People walking down the street

Get a business licence

Processing of applications

Access to the Business Licence Office is by appointment only. Walk-in service and drop-in appointments are not available.

To help process your applications more quickly, we have moved to a digital approach for applications, enquiries, and payments:

  • Submit your business licence application by mail or email 
  • Renew your business licence online
  • Customer enquiries, contact us online

Processing times are currently delayed. We will contact you with questions or next steps once we have processed your request.

Get support for your local business

All businesses in Vancouver require a licence to operate. This ensures that all business locations are safe and meet land-use requirements.

Business owners are required to get a business licence, but not employees.

What's happening We're streamlining the business licence application process

Effective April 1, 2024: We are streamlining nearly 600 different licensing types into 88.

Businesses with existing licensing will:

  • Be automatically transferred into their new licence type
  • See it reflected on their 2025 licence

Learn more about this change (496 KB)

Steps to getting a business licence

Contact the Licence Office

Contact us online

Location
Appointment required
Development and Building Services Centre
Ground Floor
515 West 10th Avenue

Mailing address
Revenue Services
PO Box 7878
Vancouver, BC V6B 4E2

Starting or expanding a small business

Key resources to to help you start or expand your business in Vancouver.