Business Licences

All businesses operating within Campbell River must hold a valid business licence. Exceptions apply only to businesses that are exempt under Provincial or Federal legislation, as well as nonprofit organizations certified under the Society Act. Business licences under this category still require a licence but are issued and renewed at no charge. Renewal notices are mailed out mid-January each year.

Business licences cost $150 per year, renewing on February 28 and expiring on February 27 of the following year. If your business closes, you must inform the City in writing before the February 27 expiry date to avoid additional billing. Operating without a valid business licence may result in fines of up to $200 per day. 

Seasonal business licences (six-months only) cost $75 per season. These licences do not automatically renew, and are limited to one licence per business per calendar year. Seasonal licences are only intended for businesses that typically operate only part of the year, such as farm stands or other seasonally dependent operations.

If you operate a business alongside another business of the same type at the same address, you may apply for a secondary licence at no charge (e.g., a restaurant operating a food truck from the same location).

Applying for a Business Licence

Complete all fields in the application form and email it to business.licence@campbellriver.ca. For questions or assistance, contact the City of Campbell River. 

Business Licence Application Form [PDF/240KB]

Once we receive your application, staff will review it to confirm the business is permitted and compliant with the Zoning Bylaw. Businesses that are not permitted at the proposed location cannot operate there.

The application is then reviewed by Building and Fire Inspectors. This may require an on-site inspection for commercial, industrial, or institutional locations; you will be notified if this is the case. Once their review is complete and endorsed, the application is forwarded to the Business Licence Inspector for final approval.

Some businesses require additional approvals before a licence can be issued, including:

• Restaurants, daycare centres and tattoo parlours require permits from the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
• Taxi services require a valid chauffeur licence.
• Food trucks must provide the documentation listed on page 2 of the business licence application form.

Any required external permits must be submitted with your application.

Once your application is received, an invoice for your new licence will be issued to you. If you apply for both primary and inter-community licences, both are invoiced and processed at the same time. An inter-community licence will only be issued after the primary licence is approved; final approval is granted once all fees are paid.

If you have businesses at more than one location, a separate licence is required for each location. A business licence is attached to the property, not the business. If you change locations, you will need to inform the City to update your information with the City and new building and fire inspections may be required.

Inter-Community Business Licences

The Inter-Community Business Licence (ICBL) program provides Campbell River–based businesses with the option to operate in participating jurisdictions across Central Vancouver Island under a single additional licence.

To be eligible, you must first hold a valid primary business licence issued by the City. The ICBL program streamlines the licensing process by allowing businesses to hold two licences instead of obtaining a separate licence in each participating municipality.

To apply, select the appropriate option on the Business Licence Application form [PDF/240KB]. The annual fee for an ICBL is $150.

This type of licence is available to mobile businesses only.

City of Campbell River Inter-Community Business Licences are valid in these Central Vancouver Island communities:

• City of Courtenay 
• City of Duncan
• City of Nanaimo
• City of Parksville
• City of Port Alberni
• District of North Cowichan
• District of Lantzville
• Town of Comox
• Town of Lake Cowichan
• Town of Ladysmith
• Town of Qualicum Beach
• Village of Cumberland

Inter-Community Business Licensing Bylaw [PDF/423KB]

Renewing a Business Licence 

• Online: by credit card using Business Licence Payment
• By mail: with a cheque
• In person: with a cheque, cash, credit card, or debit card

If you have a primary and inter-community licence, you must pay both invoices at the same time. Inter-community licences are not issued unless the primary licence has been paid.

Closing or Moving Your Business

If your business closes, you must notify the City in writing by emailing business.licence@campbellriver.ca. 

Since your licence is linked to the civic address you provided in your application, you must update your address if your business moves. Please email business.licence@campbellriver.ca to have your licence reviewed and reissued.