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

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In Ucluelet any commercial, industrial, home-based or non-resident business working in the District needs a licence. Apply with the Business Licence Application and the $35 fee; the annual fee depends on your business class, for example $177 for professional services.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Ucluelet, https://ucluelet.ca)  
**Cost:** $35 non-refundable new-application fee, plus an annual fee by business class in Schedule P, for example $177 for professional services. Fees rise 2% each May 1 from 2024, and the schedule's printed amounts are headed 2022.  
**How long:** Review takes 10 to 15 working days or more. After you pay the licence fee, the licence is mailed within 10 working days.  
**Where:**
- Email: Business licence applications, info@ucluelet.ca
- In person: Municipal Office, 200 Main Street, Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Also accepted by mail.)
- Phone: Municipal Office, 250-726-7744

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Any commercial, industrial, home-based or non-resident business working in the District, including each separate premises. Exempt: schools, and community events sponsored by the Recreation Department or Commission using municipal property.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-ucluelet/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "any commercial, industrial, home-based or non-resident business working within the municipality must have a valid business licence in order to operate."
  - Source: [Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026, s. 3.1](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84288/2002%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Business%20Regulation%20_%20Licensing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "carry on a business within the municipality unless he or she is the holder of a valid"
  - Source: [Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026, s. 6.4](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84288/2002%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Business%20Regulation%20_%20Licensing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Schools shall be exempt from the licensing requirements of the bylaw."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fee:** $35 non-refundable new-application fee, plus an annual fee by business class in Schedule P, for example $177 for professional services. Fees rise 2% each May 1 from 2024.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1186, 2016, unofficial 2025 consolidation, Schedule P](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/77211/1186%20Bylaw%202016%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20-%20Consolidated%20-%202025%20-%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "New Application Fee $35 (non refundable)" … "Services or operating any business, trade, occupation, $177.00 profession, calling, undertaking or things and all like" … "Business Licensing Fees shall increase by 2% annually on the 1st of May, effective 2024."
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-ucluelet/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "the $35 application fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **How to apply:** Complete the Business Licence Application and submit it in person, by mail or by email to info@ucluelet.ca with supporting documents and the $35 fee. It is reviewed by Planning, Building, Fire and Bylaw as needed; zoning approval is required. Review takes 10 to 15 working days or more.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-ucluelet/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Please submit your application form in-person, by mail or by email to info@ucluelet.ca, along with any supporting documents and the $35 application fee." … "or more if external agencies are involved."
  - Source: [Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026, s. 3.2](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84288/2002%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Business%20Regulation%20_%20Licensing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "carry on a business within the municipality without approval from the Licence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Renewal:** Licences run May 1 to April 30. Renewal forms are mailed in March or April; payment is due by May 31 (late penalty applies after June 1). Renew by online banking, cash, debit or cheque.
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-ucluelet/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "Business licences are renewed annually and are valid from 01 May to 30 April." … "Renewal forms are mailed out to existing, licensed businesses in March /April each year."
  - Source: [Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026, s. 8.1](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84288/2002%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Business%20Regulation%20_%20Licensing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Licences shall be issued for the period from May 1st to April 30th of the following"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1186, 2016, unofficial 2025 consolidation, Schedule P notes](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/77211/1186%20Bylaw%202016%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20-%20Consolidated%20-%202025%20-%20FINAL.pdf)
  - Official wording: "subject to $100.00 penalty, if payment is not made"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Inter-community licence:** Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice for no valid business licence: $500 ($400 if paid early, $625 if late). Operating with an expired licence $100; licence not displayed $100.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2019, 2026, Schedule A, Bylaw No. 2002](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84303/2019%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No Valid Business Licence $500.00 $400.00 $625.00" … "Operating with an Expired Business $100.00 $37.50 $62.50" … "Business Licence not displayed in $100.00 $75.00 $125.00"
  - Source: [Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026, s. 20.1](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84288/2002%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Business%20Regulation%20_%20Licensing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "liable upon summary conviction to pay a fine of not more than $50,000"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026 (repeals Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 922, 2003) (Sources differ: The Business Licences page still cites Bylaw No. 922, 2003, which the 2026 bylaw repeals. The posted copy of No. 2002 has a blank adoption date, but the District's notice scheduled final adoption for May 26, 2026 and the BNE bylaw adopted that day lists it.)
  - Source: [Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026, ss. 1 and 22.1](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84288/2002%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Business%20Regulation%20_%20Licensing.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026" … "This Bylaw hereby repeals “Ucluelet Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No."
  - Source: [Business Licences, Business Licences page](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-ucluelet/business-licences/)
  - Official wording: "(Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 922, 2003 and Amendment Bylaw No. 1021, 2006.)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Ucluelet requires a licence under the [Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84288/2002%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Business%20Regulation%20_%20Licensing.pdf) for any commercial, industrial, home-based or non-resident business working in the District, including each separate premises. Schools and community events sponsored by the Recreation Department or Commission using municipal property are exempt. The District's Business Licences page still cites the older Bylaw No. 922, 2003, which the 2026 bylaw repeals, so go by the 2026 bylaw.

Applications are reviewed by Planning, Building, Fire and Bylaw as needed, and zoning approval is required. Licences run May 1 to April 30.

## Steps

1. Complete the Business Licence Application and submit it in person, by mail or by email to info@ucluelet.ca, with supporting documents and the $35 fee.
2. Wait for the review, which takes 10 to 15 working days or more.
3. Pay the licence fee after review. You can pay at the District office (cash, cheque or debit), by mail (cash or cheque), or by online banking.
4. The licence is mailed within 10 working days. Display it.
5. To renew, renewal forms are mailed in March or April. Payment is due by May 31, and a $100 penalty applies if it is not paid on or before June 1. Renew by online banking, cash, debit or cheque.

## Good to know

- You need a new application on a change of owner, address or premises use.
- Other examples of annual fees: unlicensed full-service restaurant $177; licensed restaurant $354; bank $354; hotel $177 plus $11.80 per room.
- A bylaw notice for having no valid business licence is $500 ($400 if paid early, $625 if late). Operating with an expired licence is $100, and not displaying your licence is $100.
- No inter-community business licence was found. The bylaw has a class for non-resident businesses only.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licences, District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-ucluelet/business-licences/)
- [Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026 (PDF)](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84288/2002%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Business%20Regulation%20_%20Licensing.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1186, 2016, 2025 consolidation (PDF)](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/77211/1186%20Bylaw%202016%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20-%20Consolidated%20-%202025%20-%20FINAL.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Tofino](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tofino/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)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/business-licence.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences, District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.ca/business-development/doing-business-in-ucluelet/business-licences/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 2002, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84288/2002%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Business%20Regulation%20_%20Licensing.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1186, 2016, unofficial 2025 consolidation (PDF), District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/77211/1186%20Bylaw%202016%20-%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20-%20Consolidated%20-%202025%20-%20FINAL.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2019, 2026 (PDF), District of Ucluelet](https://ucluelet.civicweb.net/filepro/document/84303/2019%20Bylaw,%202026%20-%20Bylaw%20Notice%20Enforcement%20Bylaw.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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Ucluelet. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ucluelet/business-licence/_