Business Licence Application

A Business Licence is required if you plan to carry out business within the City of Courtenay.

CLICK HERE to submit a Business Licence Application.

Please note that the City of Courtenay only accepts digital applications using the link provided above. Emails and other formats will not be accepted.  

The processing time varies based on the type of licence and approvals required. Please allow a minimum of 2-3 weeks from the time of application to issuance. Upon review, we will be in contact with further direction.

Payment is due at issuance (not at the application stage); once your application has been approved, an invoice with payment instructions will be generated and emailed to you. Once you have received an invoice, please see our Business Licence - Payment Guide.pdf [PDF - 283 KB] for making payment. Once payment is received, a copy of the business licence will be mailed to you. 

General Regulations and Application Information

Businesses operating in the City of Courtenay are regulated by the following bylaws and permit requirements:

• The Business Licence Bylaw [PDF - 1 MB] sets the fees and specific regulations for business types permitted to operate in the City of Courtenay
• The Zoning Bylaw regulates the permitted uses on properties within the City of Courtenay
• Commercial tenant alterations/improvements (for building and plumbing are regulated by the Building Bylaw and British Columbia Building Code regulations

• The Sign Bylaw regulates the number, size, type, form, appearance and location of signs permitted in the City of Courtenay

New! BizPaL Business Permits and Licences

BizPaL is an innovative online service that provides entrepreneurs with simplified access to information about business permits, licences and other requirements needed to start, operate and grow their business from the federal, provincial/territorial and participating municipal governments.

For information on the Province of BC's reguations surrounding health and business operations, please see: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/employers-businesses.