If you wish to conduct business in the City of Campbell River, you must apply for and maintain a current business licence. (Unless you can prove that your business is exempted by either Provincial or Federal Statute or Regulation.)
The cost for a business licence is $150 and the expiry date is February 27 of each year. Licences are granted for a one-year period and renew on February 28 regardless of start date. Renewal notices are mailed out mid-February and must be paid by March 30. If payment is not received on or before that date, an automatic late charge of $25 is applied.
You will receive the invoice for your primary business licence first, and only after that is paid will the invoice for your Inter-Municipal Licence be mailed out (should you hold one). Licences are granted for a one-year period and all fees are non-refundable.
Should your business close, you are required to notify the Business Licence department in writing. Your licence is linked to the civic address submitted on the application; should you change location you will need to inform the Business Licence department to have the licence reviewed and reissued.
If you are renewing your licence, you can pay online by launching Online Payments. The link for business licence renewals appears in the menu on the right side of the screen.
Business Licence Approval Process
The applicant submits a completed Business Licence Application, including all of the following:
- Business name and business location
- Mailing address
- Owner/operator name
- Type of business and brief description
- Provide the fee payment based on the fee schedule in the Bylaw
The application is reviewed by City Staff to determine if the use is permitted by, and meets all requirements of, the City of Campbell's River Zoning Bylaw. If the business is not a permitted use for the area, it cannot proceed at the specified location.
Once it is determined that the use is permitted under the Zoning Bylaw, the application is reviewed by Building and Fire Inspectors for their endorsement prior to approval by the Business Licence Inspector. This may require an on-site inspection.
Vancouver Island Health Authority approval may be required for businesses such as restaurants, daycare centers, hairdressers, etc.
Processing time depends largely on the complexity of the business proposal and the ability of the applicant to meet licencing requirements.
Zoning
Before leasing or purchasing space for your business, check to ensure the zoning of the property is suitable for the type of business you are contemplating. Home-based businesses must meet the requirements for the Home-Based Business Rules and Regulations contained within the Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006 (Schedule A Text)
Building Inspection Department
Before a licence can be approved, a building inspector must approve the proposed premises for occupancy. Please note that you may be required to apply for a building permit when you add to an existing building, change the occupancy of an existing building, make interior renovations, make changes to any exits, make additions or changes to the plumbing, fire alarm, or fire sprinkler system. For information on specific requirements of your business plans along with the requirements for making a building permit application, contact a Building Official in the Building Department at building@campbellriver.ca or 250-286-5757.