Sooke business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
Do I need a business licence in Sooke, and how do I get one?
Short answer
Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the District of Sooke needs a District business licence, one for each premises. Fees run from $50 for home-based businesses to $250 for large commercial premises, plus tax. Email businesslicence@sooke.ca or call 250-642-1634. Most licences take 10 business days.
Key facts
| Who needs one | Anyone carrying on a business in the District, including storefronts, home-based businesses, contractors, mobile services, food vendors, pop-ups, seasonal operations and short-term rentals. A separate licence is needed for each premises. Exempt: businesses only on federal Crown land, and vehicle-for-hire drivers with a provincial authorization (the premises still need one).Business Licence Bylaw No. 778, 2021 (PDF, consolidated July 11, 2022), ss. 4 to 6; Business Licenses, Business Licenses page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall carry on any business within the District, unless they are A separate licence must be obtained for each premises used for business Any business operating solely on Federal Crown Land A licence is required before beginning business activity in the District of Sooke. |
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| Fee | Home-based $50; commercial small (464.5 m² or less) $125; commercial large $250; intermunicipal $100; non-resident $100; daily $50 a day; direct seller or peddler $50; charities, government and farm stands no charge. Plus applicable taxes. Unpaid at March 1: 50% late fee.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, Schedule 4, Schedule 4 – Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCommercial – Small (464.5 sq.m./5,000 sq.ft.) or less gross floor area of $125.00 $250.00 Unpaid Annual Licence fee as of March 1 50% of outstanding |
| How to apply | Complete the Business Licence Application, provide required approvals (zoning confirmation, fire or building inspection, Island Health permits), pay the fee, and begin once approved. Email businesslicence@sooke.ca or call 250-642-1634. Most licences take 10 business days.Business Licenses, Business Licenses page, How to Apply · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingComplete the Business Licence Application Provide any required approvals (zoning confirmation, fire or building inspections, Island Health permits) Most licences are processed within 10 business days. |
| Renewal | Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal notices are mailed by November 30 and can be paid online with the account number and access code. Application forms say renew by the last day of February; unpaid at March 1 adds a 50% late fee.Business Licence Bylaw No. 778, 2021 (PDF, consolidated July 11, 2022), s. 32; Business Licenses, Business Licenses page; Short-Term Rental Business Licence Application Form, STR application form · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingperiod to commence the first day of January and to terminate the thirty- first day of December Business licence renewals are required each year. Renewal notices are mailed out by November 30. All Business Licences expire December 31st and must be renewed no later than the last day of February. |
| Inter-community licence | Two schemes. Intermunicipal Business Licence (Bylaw No. 46, 2001): Sooke and 12 Greater Victoria-area municipalities; minimum $100; for contractors, towing and mobile sales. Inter-Community Business Licence (Bylaw No. 702): $170 on top of the Sooke licence, mobile work only; its participant list does not name Sooke, so confirm with the District.Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 702, 2018, s. 4 Fees and definitions; Business Licenses, Business Licenses page; Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw No. 46, 2001, Bylaw No. 46, Intermunicipal Business License Agreement, parties and s. 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe fee for an Inter-Community Business is $170 separate and additional to any Municipal Business Licence fee purchased in addition to your District of Sooke business licence The District of Sooke The minimum fee for an Intermunicipal Business License is $100.00. |
| Fine | Operating without a valid licence: a fine equal to double the applicable licence fee (MTI Bylaw No. 836, Schedule B4, s. 4). Contravening a licence $200; unapproved change $100.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 836, Schedule B4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingOperating a business without a valid licence Fine equal to double the |
| Bylaw | Business Licence Bylaw No. 778, 2021 (consolidated July 11, 2022); fees in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, Schedule 4Business Licence Bylaw No. 778, 2021 (PDF, consolidated July 11, 2022), title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingJULY 11, 2022 BYLAW NO. 778, BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW, 2021 BYLAW NO. 828 (778-01), BUSINESS LICENCE AMENDMENT BYLAW, 2021 |
How it works
Under Business Licence Bylaw No. 778, anyone carrying on a business in Sooke needs a licence. That includes storefronts, home-based businesses, contractors, mobile services, food vendors, pop-ups, seasonal operations and short-term rentals. A separate licence is needed for each premises. Businesses only on federal Crown land are exempt, as are vehicle-for-hire drivers with a provincial authorization (their premises still need one). Charities, non-profits and government pay no fee but follow the process.
Steps
- Complete the Business Licence Application.
- Provide the approvals your business needs, such as zoning confirmation, fire or building inspection, and Island Health permits.
- Email businesslicence@sooke.ca or call 250-642-1634, and pay the fee.
- Start once approved. Most licences take 10 business days.
Good to know
- Two cross-municipality licences. The Intermunicipal Business Licence (Bylaw No. 46, 2001) covers Sooke and 12 Greater Victoria-area municipalities, at a minimum of $100, for contractors, towing and mobile sales. The Inter-Community Business Licence (Bylaw No. 702) costs $170 on top of the Sooke licence for mobile work only; its participant list does not name Sooke, so confirm with the District.
- Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal notices are mailed by November 30 and can be paid online with the account number and access code. Application forms say renew by the last day of February; unpaid at March 1 adds a 50% late fee.
- Operating without a valid licence carries a fine equal to double the licence fee. Contravening a licence is $200, and an unapproved change is $100.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Metchosin · Langford · Colwood · Highlands · View Royal · Esquimalt
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licenses, District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 778, 2021 (PDF, consolidated July 11, 2022), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, Schedule 4 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw No. 46, 2001 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw No. 702, 2018 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 836 (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
- Short-Term Rental Business Licence Application Form (PDF), District of Sooke (read 2026-11-06)
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