---
title: "Tofino business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Tofino, and how do I get one?"
place: Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/tofino
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Tofino
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/business-licence.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Anyone carrying on business in the District of Tofino needs a licence, with a separate one for each premises and each type of business there. Apply online through the District's business licence portal. Licences run January 1 to December 31.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Tofino, https://tofino.ca)  
**Cost:** Set by business class in Schedule A. 2026 examples: non-licensed full-service restaurant $155.80; professional services $233.70; commercial retail under 300 m² $233.70; non-profit $66.20. Plus a $77.90 processing fee.  
**How long:** After approval you have 30 days to finish and pay the annual fee.  
**Where:**
- Online: Business licence portal, https://citywideportal.com/auth/signup/tofino
- Email: Business licensing, business@tofino.ca
- Phone: District of Tofino, 250-725-3229
- In person: Municipal Office, 121 Third Street, PO Box 9, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone carrying on business in the District (s. 3(1)), with a separate licence for each premises and for each type of business at the same premises. A business run entirely online or entirely mobile still needs a licence but need not give premises.
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), s. 3(1), (3), (4)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "A person must not carry on any business within the District unless that person holds a valid and" … "If a person operates a business at more than one location, that person shall apply" … "If a person operates more than one type of business at the same premises, that person shall apply" … "(i) the business is operated entirely online; or"
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Doing Business in Tofino](https://tofino.ca/business-development/business-licensing/)
  - Official wording: "Anyone wishing to conduct business within the District of Tofino is required to hold a valid business licence."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** Set by class in Schedule A of the bylaw. 2026 examples: non-licensed full-service restaurant $155.80; professional services $233.70; commercial retail under 300 m² $233.70; non-profit $66.20. Processing fee $77.90.
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), Schedule A](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "Non-Licensed - Full Service $151.30 $155.80 $160.50" … "Professional Services $226.90 $233.70 $240.70" … "Commercial Retail <300sq. Meters $226.90 $233.70 $240.70" … "Non-Profit $64.30 $66.20 $68.20" … "Processing Fee $75.60 $77.90 $80.20"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Apply online through the District's business licence portal; pay the application fee; staff review and may schedule an inspection; once approved you have 30 days to finish and pay the annual fee. Checks can include zoning, building inspection, fire safety and health certificates.
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Apply for a New Business Licence](https://tofino.ca/business-development/business-licensing/)
  - Official wording: "Follow the steps below to apply for a new business licence. All applications are submitted online." … "You will be notified of approval and have 30 days to complete the application process."
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), s. 5(1)(e)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "a building inspection report by the Building Inspector;" … "a Fire Safety Certificate;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renew online on or before December 31; later renewals pay a late fee ($77.90 in 2026). A business operating after December 31 without renewing is treated as unlicensed.
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), s. 5(3), (7)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "commencing January 1 and ending December 31 of the year for which, the licence is issued." … "a business continuing to operate after December 31 that has not submitted a business licence" … "Late Renewal Fee $75.60 $77.90 $80.20"
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Yearly Renewal](https://tofino.ca/business-development/business-licensing/)
  - Official wording: "All business licences expire on December 31 each year."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Inter-community licence:** Not confirmed. The official text read does not offer an inter-community business licence.
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice: $500 for no business licence ($400 if paid within 14 days; $500 if late); $250 for advertising without a licence; $50 for failing to post the licence. Court fine up to $10,000.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1107.21, 2026, Amendment 1107.21 (effective Jan 20, 2026)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/178167/)
  - Official wording: "No Business License 3(1) Yes $500 $400 $500 50%" … "Fail to Post License 3.5 Yes $50 $40 $60 50%" … "Advertising without a 3.8 No $250 $200 $300 n/a"
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), s. 4(4)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "a fine not exceeding $10,000."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** District of Tofino Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022
  - Source: [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), Title](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)
  - Official wording: "District of Tofino Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022" … "Bylaw No. 1239.02, 2024"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Under the District of Tofino's [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/), anyone carrying on business in the District needs a licence, with a separate licence for each premises and each type of business at the same premises. A business run entirely online or entirely mobile still needs one but need not give premises. General contractors must make sure their subcontractors are licensed.

## Steps

1. Check the zoning map and bylaws for your location first.
2. Apply online through the portal and pay the application fee. Upload documents such as tenancy agreements, floor plans, vehicle registration and letters of incorporation.
3. Staff review the application and may schedule an inspection. Checks can include zoning, building inspection, fire safety and health certificates.
4. Once approved, finish and pay the annual fee within 30 days, then display the licence.
5. Renew online on or before December 31, using the Business Licence Renewal Amendment & Declaration Form.

## Good to know

- Schedule A lists 2025, 2026 and 2027 fees, which rise 3% a year. A late renewal fee of $77.90 applies (2026), and name or alteration changes cost $39 (2026). Credit card payments carry a 2.5% surcharge.
- A business operating after December 31 without renewing is treated as unlicensed.
- A bylaw notice is $500 for no business licence ($400 if paid within 14 days), $250 for advertising without a licence and $50 for failing to post the licence. The court fine can be up to $10,000.
- The District's separate municipal ticket schedule still names the repealed Business Licence Bylaw No. 858 and lists $500 for no business licence.
- Short-term rental and bed and breakfast renewals need extra documents.
- No inter-community business licence is offered in the official text found.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licensing, District of Tofino](https://tofino.ca/business-development/business-licensing/)
- [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/)

## Related questions

- [Tofino home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/home-based-business.md)
- [Tofino short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/short-term-rental.md)
- [Tofino zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Ucluelet](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/business-licence.md)
- [Gold River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/business-licence.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/business-licence.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/business-licence.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/business-licence.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licensing, District of Tofino](https://tofino.ca/business-development/business-licensing/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/163656/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1107.21, 2026 (PDF)](https://tofino.civicweb.net/document/178167/) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Tofino. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/business-licence/_