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

Do I need a business licence in Sechelt, and how do I get one?

Sechelt, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

Who needs one	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.Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026), ss. 3.1, 3.9, 5.1; Business Licences, District of Sechelt Process · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Your business licence is non-transferable
Fee	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.Business Licences, Types of Business Licences; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026), Schedule M; Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026), s. 3.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Regular Business Licence $150 yearly fee Basic Business Licence Fee $150 Non-Profit Business Licence Fee $1 Multiple Business Licence Fee $150 shall be reduced by one half (50%) in respect of a person who becomes liable to be licensed after the 31st day of July
How to apply	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.Business Licences, Application Process · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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.
Renewal	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.Business Licences, District of Sechelt Process; Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026), s. 4.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 to commence on the 1st day of January and terminate on the 31st day of December
Inter-community licence	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.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.Business Licences, Types of Business Licences; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026), Schedule M; Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 549, 2015, s. 4(a)-(b); Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 549, 2015, preamble · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. the shíshálh Nation, Town of Gibsons and District $75 Licence Fee 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. between the District of Sechelt, the Town of Gibsons and the Sechelt Indian Government District
Fine	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).Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 491, 2010 (PDF, consolidated March 2026), Appendix 2; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012, Schedule A (Bylaw 520) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 No business Licence $250 Yes No advertising or promotion by any $300
Bylaw	District of Sechelt Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “District of Sechelt Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012.”

How it works

Under the Business Licence Bylaw 520, 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.

Steps

Fill in the New Business Licence Application Form online.
Staff review it and contact you to pay.
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.
Other forms cover a move, change of owner, name or address, and cancellation.

Good to know

The fee is not refundable if you close your business.
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.
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.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Gibsons · Bowen Island · Lantzville · Nanaimo · Parksville · Qualicum Beach

Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Business Licences, District of Sechelt (read 2026-11-06)
Business Licence Bylaw No. 520, 2012 (PDF, consolidated February 2026) (read 2026-11-06)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 575, 2019 (PDF, consolidated March 2026) (read 2026-11-06)
Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 549, 2015 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 491, 2010 (PDF, consolidated March 2026) (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Implementation Bylaw No. 515, 2012 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

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