{"title":"Surrey business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in Surrey, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/surrey","name":"Surrey","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":"City of Surrey","url":"https://www.surrey.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. The City of Surrey requires a business licence for every business carried on in the city, including businesses with no Surrey premises that do work or services here. Fees are set by business category; an online application costs $50, credited to the first year's fee. Apply through the City's online portal, by email, or by mail.","aliases":["business license surrey","apply for business licence surrey bc","start a business in surrey","new business licence"],"cost":"Set by category in Schedule A of Business License Bylaw 13680 (for example Consultant $269 plus $37 per employee, Bakery $310, General contractor $377). An online application costs $50, credited to the first year's fee.","how_long":"The City does not state a processing time. A licence ends one year from its issue date.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Online Business Licensing Application Portal","value":"https://mbo.surrey.ca/obl/"},{"type":"email","label":"Business Licensing (completed forms)","value":"license@surrey.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licensing","value":"604-591-4370"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Surrey Operations Centre, Business Licencing counter","value":"6651 148 Street, Surrey, BC V3S 3C7"}],"documents":["Completed Business Licence Application form (if not applying online)","Zoning Inquiry Form answer for a commercial or industrial location","Any certification, professional membership or criminal record check your business type needs"],"forms":[{"title":"Business License Application (PDF)","url":"https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/BusinessLicenseApplication.pdf"},{"title":"Zoning Inquiry Form (PDF)","url":"https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/media/documents/ZoningInquiryForm.pdf"},{"title":"Business License Bylaw 13680","url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"Surrey home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/home-based-business/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/white-rock","name":"White Rock","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/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":"Every business carried on in Surrey, including businesses with no Surrey premises that do work or services in the city. No licence is needed for renting not more than 2 rooms. Registered charitable societies need a licence but pay $1 a year.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680","title":"Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680","section":"ss. 3, 7, 10, 12","quotes":["No person will carry on a business in the City without holding a valid and subsisting license","A business license is required for every business carried on in the City or with respect to","No license is required for the business of letting or renting rooms if not more than 2 rooms","only required to pay a nominal license fee of $1.00 per year"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses","title":"Types of Businesses, City of Surrey","section":"Types of Businesses","quotes":["The City of Surrey requires all businesses in Surrey to hold a valid business licence."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Set by business category in Schedule A, per year. Examples: Consultant $269 (plus $37 per employee), Bakery $310, General contractor $377. An online application costs $50, credited to the first year's fee.","short":"By category: Consultant $269; Bakery $310","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680","title":"Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680","section":"Schedule \"A\"; s. 14.1","quotes":["Consultant $269.00 per year (plus $37.00 per employee)","Bakery $310.00 per year","Contractor - General $377.00 per year","An application made online must be accompanied by payment of an application fee of $50.00."]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses","title":"Types of Businesses, City of Surrey","section":"Types of Businesses","quotes":["Confirm your business licence fee by contacting the Business Licensing team at 604-591-4370."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Apply through the Online Business Licensing Application Portal, or email a form to license@surrey.ca or mail it to Surrey Operations Centre, 6651 148 Street. Zoning is checked before a licence is granted; commercial businesses may be inspected (building, plumbing, electrical, health), and home-based ones by a Bylaw Services Officer.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/applying-for-a-business-licence","title":"Applying for a Business Licence, City of Surrey","section":"Applying for a Business Licence","quotes":["Use the Online Business Licensing Application Portal to apply for a new business licence.","Completed forms can be emailed to license@surrey.ca or mailed to:"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680","title":"Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680","section":"s. 32","quotes":["the Inspector must be satisfied that the use","for which the license is sought is not in violation of Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses","title":"Types of Businesses, City of Surrey","section":"Types of Businesses","quotes":["a series of inspections may take place, including:","Before signing any lease or purchase agreements, complete a Zoning Inquiry Form to ensure your location permits your type of business."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences are issued annually and end one year from the issue date. Renewal notices are usually mailed a month before expiry. Renew online, by phone (604-591-4370), in person at the Surrey Operations Centre, or by mail. A 5% penalty is added to fees unpaid 30 days after the due date, and another 5% after 90 days.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680","title":"Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680","section":"ss. 19, 21(2)","quotes":["All licenses granted under this By-law will be issued annually to terminate one year from","A 5% penalty will be added to gross license fees remaining unpaid 30 days after the due date."]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/renewing-business-licence","title":"Renewing a Business Licence, City of Surrey","section":"Renewing a Business Licence","quotes":["Business licence renewal notices are usually mailed out one month before the licence is set to expire.","by phone at 604-591-4370. Payments by credit card are accepted."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes, for trades contractors and construction-related professionals (and certain health-care visitors) who work outside a fixed location. Metro West licence covers Burnaby, Delta, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver: $300. Fraser Valley licence covers 12 municipalities including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley and Surrey: $250 under the bylaw. Valid 12 months; in addition to the regular Surrey licence.","short":"Yes, $300 Metro West; $250 Fraser Valley","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/21463","title":"Inter-Municipal Business Licence (Metro West) Bylaw 21463","section":"Metro West bylaw 21463, recital A and s. 9","quotes":["WHEREAS the City of Burnaby, the City of Delta, the City of New Westminster, the City of Richmond, the City of Surrey, and the City of Vancouver","The Inter-Municipal Business Licence fee is $300 and is payable to the Principal","The term of an Inter-Municipal Business Licence is twelve (12) months"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17809","title":"Inter-Municipal Business Licence (Fraser Valley) Bylaw 17809","section":"Fraser Valley bylaw 17809, s. 4 and s. 10","quotes":["City of Abbotsford Township of Langley City of Chilliwack City of Maple Ridge City of Delta City of Mission District of Hope City of Pitt Meadows District of Kent City of Surrey City of Langley Village of Harrison Hot Springs","The Inter-Municipal Business Licence fee is $250 and is payable to the Principal"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses","title":"Types of Businesses, City of Surrey","section":"Inter-municipal business","quotes":["The City of Surrey participates in two Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL) programs: the Fraser Valley IMBL and the Metro-West IMBL.","The cost is $300 per licence and is valid for one year from the date of application."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The City page says $300 for both programs and omits Harrison Hot Springs from the Fraser Valley list; the Fraser Valley bylaw (amended to Bylaw 21990, April 13, 2026) sets $250. Bylaw used. Apply through the home municipality: 604-591-4370 option 4. A separate Inter-municipal TNS (ride-hail) licence bylaw 20939 also exists."},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Doing business without a licence: bylaw notice $450 ($400 if paid within 14 days, $500 late); municipal ticket $500. Not posting the licence: notice $200 ($150 early, $250 late); ticket $200. Court conviction: $200 to $50,000 plus costs.","short":"Notice $450 ($400 if paid in 14 days); ticket $500","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/18691","title":"Surrey Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 18691, Schedule A","section":"Schedule A, Part 1 (Business License Bylaw)","quotes":["13680 3 No business license $450.00 $400.00 $500.00 Yes","13680 18 Business license not $200.00 $150.00 $250.00 Yes"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_12508.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 12508 Schedule (PDF)","section":"Schedule (Business License By-law)","quotes":["1. No business license 3 $500.00","2. Business license not posted 18 $200.00"]},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680","title":"Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680","section":"s. 66","quotes":["a penalty of not less than $200.00 and not more than"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680","title":"Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This By-law may be cited for all purposes as \"Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680.\""]}],"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 [Business License Bylaw 13680](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680), every business carried on in the City of Surrey needs a licence, including businesses with no Surrey premises that do work or services in the city. No licence is needed for renting not more than 2 rooms. Registered charitable societies need a licence but pay $1 a year. Zoning is checked before a licence is granted.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. For a commercial space, complete the Zoning Inquiry Form before you sign a lease or purchase agreement, to confirm the location allows your use.\n2. Ask Business Licensing (604-591-4370) whether your business needs a certification, professional membership or criminal record check, and confirm your fee.\n3. Apply through the Online Business Licensing Application Portal, or email a form to license@surrey.ca, or mail it to Surrey Operations Centre, 6651 148 Street.\n4. Expect inspections for commercial premises (building, plumbing, electrical, health). A Bylaw Services Officer may inspect home-based businesses.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Renewal: licences are issued annually. Renewal notices are usually mailed a month before expiry. Renew online, by phone, in person at the Surrey Operations Centre, or by mail. A 5% penalty is added to fees unpaid 30 days after the due date, and another 5% after 90 days.\n- Inter-municipal licence: trades contractors and construction-related professionals who work outside a fixed location can get one in addition to the regular Surrey licence. Metro West (Burnaby, Delta, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver) is $300. Fraser Valley (12 municipalities, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley and Surrey) is $250 under the bylaw. The City page says $300 for both, so confirm at 604-591-4370 option 4.\n- Fines: doing business without a licence is a bylaw notice of $450 ($400 if paid within 14 days, $500 late) or a municipal ticket of $500. Not posting the licence is a notice of $200 ($150 early, $250 late) or a ticket of $200. A court can fine $200 to $50,000 plus costs. The City's published ticket schedules are current only to late 2025, so amounts may have changed.\n- The City's application page says processing times may be delayed; check it for the current status.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680","title":"Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/applying-for-a-business-licence","title":"Applying for a Business Licence, City of Surrey","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses","title":"Types of Businesses, City of Surrey","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/renewing-business-licence","title":"Renewing a Business Licence, City of Surrey","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/21463","title":"Inter-Municipal Business Licence (Metro West) Bylaw 21463","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/17809","title":"Inter-Municipal Business Licence (Fraser Valley) Bylaw 17809","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/18691","title":"Surrey Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 18691, Schedule A","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/bylaws/BYL_reg_12508.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 12508 Schedule (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/surrey/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/business-licence.json"}}