port McNeill, https://portmcneill.ca)  
**Cost:** Annual fee by employees: $80 (0 to 3), $120 (4 to 10), $180 (11 to 25), $270 (26 to 49), $400 (50 or more). Special events $300; non-resident business $80; transfer $25. Half the fee if started after July 31.  
**How long:** The Town says timing depends on the complexity of your application. Licences run January 1 to December 31.  
**Where:**
- In person: Town Hall, 1775 Furney Place, Port McNeill, BC (mail: Box 728, Port McNeill, BC V0N 2R0) (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed statutory holidays))
- Phone: Town Office, 250-956-3111
- Email: Town Office reception, reception@portmcneill.ca

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** All businesses operating within the Town must hold a valid business licence. Exempt: non-resident commercial travellers and wholesalers selling to merchants for resale, and charity-only performances or events.
  - Source: [Business Licenses](https://portmcneill.ca/business/business-licenses/)
  - Official wording: "requires that all businesses operating within the Town hold a valid Business Licence"
  - Source: [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020, Part 4 Exemptions](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/No.6992020BusinessLicenceBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The following non-resident businesses are not required to hold a licence under" … "donated to any charitable purpose."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** Annual fee by number of employees: $80 (0 to 3, including home-based), $120 (4 to 10), $180 (11 to 25), $270 (26 to 49), $400 (50 or more). Special events $300; non-resident business $80; licence transfer $25. Half the fee if started after July 31.
  - Source: [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020, Schedule A](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/No.6992020BusinessLicenceBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Employing from 0-3 persons (Including Home-Based) $80" … "Employing 4-10 persons $120" … "Employing 50 or more persons $400" … "Special Events (including Farmers’ Markets) $300" … "Transfer of Licence $25"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Complete the Business Licence application form and return it to the Town Office at 1775 Furney Place or mail to Box 728. The Licence Inspector reviews it for conformity with building, zoning, health and sanitation bylaws, and may ask for insurance or other proof. Fees are paid before the licence is valid.
  - Source: [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020, Part 5; application form](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/No.6992020BusinessLicenceBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The application will be reviewed by the Licence Inspector for completeness and conformity with all Town bylaws that regulate building, zoning, health, sanitation" … "Licence fees must be paid before a licence shall be valid and issued." … "Please return completed form to:"
  - Source: [Business Licence Form, Business Licence Requirements check list](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Business-License-Form.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The following requirements must be met before a business licence can be issued to a commercial venture"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** Licences run for one calendar year, January 1 to December 31. The Town mails a renewal notice each year to the address on the licence.
  - Source: [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020, Parts 7 and 14](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/No.6992020BusinessLicenceBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Licences required by this bylaw are issued annually for one calendar year" … "The Town will forward a Business Licence Renewal Notice to every licensee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Inter-community licence:** Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
- **Fine:** A ticketed fine of not less than $100 and up to the maximum under the Offence Act. The Municipal Ticket Information schedule sets no amount for business licence offences.
  - Source: [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020, Part 16 Penalty](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/No.6992020BusinessLicenceBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "liable to be ticketed by the Bylaw Enforcement Officer to a fine not less than one hundred ($100.00) dollars"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Town of Port McNeill Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020 (the Town's page calls it Business Licence Bylaw No. 699, 2020); repeals Bylaw No. 491, 1997.
  - Source: [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020, Title; Part 18](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/No.6992020BusinessLicenceBylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENSING BYLAW NO. 699, 2020" … "Bylaw No.491, 1997, Business Licence Bylaw is hereby repealed."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The Town of Port McNeill's [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/No.6992020BusinessLicenceBylaw.pdf) requires every business operating in the Town to hold a valid licence. Exempt are non-resident commercial travellers and wholesalers selling to merchants for resale, and charity-only performances or events. Each location needs its own licence. Licences are personal and not transferable; a change of location needs a transfer ($25).

Rental units and mall or hotel spaces pay the number of ownership-company employees or $5 per rental space (3 or more spaces), whichever is greater.

## Steps

1. Complete the [Business Licence Form](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Business-License-Form.pdf) and return it to the Town office at 1775 Furney Place, or mail it to Box 728. No online application is mentioned.
2. The Licence Inspector reviews it for conformity with building, zoning, health and sanitation bylaws, and may ask for insurance or other proof. Commercial premises must meet the form's checklist (civic address displayed, working fire extinguisher, emergency lighting and others).
3. Pay the fee; the licence is valid once fees are paid. Fees are due within 30 days of invoice.

## Good to know

- The Town mails a renewal notice each year to the address on the licence.
- Operating without a licence: a ticketed fine of not less than $100, up to the Offence Act maximum.
- Contractors and home-based businesses: see the home-based-business answer for the addendum.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licence Form (PDF)](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Business-License-Form.pdf)
- [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020 (PDF)](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/No.6992020BusinessLicenceBylaw.pdf)
- [Business Licenses, Town of Port McNeill](https://portmcneill.ca/business/business-licenses/)

## Related questions

- [Port McNeill home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-mcneill/home-based-business.md)
- [Port McNeill short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-mcneill/short-term-rental.md)
- [Port McNeill building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-mcneill/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Port McNeill zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-mcneill/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Alert Bay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/alert-bay/business-licence.md)
- [Port Hardy](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-hardy/business-licence.md)
- [Port Alice](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alice/business-licence.md)
- [Sayward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/business-licence.md)
- [Gold River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/business-licence.md)
- [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licenses, Town of Port McNeill](https://portmcneill.ca/business/business-licenses/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licensing Bylaw No. 699, 2020 (PDF), Town of Port McNeill](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/No.6992020BusinessLicenceBylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licence Form (PDF), Town of Port McNeill](https://portmcneill.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Business-License-Form.pdf) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Town of Port McNeill. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-mcneill/business-licence/_