Business Licensing

A Business Licence is required for anyone (resident or non-resident) who provides a service in North Cowichan for gain or profit, pursuant to our Business Licence Bylaw. If you have a business premise, your application must be made to the Municipality in which your premises is located.

Mobile Food Vendors

If operating a mobile food vending business, please visit our Mobile Food Service page.

Permitted Uses & Locations

Prior to the application process, if you would like to inquire regarding permitted uses for a specific location, as pursuant to our Zoning Bylaw, please contact Development Services.

Applying for a New Business Licence

Processing Business Licences generally take 2-3 weeks depending on the number of applications received and the need for approvals by other departments. 

The following is the process for applying for a Business Licence:

  • applicant submits the completed application;
  • review and approval;
  • invoice sent to applicant;
  • payment and licence issued

We recommend that you contact our office before signing any lease or purchase agreement, to receive your approval prior to making any commitment to a specific location.

Submit your Business Licence application:

By email:

Fill in the application form and email it to licensing@northcowichan.ca. Once your application is processed, staff will contact you to confirm payment options.  

In person:

North Cowichan Municipal Hall
7030 Trans Canada Hwy, North Cowichan

Fees

Yearly Licence Fee $100
Yearly Inter-Community Licence Fee $270
Late Fee (after February 28) $25
Pro-Rated Fee (after July 1) $50

 

 

 

 

Renewing your existing Business Licence

  • NEW! Do you have a MyMuni account? Click here to make a credit card payment through MyMuni.
  • NEW! Online Credit Card Payments click here
  • For other payment options click here.

Inter-Municipal Licensing

The Municipality of North Cowichan has entered into a co-operative agreement for business licences with the following organizations:

  • City of Duncan
  • Town of Ladysmith
  • Town of Lake Cowichan

This allows applicants to work in the co-operative areas with one valid business licence, rather than an individual licence for each area.

Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw

Mayor and Council passed Bylaw 3525 “Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw”. Effective January 1, 2014, a business that has a current, up-to-date licence is eligible to obtain an Inter-Community Licence that will allow them to carry on business within the participating areas for an additional fee of $170.00. Please contact our office at 250.746.3100 if you are a mobile business and would like to obtain more information.

Participating Areas:

City of Campbell River  City of Port Alberni
City of Courtenay Town of Comox
City of Nanaimo Town of Qualicum Beach
City of Parksville Village of Cumberland

If you currently hold an Inter-Municipal licence, which includes North Cowichan, City of Duncan, Town of Ladysmith and Town of Lake Cowichan, this does not affect your current licence.

Should you have any questions regarding the conducting of business within North Cowichan please contact our Business Licence Inspector at (250) 746-3100.

Get a Free Energy Consultation

Business Energy Advisors (BEA) helps business owners and managers identify energy-efficient opportunities and help you take advantage of those opportunities and available utility incentives that can eliminate energy waste and improve profitability.

Connect with BC Hydro Power Smart Business to request your free energy consultation now.

MyMuni

You can securely access all of your North Cowichan accounts online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.northcowichan.ca/MyMuni. View tax account information, water consumption, utility history, dog licences, and business licences. All you need is a copy of your bill for the account number you want to register and then create a profile to register your accounts.

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