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

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

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

**Short answer:** Anyone carrying on a business in Sidney needs a Town business licence unless exempt. Most commercial, industrial, home occupation and non-resident licences are $100 a year. Apply through the Town's eApply portal or email licensing@sidney.ca.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Sidney, https://www.sidney.ca)  
**Cost:** Commercial/industrial $100 ($200 over 500 m²); building rentals $100 ($200 over 500 m²); home occupation $100 (minor $50); daycare or child care facility $100; non-resident $100; vending machines $25 each (max $100 per premises); seasonal/event $25 per quarter; short term rental $200 a year; non-profits $0.  
**How long:** Licences run January 1 to December 31 and must be renewed by February 28.  
**Where:**
- Email: Business licensing, licensing@sidney.ca
- Phone: Development Services (building, planning, business licences), 250-656-1725
- In person: Town Hall, 2440 Sidney Avenue, Sidney, BC V8L 1Y7 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone carrying on a business in the Town needs a valid licence unless exempt: advertising or offering goods or services, selling or renting commodities, or providing services for gain. Businesses based outside Sidney that work in Sidney need a Non-Resident licence unless they hold an intermunicipal licence. Exempt: garage sales on your own residential property, government activity, school and continuing education programs, charitable or religious organizations using all proceeds for their purposes, and rental of up to two dwelling units by the owner (not short term rentals).
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119 (PDF, amended to Bylaw No. 2283, November 2024), s. 3.1, 3.2, 3.8, 11.1](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2119-Business-Licence.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall be deemed to be carrying on a business in the Town." … "a person shall not carry on any" … "Business within the Town without a valid and subsisting Business Licence issued to that" … "A garage sale, which is conducted on a person's own residential property;" … "The rental of up to two dwelling units on a property"
  - Source: [Apply for a Business Licence](https://www.sidney.ca/business-community/starting-a-business/apply-for-a-business-licence/)
  - Official wording: "All businesses operating within the Town of Sidney must hold a valid Business Licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Commercial/industrial $100 ($200 over 500 m²); building rentals $100 ($200 over 500 m²); home occupation $100 (minor $50); daycare or child care facility $100; non-resident $100; vending machines $25 each (max $100 per premises); seasonal/event $25 per quarter; short term rental $200 a year; non-profits $0.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119 (PDF, amended to Bylaw No. 2283, November 2024), Schedule A](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2119-Business-Licence.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Commercial / Industrial $100.00" … "Minor Home Occupation $50.00" … "Non-Resident $100.00" … "Short Term Rental – Annual Fee $200.00" … "No additional charge for Intermunicipal classification where applicable."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Apply through the Town's eApply portal, or fill out the application form and drop it at Town Hall or email licensing@sidney.ca. After payment, staff contact the applicant to continue: inspections, Island Health approval if required, and floor plans if required. Fees can be paid in person or online.
  - Source: [Apply for a Business Licence](https://www.sidney.ca/business-community/starting-a-business/apply-for-a-business-licence/)
  - Official wording: "A Town of Sidney Business Licence can be obtained through the:" … "By filling out a Business Licence Application Form and dropping it off in person at Town Hall or emailing it to licensing@sidney.ca." … "Obtaining Island Health approval, if required" … "Business Licence application fees can be paid in person at the Town Hall or online."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31 and must be renewed by February 28 each year using the renewal form. Renewal is free, except short term rental and Intercommunity licences, which pay an annual fee (short term rental holders are contacted individually). A licence not renewed by the deadline expires and needs a new application and fee.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119 (PDF, amended to Bylaw No. 2283, November 2024), s. 4.9, 5.1, 4.11](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2119-Business-Licence.pdf)
  - Official wording: "on or before February 28th of each year at no charge by completing the renewal form" … "to commence on the first day of January and to terminate on the thirty-first day of" … "be required to submit a completed Fire Safety Self-Assessment annually together with the"
  - Source: [Town of Sidney, Business Licence Renewals](https://www.sidney.ca/business/renew)
  - Official wording: "All business licences must be renewed annually by completing the renewal form by February 28th of each year." … "Business licences not renewed by the deadline will expire and require a new application and fee."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Yes. The Intercommunity Business Licence is $170 a year for mobile businesses (trades, contractors, landscapers, delivery, cleaning, caterers); get a standard licence first. Sidney is in the Vancouver Island partnership and the 13-community Greater Victoria Inter-Municipal partnership. The Town also issues and recognizes the CRD Intermunicipal licence at no extra cost.
  - Source: [Apply for a Business Licence](https://www.sidney.ca/business-community/starting-a-business/apply-for-a-business-licence/)
  - Official wording: "The ICBL costs $170 annually. Other fees may apply." … "There is no cost difference between an Intermunicipal Business Licence and a non-Intermunicipal Business Licence."
  - Source: [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 2314, s. 4](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2314-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The fee for an Inter-Community Business Licence is $170 and will be retained by"
  - Source: [Mobile business licence program, Province of BC, Mobile business licence partnerships](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/managing-a-business/starting-a-business/permits-licences/mobile-business-licence-program)
  - Official wording: "This program includes 13 participating communities, allowing" … "Contact a local government within a partnership to learn if your business is eligible and how to apply for a mobile business licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Operating without a business licence: bylaw notice $260 ($200 if paid early, $315 late); municipal ticket $260 ($200 if paid within 30 days). Advertising without a licence: $130 ($100 early or within 30 days).
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2239, Schedule C](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2239-Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-CON.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Operate without 3.2 $260.00 $200.00 $315.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2180, Schedule 4](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2180-MTI-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Operate without a 3.2 $260.00 $200.00" … "Advertise without a"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119 (consolidated, amended to Amendment No. 4, Bylaw No. 2283, November 2024)
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119 (PDF, amended to Bylaw No. 2283, November 2024), title](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2119-Business-Licence.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119 (Consolidated)" … "(Amendment No. 4) Bylaw No. 2283, November 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2119-Business-Licence.pdf), anyone carrying on a business in the Town needs a valid licence unless exempt. That includes advertising or offering goods or services, selling or renting commodities, or providing services for gain. Businesses based outside Sidney that work in Sidney need a Non-Resident licence unless they hold an intermunicipal licence.

Exempt: garage sales on your own residential property, government activity, school and continuing education programs, charitable or religious organizations using all proceeds for their purposes, and rental of up to two dwelling units by the owner (not short term rentals). Non-profits and political campaign offices with a physical office in Sidney must apply but pay no fee.

## Steps

1. Apply through the Town's eApply portal, or fill out the application form and drop it at Town Hall or email licensing@sidney.ca.
2. Pay the fee (see the fees above), in person or online.
3. After payment, staff contact you to continue: inspections, Island Health approval if required, and floor plans if required.
4. Renew by February 28 each year using the renewal form. Renewal is free, except short term rental and Intercommunity licences, which pay an annual fee. A licence not renewed by the deadline expires and needs a new application and fee.

## Good to know

- Mobile businesses (trades, contractors, landscapers, delivery, cleaning, caterers) can get an Intercommunity Business Licence for $170 a year; get a standard licence first. Sidney is in the Vancouver Island partnership and the 13-community Greater Victoria Inter-Municipal partnership. The Town also issues and recognizes the CRD Intermunicipal licence at no extra cost.
- Operating without a licence: a bylaw notice is $260 ($200 if paid early, $315 late); a municipal ticket is $260 ($200 if paid within 30 days). Advertising without a licence is $130 ($100 early or within 30 days).
- Home businesses and short term rentals have extra rules; see the home-based-business and short-term-rental answers.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2119-Business-Licence.pdf)
- [Intercommunity Business Licence Bylaw No. 2314 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2314-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [North Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-saanich/business-licence.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/business-licence.md)
- [Highlands](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/business-licence.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/business-licence.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/business-licence.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119 (PDF, amended to Bylaw No. 2283, November 2024)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2119-Business-Licence.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Apply for a Business Licence, Town of Sidney](https://www.sidney.ca/business-community/starting-a-business/apply-for-a-business-licence/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 2314 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2314-Inter-Community-Business-Licence.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Mobile business licence program, Province of BC](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/managing-a-business/starting-a-business/permits-licences/mobile-business-licence-program) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2239 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2239-Bylaw-Notice-Enforcement-CON.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2180 (PDF)](https://www.sidney.ca/wp-content/uploads/2180-MTI-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Town of Sidney](https://www.sidney.ca/business/renew) (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 Sidney. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sidney/business-licence/_