{"title":"View Royal business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","question":"Do I need a business licence in View Royal, and how do I get one?","slug":"business-licence","place":{"path":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","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":"Town of View Royal","url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. The Town of View Royal requires a business licence for every business operating in the Town, whether run from a shop, a home or on the road. Fill in the application form and bring it with the fee to Town Hall, 45 View Royal Avenue. Fees run from $50 to $2,000 a year by type.","aliases":["business license view royal","apply for business licence view royal","home business licence view royal","non-resident business licence"],"cost":"Annual fees: Home Crafts $50; Home Occupation, Bed & Breakfast, Commercial Small (under 464 m2), Intermunicipal and Non-Resident $100; Commercial Large (464 m2 and over) $200; Intercommunity $170; Liquor Sales $300; Pub $500; Apartments $15 per unit (minimum $100); Retail Cannabis $1,500; Drug Paraphernalia $2,000. Non-profits pay no fee. Half fee if liable after June 30.","how_long":"The Town's pages do not say how long approval takes. Licences run January 1 to December 31.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"45 View Royal Avenue, Victoria, BC V9B 1A6"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business licensing","value":"250-727-7903"},{"type":"email","label":"Business licensing","value":"businesslicences@viewroyal.ca"}],"documents":["Completed Business Licence Application Form","Application fee (cash, cheque, debit or credit)","Any supplemental documents or permit applications that apply to your licence type, such as a parking plan","A physical business address where the owner or operator can be reached directly (not a P.O. box or storage unit)","Proof of trade qualification, if your occupation falls under trade jurisdiction"],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licence Application Form (PDF)","url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Documents-Forms/Business~Licencing/Business%20Licence%20Application%20Form.pdf"},{"title":"Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 952 (PDF)","url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"home-based-business","title":"View Royal home-based business rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/home-based-business/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/saanich","name":"Saanich","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/business-licence/"},{"place":"ca/bc/highlands","name":"Highlands","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/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 operating in View Royal needs a licence, whether run from a shop, a home or on the road. A non-resident business working in the Town needs a non-resident licence unless it holds a valid Greater Victoria Intermunicipal or Vancouver Island Intercommunity licence. Each premises, and each business at one premises, needs its own licence. Non-profits pay no fee.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences.html","title":"Business Licences, Town of View Royal","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["A valid business licence is required for all businesses operating in View Royal.","and does not have a valid Greater Victoria Intermunicipal Licence or a Vancouver Island Intercommunity Licence. A non-resident business licence is required."]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf","title":"Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952 (PDF)","section":"ss. 14(1), 14(2), 14(4)","quotes":["No person shall carry on a business within the Town of View Royal without first obtaining a Town of View Royal Business License","shall be deemed to be a separate business.","Any person who carries on more than one business from any one premise shall"]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/licence-fees.html","title":"Annual Business Licence Fees, Town of View Royal","section":"Annual Business Licence Fees","quotes":["Application fees are due when you deposit your application with the Town. If applying for your business licence after July 1, the fee is prorated to half for the remainder of the calendar year. Licences are valid for the calendar year January 1 to December 31 regardless of application date. | Licence Type: | Fee: | Non-Profit | No fee | Home Crafts | $50.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fee":{"label":"Fee","value":"Annual fees: Home Crafts $50; Home Occupation, Bed & Breakfast, Commercial Small (under 464 m²), Intermunicipal and Non-Resident $100; Commercial Large (464 m² and over) $200; Intercommunity $170; Liquor Sales $300; Pub $500; Apartments $15 per unit (minimum $100); Retail Cannabis $1,500; Drug Paraphernalia $2,000. Half fee if liable after June 30.","short":"By type: $100 for most; Commercial Large $200","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/958%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20Sept%202026.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Business Licence","quotes":["Home Crafts $50.00","Commercial – large $200.00","Intercommunity $170.00","$15 per unit Apartments (minimum $100)","Liquor sales $300.00","Retail Cannabis Store $1,500.00"]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/licence-fees.html","title":"Annual Business Licence Fees, Town of View Royal","section":"Annual Business Licence Fees","quotes":["Commercial Large | $200.00","Late Renewal Fee | 10% of the licence fee (min $25.00)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"how_to_apply":{"label":"How to apply","value":"Complete the Business Licence Application Form and bring it with the fee (cash, cheque, debit or credit) to Town Hall, 45 View Royal Avenue. The business needs a physical address, not a P.O. box or storage unit. Depending on the licence, a parking plan and permit applications may be needed, and the zone must allow the use.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences.html","title":"Business Licences, Town of View Royal","section":"Apply for a Business Licence","quotes":["Bring the completed forms, along with your payment (cash/cheque/debit/credit), into Town Hall (45 View Royal Ave).","An application with a business location using a post office box or storage unit will not be accepted.","Depending on the type of licence you are applying for, you may also be required to submit supplemental documents (eg. parking plan) and permit applications.","Not all business activities are permitted on all properties."]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf","title":"Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952 (PDF)","section":"s. 11(1)-(2)","quotes":["The License Inspector may grant a Business License when satisfied that the","applicant has complied with the requirements of this and all other applicable"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"renewal":{"label":"Renewal","value":"Licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal notices go out each November; payment is due by January 31. A late fee of 10% of the licence fee (minimum $25) applies from February 1. Pay in person at Town Hall, or online by credit card once registered for the Town's Online Services.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences.html","title":"Business Licences, Town of View Royal","section":"Renew a Business Licence","quotes":["Business licences are valid for the calendar year January 1 to December 31 regardless of application date.","Licence renewals are sent out each year in November. Renewal payments are due no later than January 31 of the renewal year.","ONLINE: once registered for Online Services, renewals can be paid online by credit card."]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/licence-fees.html","title":"Annual Business Licence Fees, Town of View Royal","section":"Annual Business Licence Fees","quotes":["Late Renewal Fee | 10% of the licence fee (min $25.00)"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"inter_community":{"label":"Inter-community licence","value":"Yes. A Vancouver Island Intercommunity licence ($170) covers a business working in the participating Vancouver Island municipalities. A Greater Victoria Intermunicipal licence ($100) covers a business working only within Greater Victoria municipalities (Sooke to Sidney). A business with a premises in View Royal also needs the Town's own licence.","short":"Yes, $170 Island; $100 Greater Victoria","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences.html","title":"Business Licences, Town of View Royal","section":"Mobile Business Licences","quotes":["A business that operates at locations only within municipalities within Greater Victoria. (Sooke to Sidney)","A business that operates at locations within the participating municipalities on Vancouver Island."]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/958%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20Sept%202026.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Business Licence","quotes":["As per Bylaw No. 952. Intermunicipal $100.00 As per Bylaw No. 952 Intercommunity $170.00 As per Bylaw No. 952","Intermunicipal $100.00 As per Bylaw No. 952 Intercommunity $170.00 As per Bylaw No. 952 Business Licence $15 per unit"]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf","title":"Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952 (PDF)","section":"s. 14(3)","quotes":["also provides services within other municipalities, this business must obtain a business license for its premises and an intermunicipal business license."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket $100 for carrying on business without a licence. The Town says businesses operating without a licence are fined no less than $100 a day until licensed. On conviction the bylaw fine is $500 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.","short":"Ticket $100","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/643%20MTI%20Bylaw%20No.%20643,%202007%20-%20May%202026.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 643 (PDF, to May 2026)","section":"Schedule 11","quotes":["Failure to obtain business license 14(1) $100."]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences.html","title":"Business Licences, Town of View Royal","section":"Fines for Operating Without a Licence","quotes":["Businesses found to be operating without a valid business licence will be fined no less than $100.00/day until such time as the licence is obtained or business activities cease."]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf","title":"Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952 (PDF)","section":"s. 32(2)","quotes":["a fine of not less than $500.00 and not more than $10,000.00."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952, 2016 (fees are set in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf","title":"Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as the “Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952,","2016”."]},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/958%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20Sept%202026.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A","quotes":["FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW NO. 958"]}],"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 and Regulation Bylaw 952](https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf), no one may carry on a business in View Royal without a Town licence. Each premises, and each business at one premises, needs its own licence. Zoning decides whether your activity is allowed at your address. Fees are set in Fees and Charges Bylaw 958.\n\nA non-resident business working in the Town needs a non-resident licence ($100) unless it holds a valid Greater Victoria Intermunicipal licence ($100) or a Vancouver Island Intercommunity licence ($170). Intermunicipal covers a business working only in Greater Victoria municipalities (Sooke to Sidney). Intercommunity covers participating Vancouver Island municipalities; see the Town's page for the current list. A business with premises in View Royal also needs the Town's own licence.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your property's zone on the Zoning Map and confirm your business use is permitted there.\n2. Pick your licence type: commercial, home occupation, mobile or non-resident.\n3. Complete the Business Licence Application Form.\n4. Bring the form and the fee to Town Hall, with any supplemental documents or permit applications your licence type needs.\n5. Display the licence prominently (bylaw s. 19).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Renewals: licences run January 1 to December 31. Renewal notices go out each November, and payment is due by January 31. A late fee of 10% of the licence fee (minimum $25) applies from February 1. Pay in person at Town Hall, or online by credit card once registered for the Town's Online Services.\n- Changing the name or address on a licence is $10. A transfer of place of business is $10. Moving premises needs an application to transfer.\n- The bylaw also requires an occupancy permit before you use a new or remodelled premises.\n- Fines: a municipal ticket for carrying on business without a licence is $100. The Town's page says unlicensed businesses are fined no less than $100 a day until licensed. On conviction, the fine is $500 to $10,000, and each day is a separate offence.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences.html","title":"Business Licences, Town of View Royal","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/business/business-licences/licence-fees.html","title":"Annual Business Licence Fees, Town of View Royal","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/952%20Business%20License%20and%20Regulation%20Bylaw%20consolidated%20to%20January%202017-.pdf","title":"Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/958%20Fees%20and%20Charges%20Bylaw%20-%20Consolidated%20to%20Sept%202026.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/643%20MTI%20Bylaw%20No.%20643,%202007%20-%20May%202026.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 643 (PDF, to May 2026)","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/view-royal/business-licence/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/business-licence.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/business-licence.json"}}