---
title: "White Rock business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply"
question: "Do I need a business licence in White Rock, and how do I get one?"
place: White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/white-rock
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of White Rock
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/business-licence/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/business-licence.json"
---

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

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

**Short answer:** Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the City of White Rock needs a valid City business licence: any activity for gain or profit, including professional or personal services, registered not-for-profits and residential rentals. Apply online through the MyWhiteRock portal; the licence is emailed once approved.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of White Rock, https://www.whiterockcity.ca)  
**Cost:** Set by group in Schedule A of Business Licence Bylaw 1510, per licence period: Group 1 $320 plus $25 per employee; Group 2 $150 plus $25; Group 3 $105 plus $25; Group 5 (any business not named elsewhere) $150 plus $25 per employee; Group 4 has flat fees. These are from the April 2020 consolidation; no newer schedule was found.  
**How long:** The City does not state a processing time. A licence lasts one year and expires on the anniversary of the day it was issued.  
**Where:**
- Online: MyWhiteRock business licence portal, https://my.whiterockcity.ca/TempestApps/LoginManager/
- Phone: Business Licence, 604-541-2139
- Email: Business Licence (also books inspections), licences@whiterockcity.ca
- In person: City Hall, 15322 Buena Vista Avenue, White Rock, BC V4B 1Y6 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Who needs one:** Anyone carrying on a business in White Rock needs a valid licence: any activity for gain or profit, including professional or personal services, registered not-for-profits and residential rentals. Exempt: letting a room where not more than two rooms are available, and some non-resident businesses (such as commercial travellers selling to merchants for resale).
  - Source: [Business Licences and Permits, When do you need](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/901/Business-Licences-Permits)
  - Official wording: "If you are doing an activity of any kind or nature that is for the purpose of gain or profit" … "including but not limited to: providing professional, personal or other services, registered not for profits, or residential rentals"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 2](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "No person shall carry on a business within the City of White Rock without holding a"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 5(b)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "No licence is required for the business of letting or renting a room where not"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 4(a)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Bona Fide, Commercial travelers offering for sale or selling goods, wares or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Set by group in Schedule A of the Business Licence Bylaw, per licence period: Group 1 (e.g. professionals) $320 plus $25 per employee; Group 2 $150 plus $25; Group 3 $105 plus $25; Group 5 (any business not named elsewhere) $150 plus $25 per employee. Group 4 has flat fees. 10% discount if paid before the licence period starts.
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Sch. A Group 1](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "the fee for each licence period shall be $320.00 plus $25.00 for each"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Sch. A Group 2](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "For the following, the fee for each licence period shall be $150.00 plus $25.00 for each employee."
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Sch. A Group 3](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "the fee for each licence shall be $105.00 plus $25.00 for each employee."
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Sch. A Group 5](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "The fee for each licence period shall be: $150.00 plus $25.00 for each employee."
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 9(b)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "they will receive a 10% discount on that business licence"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **How to apply:** Apply online through the MyWhiteRock portal. First check that the Zoning Bylaw allows your business at the location; a building permit may be needed first. Staff review the application, and a Fire Department and Building Official inspection may be required. Once approved, the licence is emailed.
  - Source: [Business Licences and Permits, How do you obtain](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/901/Business-Licences-Permits)
  - Official wording: "The City of White Rock, through the MyWhiteRock has an online portal for submitting your business licence application." … "an inspection may be required from White Rock Fire Department and a City Building Official" … "Once your business licence has been approved, it will be emailed directly to you."
  - Source: [Inspections - Business Licence](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1050/Inspections---Business-Licence)
  - Official wording: "If you have submitted a completed business licence application and are looking to book an inspection, please email licences@whiterockcity.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Renewal:** Licences last one year and expire on the anniversary of the day issued. Renew annually through MyWhiteRock; notices go out a month before. Renewing before the anniversary gives a 10% discount. A licence not renewed by the anniversary expires.
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 8(a)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "are valid for one (1) year and will expire on the same day"
  - Source: [Business Licences and Permits, Renewals](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/901/Business-Licences-Permits)
  - Official wording: "Notices for renewals are sent out a month in advance of your anniversary date" … "If you do not renew your business licence on or before the anniversary date the business licence will expire."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Inter-community licence:** Only for transportation network services (ride-hailing): White Rock has an intermunicipal TNS business licence bylaw, and a TNS business holding an Inter-Municipal Business Licence for the Region 1 area is exempt from White Rock's licence. No general inter-community licence found.
  - Source: [Bylaws, Bylaws list](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/177/Bylaws)
  - Official wording: "Intermunicipal Transportation Network Service (TNS) Business Licence Bylaw 2473"
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), s. 4(b)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Any Transportation Network Services business that is in receipt of an Inter-"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** $200 per day for operating without a business licence; $150 for failing to display the licence; $500 per day for operating while the licence is suspended (ticket under the Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw).
  - Source: [Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw 1929 (PDF, consolidated November 2024), Schedule B2](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2072/Consolidated---Ticketing-for-Bylaw-Offences-2011-No-1929-PDF)
  - Official wording: "Operate without a business licence Sec. 2 $200 per day" … "Failure to display business licence Sec. 10 $150.00" … "Operate business while licence is under suspension Sec 16 $500.00 per day"
  - Source: [Business Licences and Permits, Renewals](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/901/Business-Licences-Permits)
  - Official wording: "Operating a business without a valid licence may result in a fine of $200 per day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** White Rock Business Licence Bylaw, 1997, No. 1510
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), Title](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)
  - Official wording: "White Rock Business Licence By-law, 1997, No. 1510" … "Consolidated as of April 2020"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [Business Licence Bylaw 1510](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF), anyone carrying on a business in White Rock needs a valid licence. Exempt: letting a room where not more than two rooms are available, and some non-resident businesses, such as commercial travellers selling to merchants for resale. The bylaw has further exemptions (sections 4 and 5).

## Steps

1. Check that the Zoning Bylaw allows your business at the location. A building permit may be needed first.
2. Apply online through the MyWhiteRock portal.
3. Staff review the application. A Fire Department and Building Official inspection may be required. Email licences@whiterockcity.ca to book one. Inspections are scheduled Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings, and the business must be set up first.
4. Once approved, the licence is emailed to you.
5. Renew each year through MyWhiteRock. Notices go out a month before.

## Good to know

- Renewing before the anniversary, or paying before the licence period starts, earns a 10% discount. A licence not renewed by the anniversary expires.
- The fee schedule is from the April 2020 consolidation of Bylaw 1510 and may be out of date. Ask the Business Licence office, 604-541-2139, for current fees.
- Inter-community licence: the only one found covers transportation network services (ride-hailing). A business holding an Inter-Municipal Business Licence for the Region 1 area is exempt from White Rock's licence. No general inter-community licence was found.
- Tickets under Bylaw 1929: operating without a licence is $200 per day; failing to display the licence is $150; operating while the licence is suspended is $500 per day. Bylaw 1510 still shows an older $75 notice, so confirm the current amount.

## What you'll need

- A floor plan of the business
- A trade qualification ticket, if you are a licensed contractor

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licences and Permits page](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/901/Business-Licences-Permits)
- [Business Licence Inspections](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1050/Inspections---Business-Licence)
- [Business License Bylaw 1510 (PDF)](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF)

## Related questions

- [White Rock home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/home-based-business.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Business licence fees in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/business-licence.md)
- [Surrey](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/business-licence.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/business-licence.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/business-licence.md)
- [Delta](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/delta/business-licence.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/business-licence.md)
- [Burnaby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/business-licence.md)

## Sources

- [Business Licences and Permits, City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/901/Business-Licences-Permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Inspections - Business Licence, City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/1050/Inspections---Business-Licence) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaws, City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/177/Bylaws) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business License Bylaw 1997, No. 1510 (PDF, consolidated April 2020), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/272/Consolidated---Business-License-Bylaw-1997-Number-1510-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw 1929 (PDF, consolidated November 2024), City of White Rock](https://www.whiterockcity.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2072/Consolidated---Ticketing-for-Bylaw-Offences-2011-No-1929-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of White Rock. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/business-licence/_