In B.C., your business licence comes from your local government or First Nation, not the province. Most local governments require one to operate, and if you work across several towns you may be able to get a single mobile business licence through one of 17 partnerships covering 104 communities.
That's the part people get wrong: they search for a provincial BC business licence and can't find one, because it doesn't exist. Registering your business name with the province is a separate step. Here's how licensing works, what a mobile licence saves you, and the other permits that often come with it.
Who issues what
| Level | What it issues | Examples from the B.C. Government |
|---|---|---|
| Local government or First Nation | Business licence and local permits | Business licence, sidewalk patio permit, development permit, building permit |
| Regional health authority | Health permits | Health Operating Permit for food service businesses |
| Province | Sector licences | Liquor licence or permit |
| Federal | Federal permits | Found through BizPaL |
The B.C. Government's advice is to contact your local government or First Nation to learn which licences and permits apply in your area, and to use BizPaL to find permits from every level of government. Start early: the application process can take time to complete and get approval.
Why it's a local licence
Under the Community Charter, municipalities may regulate businesses by bylaw and may require them to hold a business licence. Regional districts have parallel powers under the Local Government Act. A municipality can also suspend or cancel a licence, after a hearing, if a business doesn't comply with the licence's terms.
There's a limit worth knowing. The province's guidance says regulating a business is different from prohibiting it: a municipality generally can't ban a business outright through its licensing power, although zoning can restrict where certain businesses operate. If your licence is refused by delegated staff, you can ask council to reconsider.
The mobile business licence
This is the insight that saves trades and mobile businesses the most. If you work across several communities, you may not need a separate licence for each one. Mobile business licences, also called inter-community or inter-municipal business licences, let eligible businesses operate across all the communities in a partnership.
- There are 17 mobile business licence partnerships between 104 communities in B.C.
- You apply through a participating local government, not the province.
- Each partnership decides which business types are eligible and what it costs.
- There's no province-wide mobile licence.
The B.C. Government's own example is a construction business licensed by the City of Victoria that uses the Greater Victoria Inter-Municipal Business Licence to work in 13 participating communities, including Saanich and Langford. It pays less than it would for a licence in each community and applies once.
Permits that often come with the licence
- Building, electrical, plumbing or gas permits before any structural or installation work, followed by an inspection.
- Plan approvals from the health authority, the fire department and the local government on occupancy.
- A Health Operating Permit from your regional health authority if you serve food.
- A liquor licence or permit from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch if you serve, sell or produce alcohol.
- Local permits such as a street food vending permit, sidewalk patio permit, heritage alteration permit or grease interceptor permit.
Before you sign a lease
Licensing and premises go together. The B.C. Government says you may need floor plan or construction plan approvals from the health authority, the fire department and the local government before your licence is granted, and any structural change needs a building permit before work starts, with an inspection afterwards. Zoning can also restrict which types of business may operate in a given area. So the order matters: check zoning and permit needs for the exact address, then commit to the space. A lease signed first can leave you paying rent on a unit your business can't legally open in.
How to get your BC business licence
- Register your business name with the province if you're not trading under your own name. My guide on how to register a business in BC covers that step.
- Run a BizPaL search for your location and business type.
- Contact your local government or First Nation for its business licence application and any zoning checks.
- Ask whether it's part of a mobile business licence partnership if you work in other towns.
- Apply for health, liquor or building permits at the same time so they don't hold up opening.
Once you're licensed, check whether you need to register for PST in B.C. before your first sale.
My verdict
Stop looking for a provincial BC business licence: call your city hall or First Nation instead. If you travel for work, ask about the mobile licence before you pay for three separate ones, and get any food, liquor or building permits moving in parallel.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a business licence in BC?
Usually. The B.C. Government says most local governments require a business licence to operate, so check with your local government or First Nation.
Who issues business licences in British Columbia?
Local governments and First Nations issue business licences. The province issues some sector licences, such as liquor licences, but not a general business licence.
What is a mobile business licence in BC?
It's a licence that lets an eligible business work across all the communities in a partnership. There are 17 partnerships covering 104 communities, and you apply through a participating local government.
Can I get a province-wide business licence in BC?
No. The B.C. Government says a mobile business licence for the entire province isn't available, and the province doesn't issue mobile business licences.
Is registering a business the same as a business licence in BC?
No. Registering your business name is a provincial step, while the business licence comes from your local government or First Nation.
Do food businesses need extra permits in BC?
Yes. All food service businesses in B.C. must have a valid Health Operating Permit issued by their regional health authority.
Can a mobile business licence save me fees?
It can. The B.C. Government says a mobile business licence costs less than the total of a separate licence in each community, and you only apply once. Eligibility and costs vary by partnership.
Can a BC municipality cancel my business licence?
Yes. A municipality may suspend or cancel a business licence for failure to comply with its terms, following a hearing.
