Tofino business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply
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.
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.Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), s. 3(1), (3), (4); Business Licensing, Doing Business in Tofino · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA 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 Anyone wishing to conduct business within the District of Tofino is required to hold a valid business licence. |
|---|---|
| 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.Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNon-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 |
| 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.Business Licensing, Apply for a New Business Licence; Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), s. 5(1)(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFollow 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. a building inspection report by the Building Inspector; a Fire Safety Certificate; |
| 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.Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), s. 5(3), (7); Business Licensing, Yearly Renewal · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingcommencing 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 All business licences expire on December 31 each year. |
| 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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1107.21, 2026, Amendment 1107.21 (effective Jan 20, 2026); Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), s. 4(4) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo 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 a fine not exceeding $10,000. |
| Bylaw | District of Tofino Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDistrict of Tofino Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 Bylaw No. 1239.02, 2024 |
How it works
Under the District of Tofino's Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 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
- Check the zoning map and bylaws for your location first.
- Apply online through the portal and pay the application fee. Upload documents such as tenancy agreements, floor plans, vehicle registration and letters of incorporation.
- Staff review the application and may schedule an inspection. Checks can include zoning, building inspection, fire safety and health certificates.
- Once approved, finish and pay the annual fee within 30 days, then display the licence.
- 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
The same question in other places
Ucluelet · Gold River · Port Alberni · Cumberland · Courtenay · Comox
Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licensing, District of Tofino (read 2026-11-08)
- Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 1239, 2022 (PDF, consolidated through Bylaw 1239.02, 2024) (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 1107.21, 2026 (PDF) (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. How answers are checked.