Business Licences
To make a Business Licence Application
A Business Licence is required if you plan to carry out business within the City of Courtenay.
Submit your completed Business Licence Application Form - Fillable.pdf [PDF - 878 KB] along with the required submissions to the City of Courtenay Development Services Department by email at businesslicence@courtenay.ca or to our drop-box outside of City Hall, located at 830 Cliffe Avenue.
Allow 2-3 weeks from the time of application to issuance.
Payment is due at issuance (not at the application stage); once your application has been entered into our system, an invoice with payment instructions will be generated and sent to you. Once you have received an invoice and your licence has been approved, please see our Business Licence - Payment Guide.pdf [PDF - 283 KB] for making payment.
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
Commercial Locations
For any business that has a commercial location within the City of Courtenay, business owners are required to provide Development Services with a floor plan and parking stall numbers at the time of application. This allows staff to confirm that the location meets all health and safety regulations as required by City bylaws, Fire and Building Code regulations.
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.