---
title: "Richmond business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Richmond, and how do I get one?"
place: Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/richmond
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Richmond
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/business-licence.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of Richmond, including home-based and out-of-town businesses, needs a City business licence and must post it. Apply online through MyBusiness, or by mail or in person. Complete applications take about 4 to 6 weeks.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Richmond, https://www.richmond.ca)  
**Cost:** Annual fee by business category and size, no tax: for example $166 for a service business with 0 to 5 employees or a store up to 93 m², $197 for industrial or manufacturing with 0 to 5 employees. Full schedule in Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636.  
**How long:** About 4 to 6 weeks for a complete application, not counting non-resident and home-based businesses. Zoning, building, health and fire approvals may be needed.  
**Where:**
- Online: MyBusiness (inside the MyRichmond portal), https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences/mybusiness.htm
- In person: City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC V6Y 2C1 (Monday to Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cash is not accepted.)
- Phone: Business Licences, 604-276-4328

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone carrying on business in Richmond: commercial, industrial, home-based or out-of-town. The licence must be posted in a conspicuous place.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 7360 (PDF, consolidated with Bylaw 10669), s. 4.1.1](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7360_Consolidated_with_ABL_10669_06092577121.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a person must not carry on any business within the City, unless that person is in possession of a licence issued pursuant to this bylaw"
  - Source: [Business Licences](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences.htm)
  - Official wording: "To conduct business in Richmond, you must hold a valid business licence and post it in a conspicuous place in accordance with city bylaws."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Annual fee set by business category, no tax. Examples: $166 for a service business with 0 to 5 employees or a store up to 93 m²; $197 for industrial or manufacturing with 0 to 5 employees. The full schedule is in the Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636.
  - Source: [Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636, Schedule - Business Licence](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8636_Consolidated_with_ABLs_10699__10702_and_10720_11102578073.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Service Use – Business Licence Fee Assessed by Number of Employees (including owners)*" … "0 to 5 $166.00" … "0.0 to 93.0 (0 to 1,000) $166.00" … "Industrial/Manufacturing Use – Business Licence Fee Assessed by Number of Employees" … "0 to 5 $197.00"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licence Fees](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences.htm)
  - Official wording: "The licence fee is an annual fee based on the calendar year from date when the licence is issued. No tax is required for the licence fee."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Apply online through MyBusiness (MyRichmond account), or by mail or in person with the Business Licence Application Form and the application fee. Applications are not processed without the fee. Zoning, building, health and fire approvals may be needed. Complete applications take about 4 to 6 weeks, except non-resident and home-based businesses.
  - Source: [MyBusiness Portal](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences/mybusiness.htm)
  - Official wording: "MyBusiness streamlines the business licencing process through an online self-service option"
  - Source: [Business Licences, New Business Licence Application](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences.htm)
  - Official wording: "Note: Applications will not be processed without the Application Fee." … "is about 4 to 6 weeks, provided that all requirements and approvals have been met" … "Our processing time for complete business licence applications (except for non-resident and home-based businesses) is about 4 to 6 weeks, provided that all requirements and approvals have been met."
  - Source: [Appendix A, Guide to the Business Licence Application Process, Step 3](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Appendix_A_-_Guide_to_the_Business_Licence_Application6162.pdf)
  - Official wording: "providing you comply with the regulations in Part 5 of the Zoning Bylaw, which states: Business Licence is changed to" … "occupancy approval advice. Vancouver Coastal Health Depending on the business use a Health Permit and/or health inspection may be required. Inquiries can be" … "Fire Department It may be necessary to obtain approval from this department before your Business Licence can be issued."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** A licence is valid for one year and expires on the first day of the month after the anniversary of its issue date. A renewal notice is mailed about 30 days before expiry. Renew online in MyBusiness, or by mail, at a bank or in person.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 7360 (PDF, consolidated with Bylaw 10669), s. 4.2.1](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7360_Consolidated_with_ABL_10669_06092577121.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every licence, unless suspended or cancelled, is valid for one year and expires on the first day of the month following the anniversary of the date the licence was issued."
  - Source: [Business Licences, Renewing a Business Licence](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences.htm)
  - Official wording: "a renewal notice will be mailed approximately 30 days prior to the expiry date" … "Use MyBusiness, the City's new online business licencing service in the MyRichmond portal, to easily apply for, update, and renew business licences."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. The Metro West Inter-Municipal Business Licence costs $300 a year (not pro-rated) on top of the home-municipality licence. It covers eligible construction-related trades and professionals, and health care providers visiting clients' homes, in Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, Delta and Burnaby.
  - Source: [Metro West Inter-Municipal Business Licence](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences/metro-west-inter-municipal-business-licence.htm)
  - Official wording: "The City of Richmond has partnered with Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, Delta and Burnaby in this trial program." … "Submit fee in the amount of $300.00 (fee is not pro-rated)" … "Must hold a valid City of Richmond business licence for trade or construction related services or healthcare professionals or healthcare service providers"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Operating without a licence: bylaw notice $450 ($400 if paid in 1 to 28 days, $500 from day 61); municipal ticket $1,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 8122, Schedule A, Business Licence Bylaw No. 7360](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8122_02092678501.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Operating a business without a licence 4.1.1 No $ 450.00 $ 400.00 $ 500.00 n/a"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321, Schedule B 2](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7321_Consolidated_with_ABL_10667_06092577123.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Operating a business without a licence 4.1.1 $1000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw No. 7360
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw 7360 (PDF, consolidated with Bylaw 10669), title](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7360_Consolidated_with_ABL_10669_06092577121.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW NO. 7360"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Richmond's [Business Licence Bylaw 7360](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7360_Consolidated_with_ABL_10669_06092577121.pdf) requires a licence for anyone carrying on business in Richmond: commercial, industrial, home-based or out-of-town. The licence must be posted in a conspicuous place. Some provincially regulated businesses need proof of a provincial licence first.

## Steps

1. Check zoning with the Zoning Inquiry Line (604-276-4017) before you sign a lease.
2. Apply in MyBusiness (you need a MyRichmond account), or use the Business Licence Application Form by mail or in person. Applications are not processed without the fee.
3. Complete any zoning, building, health or fire approvals the City asks for.
4. Post the licence once issued.
5. Renew each year. A licence is valid for one year and expires on the first day of the month after the anniversary of its issue date. A renewal notice is mailed about 30 days before expiry. Renew online in MyBusiness, or by mail, at a bank or in person.

## Good to know

- A licence transfer or change costs $56.75, and a reprint $15. The highest annual fee is $4,562.
- A Metro West Inter-Municipal Business Licence costs $300 a year (not pro-rated) on top of your Richmond licence. It covers eligible construction-related trades and professionals, and health care providers visiting clients' homes, in Vancouver, Surrey, New Westminster, Delta and Burnaby.
- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $450 ($400 if paid in 1 to 28 days, $500 from day 61); a municipal ticket is $1,000.
- Home-based businesses also have zoning limits (see home-based-business).

## What you'll need

- Business Licence Application Form and the application fee
- Provincial licence proof, where the business is provincially regulated (see Appendix A)

## Official forms and pages

- [Appendix A, Guide to the Business Licence Application Process (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Appendix_A_-_Guide_to_the_Business_Licence_Application6162.pdf)
- [Starting a Business in Richmond (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/startingbusinessenglish202472772.pdf)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 7360 (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7360_Consolidated_with_ABL_10669_06092577121.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Richmond home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/home-based-business.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/business-licence.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/business-licence.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/business-licence.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/business-licence.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/business-licence.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [MyBusiness Portal, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences/mybusiness.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Appendix A, Guide to the Business Licence Application Process (PDF)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/Appendix_A_-_Guide_to_the_Business_Licence_Application6162.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw 7360 (PDF, consolidated with Bylaw 10669)](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7360_Consolidated_with_ABL_10669_06092577121.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Consolidated Fees Bylaw 8636 (PDF), City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8636_Consolidated_with_ABLs_10699__10702_and_10720_11102578073.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Metro West Inter-Municipal Business Licence, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences/metro-west-inter-municipal-business-licence.htm) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 8122 (PDF), City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_8122_02092678501.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw 7321 (PDF), City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/BL_7321_Consolidated_with_ABL_10667_06092577123.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Approvals FAQs, City of Richmond](https://www.richmond.ca/business-development/building-approvals/faqs.htm) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Richmond. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/business-licence/_