Business Licensing

We're open for business

We're excited to welcome your business to our growing Colwood community! As one of the fastest growing regions in British Columbia, Colwood is a great place to bring your new business idea, or expand your enterprise.

Submit your business license applications by email using our Online Business License Application. We will review and process licenses electronically.

If you need to make a change to an your existing business license please complete a Business License Change Form [PDF/143KB].

Not sure if you require a business license?

We'd love to talk with you about it. Contact us at 250-478-5999 or email to info@colwood.ca.

receptionist

Apply for a business license

Your application will be reviewed by our team and the Licensing Officer will be in touch.

Applications

You can complete this Business License Application online, then send it to us by email, fax or mail.

A Business License Application is reviewed by a number of departments (development services, engineering, bylaw, building, fire) before a business license can be issued. The Capital Regional District, and Provincial and Federal governments may also have additional requirements that must be met before a business can legally operate.

Please note: If you operate out of a commercial space, food truck, or if you are applying for a home based and/or an intermunicipal business license, you may need a fire inspection. The fire department will verify that you meet all applicable fire codes. To arrange an inspection, please call (250) 478-8321 and ask for the Prevention Division.  

Approval and a new application is required when the use of a business premise is changed, a property is developed, or building additions are undertaken, in order to ensure compliance with bylaws and regulations. 

Short Term Rentals

New Provincial Government legislation has indicated that short-term rental hosts must display a valid business license number on their platform/web listing in areas where a business license is required by the local government.

Currently the City of Colwood does not require a business license for short term rentals.  For information on short term rentals please visit New rules for short-term rentals - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca).

Changes to the Business License Bylaw

On June 22, 2020 Colwood Council adopted three new bylaws governing Business Licenses in the City of Colwood. The new business license bylaws are modernized and introduce the Inter-Community Business License. 

The Intermunicipal Business License Bylaw provides businesses the ability to operate within the Capital Regional District in 13 participating municipalities.

  1. City of Colwood
  2. District of Central Saanich
  3. Township of Esquimalt
  4. District of Highlands
  5. City of Langford
  6. District of Metchosin
  7. District of North Saanich
  8. District of Oak Bay
  9. District of Saanich
  10. Town of Sidney
  11. District of Sooke
  12. City of Victoria
  13. Town of View Royal

Currently there are 14 municipalities on Vancouver Island participating in the Inter-Community Business License program.

  1. City of Colwood
  2. District of Central Saanich
  3. City of Duncan
  4. Township of Esquimalt
  5. Town of Ladysmith
  6. Town of Lake Cowichan
  7. City of Nanaimo
  8. Municipality of North Cowichan
  9. District of North Saanich
  10. City of Parksville
  11. Town of Sidney
  12. District of Sooke
  13. City of Victoria
  14. Town of View Royal 

Please take a moment to review the new bylaws below:

Important Resources