You need a business licence to conduct business within the City. This includes businesses which are:
- new or temporary
- commercial or industrial
- home-based
- in a new location or under new owners
- in multiple locations (i.e. a licence for each location is required)
- non-profit
- located outside of the City
Fees for business licences vary by the type of business. Please review the Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (Schedule B) for specifics.
Business licences expire one year from the date the licence is issued. Automatic renewal notices are sent to each business owner.
Why Business Licences Are Required
A business licence is a permit issued by a government agency to operate or conduct business in an area.
The City issues business licences to ensure local businesses are operating safely and legally, including complying with zoning requirements and health and safety regulations.
Benefits for business owners include:
- Bringing credibility to your business
- Allowing you to take advantage of City programs and services
- Meeting requirements for insurance and grants
- Avoiding a significant City fine for not operating with a valid business licence
Apply for a Business Licence
Apply using the Business License Application (note: new business accounts that are completing an application are subject to a $51.20 Application Fee).
Apply & Submit
- Complete your Business License Application. This is a very detailed form, and you'll need to know specifics such as:
There may be additional steps required in the case of any of the following:
- Home office - if you're operating from a home in the City, with no staff on the premises, no sale or retail, using only standard office equipment, you'll need to complete the Accessory Home Office Use Confirmation of Compliance within the application.
- Different applicant and owner - If the applicant isn't the business owner, complete the Business Licence Authorization Letter for Representative and include it with your Business Licence Application.
- Food truck - Food Trucks have additional criteria which apply to their operation. Visit Food Trucks and Food Carts for details.
Note that outdoor patio approval is separate from the licencing process - learn more at Outdoor Dining.
- After completion, submit your completed document(s) either by email to gateway@cnv.org, or stop by City Hall and place in one of our exterior drop boxes.
Approval Process
- Once the application has been processed, the application will be reviewed internally.
- As part of the review, the file may be reviewed by the Planning Department to determine if the proposed business use is permitted at the address.
- The business may be requested to complete inspections which may include Building, Electrical, Plumbing/Gas, and Fire Inspection and, if appropriate, inspection by Vancouver Coastal Health. Learn more at:
- If all inspections pass, you'll be sent a Business Licence invoice for payment.
- Once payment has been completed you'll receive your Business Licence.
Pay & Renew Online
You can pay and renew online using CityServe, our online service centre. CityServe also allows you to check the status of your application.
In order to pay or renew you'll need to log into your account or create one. We recommend that businesses create CityServe accounts using a generic email address (e.g. info@..., accounting@..., etc.) to easily manage and control access to their CityServe account as staff change.
To proceed click the button below to launch CityServe.
The information on this form is collected under the authority of "Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640" and will be used only for the purposes related to this bylaw. Information printed on the issued licence is a public record. Other personal information identifying the applicant or owner(s) not printed on the licence is protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Print Your Business Licence
Our online service centre allows you to print your business licence from CityServe. Note: for a renewal licence, the new licence will be available to print after the current business licence has expired.
To print your Business Licence, follow these steps:
- Click into ‘My Projects’
- Click into ‘View Details’
- Click into ‘View Documents’
- A PDF of your Business Licence will open - click to print as usual.
Renew a Business Licence
Business licences expire one year from the date the licence is issued. Automatic renewal notices are sent to each business owner.
Before submitting your payment, please review your current licence to ensure information is accurate and current (e.g. contact information, number of staff). If information needs updating, please contact us using the information below before paying for your business licence renewal.
Pay & Renew Online
You can pay and renew online using CityServe, our online service centre.
The information on this form is collected under the authority of "Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640" and will be used only for the purposes related to this bylaw. Information printed on the issued licence is a public record. Other personal information identifying the applicant or owner(s) not printed on the licence is protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Print Your Business Licence
Our online service centre allows you to print your business licence from CityServe. Note: for a renewal licence, the new licence will be available to print after the current business licence has expired.
To print your Business Licence, follow these steps:
- Click into ‘My Projects’
- Click into ‘View Details’
- Click into ‘View Documents’
- A PDF of your Business Licence will open - click to print as usual.
Inter-Municipal Business Licences
If you're a contractor with a business located on the North Shore, you may qualify for an
inter-municipal business licence.
An inter-municipal business licence allows you to work in the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and the District of West Vancouver using the same licence for an additional $60 fee. Learn more in the Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw No.7350.
How to Apply For a Licence
Review our list of qualifying business types. If your business appears on the list, you're eligible to get an inter-municipal licence. You can apply for your licence at the Business Licencing Counter at City Hall.
If you didn't apply for an inter-municipal licence when you applied for your business licence, and you're eligible, contact us to have it included in your licence.
Current Inter-Municipal Business Licence Holders
The list of current licence-holders is updated every June and December.
>> View Current Inter-Municipal Business Licence Holders