Wondering how to get a mobile business licence? To operate a business in BC you are required to obtain a business licence in the municipality you are working in. Each municipality’s licence is set up in a different way. Some have resident and non-resident licences; others have licences broken down by business type.
The thing that remains the same is that you will only be licensed to do business in that municipality. If you intend to carry out business across multiple municipalities you will be required to obtain licences from each of those municipalities.
That is unless you own and operate your business in the one of the 15 regions in British Columbia which have a Mobile Business Licence.
What is a Mobile Business Licence?
The Mobile Business Licence allows businesses such as builders, decorators, caterers and those with mobile businesses to run their business across multiple municipalities and regional districts. Also known as an Inter-Community Business Licence or Inter-Municipal Business Licence. It’s intention is to help streamline and simplify the licensing process, reducing the cost for business owners and making it easier to do business in BC.
How the Mobile Business Licence Works?
Because each Mobile Licence Agreement has been created independently by the participating local governments, there is some variation on how the licence works across each of the participating areas. Variances include the types of businesses included and the price.
Typically, when purchasing a business licence from your local government, you will be offered the opportunity to purchase an additional Mobile Business Licence. This will allow you to operate in the municipalities and districts participating in the agreement.
Using Okanagan-Similkameen as an example, by purchasing your base licence and a companion Mobile Business Licence for an additional $150, you will be allowed legally work in all 19 municipalities and regional districts participating in the agreement. Without this agreement you would be required to go to all 19 communities separately and purchase 19 licences. That said, as each municipality could operate with different regulations and bylaws, so you will still be responsible for ensuring that you comply with those laws individually.
The Benefits of a Mobile Business Licence
- Reduces the cost and time of buying multiple licences.
- Saves you the burden of remembering to renew each licence, if purchased at different times.
- Simpler process gives less room for errors and non-compliance.
- Provides access to a larger target market, across more than one municipality.
- Allows consumers a greater choice of service providers and businesses, enabling your reputation to grow your business, no matter the location.
Where can I get a Mobile Business Licence?
The local governments participating in each of the agreements include:
- Central Vancouver Island Region ($150):
City of Campbell River
Town of Comox
City of Courtenay
Village of Cumberland
City of Duncan
Town of Lake Cowichan
Town of Ladysmith
City of Nanaimo
Municipality of North Cowichan
City of Parksville
City of Port Alberni
Town of Qualicum Beach - Metro West Region of Greater Vancouver ($250):
City of Burnaby
Corporation of Delta
City of New Westminster
City of Richmond
City of Surrey
City of Vancouver - Fraser Valley Area ($250):
City of Abbotsford
City of Chilliwack
Corporation of Delta
District of Hope
District of Kent
City of Langley
Township of Langley
District of Maple Ridge
District of Mission
City of Pitt Meadows
City of Surrey - Tri-Cities Area ($165):
City of Coquitlam
City of Port Coquitlam
City of Port Moody - Okanagan-Similkameen Area ($150):
City of Armstrong
Regional District of Central Okanagan
District of Coldstream
City of Enderby
City of Kelowna
Village of Keremeos
District of Lake Country
Village of Lumby
Town of Oliver
Town of Osoyoos
District of Peachland
City of Penticton
Town of Princeton
City of Salmon Arm
District of Sicamous
Township of Spallumcheen
District of Summerland
City of Vernon
District of West Kelowna - Greater Victoria Area ($100):
Corporation of the District of Central Saanich
City of Colwood
Corporation of the Township of Esquimalt
District of the Highlands
City of Langford
District of Metchosin
Corporation of the District of North Saanich
Corporation of the District of Oak Bay
Corporation of the District of Saanich
Town of Sidney
District of Sooke
Corporation of the City of Victoria
Town of View Royal - Trail Area ($180):
City of Trail
City of Rossland
Village of Warfield
Village of Montrose
Village of Fruitvale - Cowichan Lake Area ($150):
City of Duncan
District of North Cowichan
Town of Lake Cowichan
Town of Ladysmith - North/West Vancouver Area ($60):
City of North Vancouver
District of North Vancouver
District of West Vancouver - Courtenay/Comox Area ($150):
City of Courtenay
Town of Comox - Sunshine Coast Area ($50):
Town of Gibsons
District of Sechelt
shíshálh Nation (joined in 2016) - Kimberley/Cranbrook Area ($75):
The City of Kimberley
The City of Cranbrook - West Kootenay Area ($85): *NEW in 2017*
The City of Rossland
The City of Nelson
The Village of Kaslo
The Town of Creston
The City of Castlegar - Elk Valley Area ( $100):
The City of Fernie
The District of Sparwood
The District of Elkford - Northeast Area ($130): *NEW in 2017*
The City of Dawson Creek
The City of Fort St.John
The District of Hudson’s Hope
The District of Tumbler Ridge
The Village of Pouce Coupe
The District of Chetwynd
How to Apply for a Mobile Business Licence
Mobile Business Licences can be purchased from the participating city halls listed above. Before going to apply for your licence you must ensure you have the following information:
- Business name, address and phone number
- Start date of your business
- Type of business (commercial, industrial, home based, other)
- Total floor area of business (for farms, this does not include total acreage)
- List of municipalities in which your business will operate
Please note that depending on the area in which you apply for the licence, applications can take up to two weeks to process and approve.
How Do I Get a Mobile License in My Community?
The Small Business Branch is working in partnership with local governments, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and key stakeholders, including the Small Business Roundtable, expanding existing agreements and establishing new Mobile Business Licence agreements in British Columbia. However, they need your help.
If your business would benefit from a Mobile Business Licence but you do not have an agreement in your region, speak to your local municipality and ask them to investigate it. The more requests and interest that they receive, the more notice they’ll take.
Here to Help
No matter what stage of business, or what problem you face, Small Business BC offers a range of seminars and one-on-one advisory sessions to suit any business.