---
title: "Vancouver business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in Vancouver, and how do I get one?"
place: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/vancouver
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Vancouver
sources_read: 2026-11-09
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/business-licence.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** Vancouver requires businesses to hold a licence. Start on the City’s application page, choose your business type and follow its specific steps. If you apply online, you can track progress through your account.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Vancouver, https://vancouver.ca)  
**Cost:** The one-time application fee is $77 and is non-refundable. An annual licence fee also applies and varies by category under Schedule A.  
**How long:** Licences expire December 31. In November, the City sends the renewal notice by email or mail. Update your licence information before renewing.  
**Where:**
- Phone: City Hall, 311

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Vancouver requires businesses to hold a licence.
  - Source: [Apply for a business licence, Manage your licence](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/get-a-business-licence.aspx)
  - Official wording: "All businesses in Vancouver require a licence to operate. This makes sure every business location is safe and follows land-use requirements."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fee:** The one-time application fee is $77 and is non-refundable. An annual licence fee also applies and varies by category under Schedule A.
  - Source: [Apply for a business licence, Step 6, pay fees](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/get-a-business-licence.aspx)
  - Official wording: "* ### Step 6: Pay fees After we review your application, we will send you a bill to pay your fees. * One-time application fee: $77 (non-refundable) * Annual licence fee: The amount depends on the business type. To view the licence fees, review Schedule A of the Licence By-law PDF file (380 KB). The annual licence fee for the first year will be pro-rated based on the business start date."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **How to apply:** Apply once per business. For commercial, industrial and out-of-town businesses, apply online or mail the application and required documents.
  - Source: [Apply for a business licence, Application process for commercial, industrial and out-of-town businesses](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/get-a-business-licence.aspx)
  - Official wording: "Note Apply only once for each business to avoid delays. #### Commercial, industrial, and out-of-town business Apply online Apply online and track your application progress or fill out the Application Form PDF file (242 KB) and mail the form and required documents to our mailing address."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Renewal:** Licences expire December 31. In November, the City sends the renewal notice by email or mail. Update your licence information before renewing.
  - Source: [Renew your business licence | City of Vancouver](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/renew-your-business-licence.aspx)
  - Official wording: "* Close your account * Get a copy of your business licence * Transfer your licence * Update your account Note Your business licence expires on December 31 each year. Renewal notices are sent out in November by email or mail. ## Steps to renewing your business licence" … "Before you renew, check and update your licence information. Help us keep accurate records and be sure your business follows zoning and licence rules: * Update your business licence account if you changed your business name, trade name, address, or licence type * Report your new phone number or email address at the time you renew your business licence account"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Inter-community licence:** The City lists the Metro West inter-municipal business licence for trades and construction. Check eligibility for your activity and participating municipality.
  - Source: [Apply for a business licence, Business categories, trades and construction](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/get-a-business-licence.aspx)
  - Official wording: "* Bed and breakfast * Short-term rental * Soliciting for charity * Special event (concerts, exhibitions, and shows) * Trades and construction (Metro West inter-municipal business licence or IMBL) * Urban farm"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09
- **Fine:** Not confirmed. Checked Apply for a business licence, Licence By-law No. 4450; not found there.
- **Bylaw:** Vancouver Licence By-law No. 4450.
  - Source: [Licence By-law No. 4450, Cover and section 1, short title](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/4450c.PDF)
  - Official wording: "CITY OF VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA LICENCE BY-LAW NO. 4450 This by-law is printed under and by authority of the Council of the City of Vancouver (Consolidated for convenience only" … "1. This by-law may be cited as the "Licence By-law"."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-09

## How it works

Identify the operator, business location and type of work before applying. If you work from home, at client sites or from several premises, describe each arrangement so the licensing office can identify the correct category. The one-time application fee is $77 and is non-refundable. An annual licence fee also applies and varies by category under Schedule A.

## Steps

1. Start your local enquiry with [Apply for a business licence](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/get-a-business-licence.aspx). Gather the business name, contact details and address where the work will take place. Look up the licence category that describes what customers will receive.
2. Check the local application instructions for approvals or documents specific to that activity. If you travel to other municipalities, ask which locations your licence covers.
3. Apply once per business. For commercial, industrial and out-of-town businesses, apply online or mail the application and required documents.

## Good to know

- Licences expire December 31. In November, the City sends the renewal notice by email or mail. Update your licence information before renewing.
- The City lists the Metro West inter-municipal business licence for trades and construction. Check eligibility for your activity and participating municipality.
- Keep the licence record and any renewal notice together. When changing address or adding an activity, give the licensing office the new details before assuming the same category still applies.
- For a question about the activity, business address and licence category, call City Hall at 311.
- Read the applicable provisions in [Licence By-law No. 4450 (PDF)](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/4450c.PDF).

## Official forms and pages

- [Apply for a business licence](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/get-a-business-licence.aspx)

## Related questions

- [Vancouver short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/short-term-rental.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Richmond](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/richmond/business-licence.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/business-licence.md)
- [North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver/business-licence.md)
- [District of North Vancouver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/business-licence.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/business-licence.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Apply for a business licence](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/get-a-business-licence.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Get a home-based business licence](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/home-based-business.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Renew your business licence | City of Vancouver](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/renew-your-business-licence.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Licence By-law No. 4450 (PDF)](https://bylaws.vancouver.ca/4450c.PDF) (read 2026-11-09)
- [Vancouver municipal office contact information](https://vancouver.ca/your-government/contact-the-city-of-vancouver.aspx) (read 2026-11-09)

_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 City of Vancouver. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vancouver/business-licence/_