{"title":"Sechelt business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Sechelt, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/sechelt","name":"Sechelt","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":"District of Sechelt","url":"https://www.sechelt.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the District of Sechelt needs a valid District business licence for each business. A regular licence is $150 a year. Apply with the online application form; staff review it and contact you to pay.","aliases":["business licence sechelt","business license sechelt","inter-community business licence sechelt","renew business licence sechelt"],"cost":"Regular licence (business only in Sechelt) $150 a year; non-profit $1; a single business in two or more classifications $150 more. Licences first needed after July 31 are half price. Short-term rentals have separate fees.","how_long":"Not stated on the page. Licences run January 1 to December 31; renewal invoices go out in December and are due January 1.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Business Licences, District of Sechelt (application form and MySechelt portal)","value":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"2nd Floor, 5797 Cowrie Street, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0","note":"9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (days of the week not stated on the page)"},{"type":"phone","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"604-885-1986"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licences, District of Sechelt","url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF)","url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Sechelt home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/home-based-business/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Sechelt short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Sechelt zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Sechelt bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/gibsons","name":"Gibsons","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gibsons/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/bowen-island","name":"Bowen Island","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/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/parksville","name":"Parksville","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/parksville/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/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":"Anyone carrying on a business in the District must pay the licence fee and hold a valid business licence for each business. Licences are not transferable, so a new owner or a new location needs a new licence. No business that needs a licence may advertise without one.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)","section":"ss. 3.1, 3.9, 5.1","quotes":["no person shall carry on a business within the District of Sechelt unless:","That person is the holder of a valid and subsisting business licence issued by the Licence Inspector","unless they are the holder of a valid business licence issued pursuant to this bylaw.","a new owner of that business shall apply for a new licence"]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, District of Sechelt","section":"District of Sechelt Process","quotes":["Your business licence is non-transferable"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Regular licence (business only in Sechelt): $150 a year. Non-profit: $1. A single business in two or more classifications: $150 more. Short-term rentals have separate fees. Licences first needed after July 31 are half price.","short":"$150 a year","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, District of Sechelt","section":"Types of Business Licences","quotes":["Regular Business Licence $150 yearly fee"]},{"url":"https://sechelt-ca.govstack.com/media/bz5dgd1e/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","section":"Schedule M","quotes":["Basic Business Licence Fee $150","Non-Profit Business Licence Fee $1","Multiple Business Licence Fee $150"]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)","section":"s. 3.4","quotes":["shall be reduced by one half (50%) in respect of a person who becomes liable to be licensed after the 31st day of July"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Submit the New Business Licence Application Form (online); staff review it and then contact you to pay. The licence is meant to confirm the business meets health, fire and building codes and zoning. Other forms cover a move, change of owner, name or address, and cancellation.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, District of Sechelt","section":"Application Process","quotes":["Complete and submit a business licence application.","New Business Licence - Use the New Business Licence Application Form","Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted by staff to make payment.","Having a business licence helps to ensure your business meets health, fire and building codes, as well as zoning bylaws."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal invoices are sent in December and are due January 1. Renew on the MySechelt portal, in person at Municipal Hall, or by phone with a credit card.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, District of Sechelt","section":"District of Sechelt Process","quotes":["Annual licences are issued for a calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31).","Renewal invoices will be sent out to all businesses December of each year and are due January 1st","Renewing your business licence - Use our MySechelt online portal, in person at municipal hall, or over the phone with a credit card"]},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)","section":"s. 4.1","quotes":["to commence on the 1st day of January and terminate on the 31st day of December"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. An Inter-Community Business Licence lets a Sechelt-based business that visits clients work in Sechelt, the Town of Gibsons and the shíshálh Nation (the District's page also lists the SCRD). The District's page gives $225 a year in total ($150 plus a $75 add-on, per the fee schedule). Bylaw 549 says the add-on fee is $50.","short":"Yes, $225 total (bylaw says $50 add-on)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, District of Sechelt","section":"Types of Business Licences","quotes":["Inter-Community Business Licence $225 yearly fee","An inter-community Business Licence allows Sechelt-based businesses to conduct business in the Town of Gibsons, shíshálh Nation and the Sunshine Coast Regional District."]},{"url":"https://sechelt-ca.govstack.com/media/bz5dgd1e/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","section":"Schedule M","quotes":["the shíshálh Nation, Town of Gibsons and District $75 Licence Fee"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/sechelt-ca/media/mcfngzbr/549-2015-inter-community-business-licence.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 549, 2015 (PDF)","section":"s. 4(a)-(b)","quotes":["The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence from the District of Sechelt shall be $50.00","is separate and additional to the Municipal Business Licence fee that is required."]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/sechelt-ca/media/mcfngzbr/549-2015-inter-community-business-licence.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 549, 2015 (PDF)","section":"preamble","quotes":["between the District of Sechelt, the Town of Gibsons and the Sechelt Indian Government District"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Conflict on the add-on fee: Fees and Charges Bylaw 575 Schedule M says $75 (matches the page's $225 with the $150 licence); Inter-Community Bylaw 549, 2015 s. 4 says $50. Fee bylaw followed as the more recent. The business must still meet the licensing rules of every participating place where it works."},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket (Bylaw 491): $2,000 for carrying on business without a valid licence; $1,000 for not paying the licence fee. Bylaw notice (Bylaw 515): $250 for having no business licence ($300 for advertising without a valid licence).","short":"Notice $250; ticket $2,000","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/sghjjzsn/491-2010-municipal-ticket-information-consolidation.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 491, 2010 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","section":"Appendix 2","quotes":["1. Non-payment of License fee 3.1.1 $1,000.00","2. Carrying on business without valid license 3.1.2 $2,000.00"]},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/sechelt-ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A (Bylaw 520)","quotes":["No business Licence $250 Yes","No advertising or promotion by any $300"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Sechelt Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “District of Sechelt Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012.”"]}],"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 [Business Licence Bylaw 520](https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf), anyone carrying on a business in the District of Sechelt must pay the licence fee and hold a valid business licence for each business. Licences are not transferable, so a new owner or a new location needs a new licence. A business that needs a licence may not advertise without one. The licence is meant to confirm the business meets health, fire and building codes and zoning.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Fill in the New Business Licence Application Form online.\n2. Staff review it and contact you to pay.\n3. Renew each year: invoices are sent in December and due January 1. Renew on the MySechelt portal, in person at Municipal Hall, or by phone with a credit card.\n4. Other forms cover a move, change of owner, name or address, and cancellation.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The fee is not refundable if you close your business.\n- An Inter-Community Business Licence lets a Sechelt-based business that visits clients work in Sechelt, the Town of Gibsons and the shíshálh Nation (the District's page also lists the SCRD). The page gives $225 a year in total ($150 plus a $75 add-on per the fee schedule). Inter-Community Bylaw 549 says the add-on is $50, so confirm the amount. The business must still meet each place's licensing rules.\n- Fines: a municipal ticket (Bylaw 491) is $2,000 for carrying on business without a valid licence and $1,000 for not paying the licence fee. A bylaw notice (Bylaw 515) is $250 for no business licence and $300 for advertising without a valid licence. A bylaw notice must be paid or disputed within 14 days.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/business-and-development/business/business-licences/","title":"Business Licences, District of Sechelt","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/msydxzws/520-2012-business-licence-bylaw-consolidation.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://sechelt-ca.govstack.com/media/bz5dgd1e/575-2019-fees-and-charges-consolidated.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/sechelt-ca/media/mcfngzbr/549-2015-inter-community-business-licence.pdf","title":"Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 549, 2015 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.sechelt.ca/media/sghjjzsn/491-2010-municipal-ticket-information-consolidation.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 491, 2010 (PDF, consolidated March 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/sechelt-ca/media/d0ibsbhf/515-2012-bylaw-notice-enforcement-implementation-consolidated.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/sechelt/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sechelt/business-licence.json"}}