---
title: "Qualicum Beach business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Qualicum Beach, and how do I get one?"
place: Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/qualicum-beach
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Qualicum Beach
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/business-licence.json"
---

# Qualicum Beach business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Anyone doing business in Qualicum Beach needs a Town business licence, including home-based businesses, contractors from outside the Town, bed and breakfasts and daycares. Most categories cost $110 a year. Apply with payment at Town Hall or by mail.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Qualicum Beach, https://www.qualicumbeach.com)  
**Cost:** Per calendar year, most categories $110 (see the list below); inter-community licence an extra $150.  
**How long:** Not stated. Licences run for the calendar year ending December 31.  
**Where:**
- In person: Town Hall, #201-660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- By mail: Town of Qualicum Beach, PO Box 130, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7
- Phone: Town Hall, 250-752-6921

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone doing business in Qualicum Beach, including contractors and other mobile businesses based outside the Town. Home-based businesses, bed and breakfasts, daycares and mobile food vendors also need one (daycares need provincial licensing as well).
  - Source: [Business Licences](https://qualicumbeach.com/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "To conduct business in the Town of Qualicum Beach, you require a business licence" … "This includes contractors and other mobile businesses that may have a primary location outside of Qualicum Beach." … "A business licence from the Town is also required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Per calendar year: hotel/motel $110; banks and credit unions $270; real estate $110 per agent (max $300); door-to-door or phone soliciting $245 per person; retail up to 2,000 sq. ft. $110, over $220; professional $110 per person; insurance agency or adjuster $220; restaurants, cafes, delis $110; contractors $110; businesses not described $110 per classification; special event $55; transfer $25.
  - Source: [General Business Licence Application, Schedule A, Business Licence Fee Structure](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Business%20Licence%20Applications/General%20Business%20Licence%20%28commercial%2C%20industrial%2C%20home%20based%2C%20B%26B%2C%20daycare%29/Business%20License%20Application%20%28General%29%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENCE FEE STRUCTURE" … "HOTEL, MOTEL (Room rentals) $110.00" … "BANKS, CREDIT UNIONS, TRUST COMPANIES $270.00" … "DOOR TO DOOR OR TELEPHONE SOLICITING (per person) $245.00" … "PROFESSIONAL (per person) $110.00" … "INSURANCE AGENCY/ADJUSTER $220.00" … "CONTRACTORS/SUBCONTRACTORS $110.00" … "SPECIAL EVENT LICENCE $55.00" … "TRANSFER FEE $25.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Submit the Business Licence Application with payment, in person at Town Hall (#201-660 Primrose Street, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or by mail (PO Box 130). Include a floor plan with all measurements, and a site and parking plan; business location, contact information and premises details (parking, floor area, employees) are asked. Town staff check zoning, parking, and building, sign, health and fire needs.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licence Application](https://qualicumbeach.com/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "Applications and payment must be submitted together, by one of the following methods:" … "Each application must be submitted with a floor plan showing all measurements of spaces, windows, doors, and washrooms, along with a site and parking plan." … "Business premises details (parking, floor area, employees etc.)"
  - Source: [General Business Licence Application, Department use only](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Business%20Licence%20Applications/General%20Business%20Licence%20%28commercial%2C%20industrial%2C%20home%20based%2C%20B%26B%2C%20daycare%29/Business%20License%20Application%20%28General%29%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: " Yes  No ICBL  N/A Zoning Compliant Category Code  Yes  No Fee Code  N/A" … "Zoning Business License # Permitted Use Roll # Parking Compliant Annual Fee  Yes  No" … "• requires the B&B declaration • requires a Fire Department inspection application & fee (inspection appointment coordinated by Town staff) • guest rooms must be contained in the dwelling unit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences are renewed each year in December and run for the calendar year ending December 31. Bylaw 506 (an older consolidation) halves the fee for a business that starts after July 31, except special event licences and transfer fees; the Town's page and form do not mention this.
  - Source: [Business Licences](https://qualicumbeach.com/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "which is renewed each year in December"
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506, s. 3.6](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Business%20Licensing%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E07%20%28Consolidated%20to%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E09%2C%202003%29%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "31st." … "of December" … "excluding special event licences"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. A business located in Qualicum Beach that serves other Vancouver Island communities can add an inter-community business licence for $150 a year; it is in addition to the Qualicum Beach licence. The form says it covers 12 other participating municipalities.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Inter-Community Business Licence](https://qualicumbeach.com/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "The inter-community licence is required in addition to a business licence for Qualicum Beach. The annual fee is $150 for all participating municipalities."
  - Source: [General Business Licence Application, page 1](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Business%20Licence%20Applications/General%20Business%20Licence%20%28commercial%2C%20industrial%2C%20home%20based%2C%20B%26B%2C%20daycare%29/Business%20License%20Application%20%28General%29%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "This license allows you to operate in 12 other participating municipalities on Vancouver Island without requiring individual business licenses."
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 688, s. 1](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw%20No%20688%2C%20201%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 688,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: $200 for having no business licence; $150 for failing to get a licence for more than one premises or to transfer a licence. Each day can be ticketed.
  - Source: [Qualicum Beach, What are the Fines for Non-Compliance?](https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/provincial-housing-changes/short-term-rental-accommodations/)
  - Official wording: "The fine for failure to obtain a valid Business License in the Town of Qualicum Beach is $200.00 as per the Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, 2008." … "Tickets can be issued daily for each offense."
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506, s. 5.1](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Business%20Licensing%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E07%20%28Consolidated%20to%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E09%2C%202003%29%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "conviction to to a fine fine not not exceeding exceeding Two Two Thousand Dollars ($2000.00). ($2000.00)."
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626, Schedule 4 of Bylaw 626 (Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506.07)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20Utilization%20Bylaw%20No.%20626%20(Consolidated%20up%20to%20Bylaw%20No.%20626.07%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Business Licence 2 $200.00" … "Fail to Obtain Licence for More Than One 3.9 $150.00" … "may be imposed for each day that the offence continues."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Town of Qualicum Beach Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506 (consolidated, to Amendment Bylaw No. 506.09)
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506, title and consolidation](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Business%20Licensing%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E07%20%28Consolidated%20to%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E09%2C%202003%29%2Epdf)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw Bylaw No. 506.07- No. 506.07 - Business Licencing Licencing and and Regulation Regulation Bylaw Bylaw" … "January 2007) 2007) to Amendment Amendment Bylaw Bylaw No. 506.09 No. 506.09 of 8 Page 7 of"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Anyone doing business in Qualicum Beach needs a Town business licence, including contractors and other mobile businesses based outside the Town. Home-based businesses, bed and breakfasts, daycares and mobile food vendors also need one (daycares need provincial licensing as well). Rules are in the [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Business%20Licensing%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E07%20%28Consolidated%20to%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E09%2C%202003%29%2Epdf).

**Fees, per calendar year:** hotel/motel $110; banks and credit unions $270; real estate $110 per agent (maximum $300); door-to-door or phone soliciting $245 per person; retail up to 2,000 sq. ft. $110, over that $220; professional $110 per person; insurance agency or adjuster $220; restaurants, cafes, delis $110; contractors $110; businesses not described $110 per classification; special event $55; transfer $25. A business with more than one classification pays a separate fee for each.

**Inter-community licence:** a Qualicum Beach business that serves other Vancouver Island communities can add one for $150 a year, on top of the Town licence. The form says it covers 12 other participating municipalities.

**Renewal:** licences are renewed each year in December and run for the calendar year ending December 31. The older consolidated Bylaw 506 halves the fee for a business that starts after July 31 (not special event or transfer fees); the Town's page and form do not mention this, so ask.

## Steps

1. Complete the Business Licence Application, with a floor plan showing all measurements and a site and parking plan.
2. Submit it with payment at Town Hall or by mail.
3. Town staff check zoning, parking, and building, sign, health and fire needs.

## Good to know

- Fines: a municipal ticket is $200 for having no business licence, and $150 for failing to get a licence for more than one premises or to transfer a licence. Each day can be ticketed.
- The posted Bylaw 506 is an older consolidation; the Town's page and application form give the current fees.

## Official forms and pages

- [General Business Licence Application (PDF)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Business%20Licence%20Applications/General%20Business%20Licence%20%28commercial%2C%20industrial%2C%20home%20based%2C%20B%26B%2C%20daycare%29/Business%20License%20Application%20%28General%29%2Epdf)
- [Business Licences, Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/business-licences)
- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506 (PDF)](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Business%20Licensing%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E07%20%28Consolidated%20to%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E09%2C%202003%29%2Epdf)

## Related questions

- [Qualicum Beach home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/home-based-business.md)
- [Qualicum Beach short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/short-term-rental.md)
- [Qualicum Beach zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Qualicum Beach bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Parksville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/business-licence.md)
- [Lantzville](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lantzville/business-licence.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/business-licence.md)
- [Nanaimo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nanaimo/business-licence.md)
- [Sechelt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/business-licence.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences, Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/business-licences) (read 2026-11-06)
- [General Business Licence Application (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Application%20Forms/Business%20Licence%20Applications/General%20Business%20Licence%20%28commercial%2C%20industrial%2C%20home%20based%2C%20B%26B%2C%20daycare%29/Business%20License%20Application%20%28General%29%2Epdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 506 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Business%20Licensing%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E07%20%28Consolidated%20to%20Bylaw%20No%2E%20506%2E09%2C%202003%29%2Epdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 688 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Inter-Community%20Business%20Licence%20Bylaw%20No%20688%2C%20201%2Epdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 626 (PDF), Town of Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/preview/?file_path=Bylaws/Municipal%20Ticket%20Information%20Utilization%20Bylaw%20No.%20626%20(Consolidated%20up%20to%20Bylaw%20No.%20626.07%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://qualicumbeach.com/building-development/provincial-housing-changes/short-term-rental-accommodations/) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Town of Qualicum Beach. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/business-licence/_