Business Licence Application
Application ID:  
Information we collect and why we collect it
The City of Courtenay is collecting personal information in accordance with Section 26 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The personal information collected in this form (name, contact information, etc.) will be used for the purpose of administering the Business Licence Application. Questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of this information can be directed to the City’s Privacy Officer at City Hall, 830 Cliffe Avenue Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7. Phone: 250-334-4441 Email: info@courtenay.ca

Hover (or click on mobile) to learn more about Business Licences

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

BYLAW NO. 2523 - SECTION 2 - GENERAL REGULATIONS
2.1 No person shall carry on a business within the City without first:
A. Paying the fee for a business licence as described under Schedule A of this bylaw; and
B. Obtaining a City business licence; or
C. Being the holder of a valid Inter Municipal business licence.


Business Licence Types

Business Licences are valid for the calendar year, from January 1 to December 31.
If your business operates in more than one jurisdiction and the business you conduct performs a service in more than one community by moving from client to client rather than having a client come to a fixed place of business you will require an Inter Municipal or Inter Community Licence.

COURTENAY ONLY BUSINESS LICENCE:
This licence includes Courtenay only and the annual fee will range depending on business type.

INTER MUNICIPAL BUSINESS LICENCE:
This licence includes and is subject to approval from both the Town of Comox and the City of Courtenay.

INTER COMMUNITY BUSINESS LICENCE:
This licence includes the following participating municipalities.

  • City of Courtenay
  • Town of Comox
  • Town of Lake Cowichan
  • Village of Cumberland
  • City of Duncan
  • Mun. of North Cowichan
  • Town of Ladysmith
  • City of Nanaimo
  • Town of Qualicum Beach
  • City of Parksville
  • City of Port Alberni
  • City of Campbell River

General Regulations and Application Information
  • Please note that payment is due at the time of issuance (not at the time of application). We will email you an invoice along with our payment guide if your application is approved.
  • If your Business is not mobile (i.e. it has a storefront location or is an office where the public will be frequenting), you are required to submit a Floor Plan and Parking Plan with your application.
  • Allow 2-3 weeks from the time of application to issuance. The Planning Department will need to review permitted uses per the zoning of your business location, and a Building Inspector and Fire Inspector will need to do inspections as part of the referral review process.
  • Businesses operating in the City of Courtenay are regulated by the following bylaws included, but not limited to:
  • The Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 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.
  • Floor Plans and Parking Plans can be hand drawn but must include measurements (sq. ft.) and must be legible.
  • Island Health approval is required for certain types of businesses (child care, food
    services, etc.). Business licences will not get final approval until Island Health has permitted a business to operate. It is the applicants responsibility to contact Island Health. 

Business Licence Renewal and Changes

Renewal notices are mailed out mid-January of each year to all businesses that possess a current City of Courtenay business licence. If a licence is not obtained by the renewal due date, a late payment fee calculated at 25%, for those licences paid on or after March 1, or 50%, for those licences paid on or after June 1, of the annual licence fee will be charged. If changes to the business licence are required (i.e. change of ownership, business name, mailing address, etc.), a completed business licence application form must be re-submitted. If the business is no longer operating, notification must be received immediately IN WRITING (businesslicence@courtenay.ca). It is the licencee's responsibility to ensure their account is up-to-date and that all contact information on file is correct.


Example Floor Plan - Commercial

Floor Plans can be hand drawn but must include measurements (sq. ftg.) and must be legible. 
Click to Expand


Example Parking Plan - Commercial

Floor Plans and Parking Plans can be hand drawn but must include measurements (sq. ftg.) and must be legible.
Click to Expand


Short Term Rental Requirements
A short term rental accommodation must:
  • only be within the following dwelling unit types: single residential dwelling, accessory dwelling unit, or secondary suite as part of a single residential dwelling
  • be for less than 90 consecutive days
  • be operated by the owner of the parcel, with a valid Business Licence
  • be a maximum of 3 bedrooms and not host more than 6 guests at one time
  • not be offered in more than one dwelling unit
  • not contain more than one short term rental accommodation per parcel
  • not occur in combination with a Bed & Breakfast or day care on the same parcel

Example Fire Safety Plan - Short Term Rentals & Home-Based

Floor Plans can be hand drawn but must include measurements (sq. ftg.) and must be legible. 
Click to Expand


Example Parking Plan - Short Term Rentals & Home-Based

Floor Plans and Parking Plans can be hand drawn but must include measurements (sq. ftg.) and must be legible.
Click to Expand


The information requested on this application is necessary to fully evaluate your request for a Business Licence. Completion of this application does not guarantee approval of a Business Licence. Business may not commence before a licence is issued.
Licence fees are non-refundable.

Type of Application

(Select all that apply)
For 'Change of Location' Applications:
If changes to a business location are required for an existing business, a fee of $20.00 must be submitted at the time of application.” Please see our Business Licence Payment Guide for instructions on how to make payment.
Please fill out the remaining information below with your most up-to-date/current details.

Classification

(Select all that apply)

Short Term Rental

A short term rental accommodation must:
  • only be within the following dwelling unit types: single residential dwelling, accessory dwelling unit, or secondary suite as part of a single residential dwelling
  • be for less than 90 consecutive days
  • be operated by the owner of the parcel, with a valid Business Licence
  • be a maximum of 3 bedrooms and not host more than 6 guests at one time
  • not be offered in more than one dwelling unit
  • not contain more than one short term rental accommodation per parcel
  • not occur in combination with a Bed & Breakfast or day care on the same parcel
The City of Courtenay requires the appropriate permits for these units to be used as short term accommodations. For further information on building permit applications, please click here. 
 
Short term rentals are limited to a maximum of 3 bedrooms.
Short term rentals are limited to a maximum of 6 guests at one time.
For the 'Home Occupation' Classification:
If clients will be visiting your home, submit a Floor Plan of the entire home, indicating where the dedicated area for the business is (including sq. ftg.) and a Parking Plan.
If clients will not be visiting your home, submit a Floor Plan of the entire home, indicating where the dedicated area for the business is (including sq. ftg.).
For the 'Shared Occupancy' Classification:
If you are sharing a portion of a building or unit with another business (or multiple businesses), a Shared Occupancy Agreement is required.

Shared Occupancy Bulletin.pdf [PDF -183 KB]
Shared Occupancy Agreement.pdf [PDF - 140 KB]
(PDF format, maximum file size of 1.0MB)
For the 'Standard' Classification:
Submit a Floor Plan of the entire business space (including sq. ftg.) and a Parking Plan.

Area of Coverage Required

Type and Location of Mobile Unit

  • Licenced mobile units are permitted to operate on private property that is zoned for restaurant use, with written permission from the property owner. Mobile units must be at least 30 metres away from existing restaurants.
(PDF format, maximum file size of 1.0MB)

Property Owner Authorization

A lease agreement OR letter from the property owner(s) authorizing the tenant(s) to operate their business from the property is required. It must be signed by both the property owner(s) and the tenant(s).
(PDF format, maximum file size of 1.0MB)

Property Owner

Joint Property Owner

Applicant Information

Joint Applicant Information

Business Information

Please contact Island Health.
(PDF format, maximum file size of 1.0MB)
Please contact the City of Courtenay Fire Department.
(PDF format, maximum file size of 1.0MB)
The City of Courtenay has working agreements with the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association (BIA) to support businesses in our community. As part of this program, the City provides both organizations with information on new companies and operations requesting business licenses so they can reach out, connect and support them. The Chamber and/or BIA would only use the information to contact you directly. 
You will be able to review the information and remove any which you do not want to go to these organizations on the next page.
Ex. For apartments, hotels, motels, hostels, mobile home parks, etc.
A Building Permit may be required. Please follow up with staff for application information. 
A Sign Permit may be required. Please follow up with staff for application information. 

Description of Business

File Upload

File Upload

(PDF format, maximum file size of 3MB)
(PDF format, maximum file size of 3MB. See example Fire Safety Plan at the top of the page.)
Prior to the approval of your license, your property will undergo a Fire Safety inspection to assess and review your Fire Safety Plan.
(PDF format, maximum file size of 3MB)
(PDF format, maximum file size of 3MB. one dedicated parking space must be provided for the rental use, in addition to the parking spaces required for the principal residence itself.)

Mobile Food Vending File Upload

The following items are required alongside your application.
 
1. BC Safety Authority Approval:
2. Proof of Motor Vehicle Insurance (Food Trucks and Food Trailers)
 ​​
3. Liability Insurance:
  • Provide a copy with the following minimum requirements:
    • Inclusive limit of $2,000,000 and Public Liability & Property Damage
    • Cross Liability Clause
    • City of Courtenay named as joint insured under the policy
    • Provide that the coverage under the policy cannot be cancelled or any provisions changed or deleted unless thirty days’ prior written notice is given to the City by the insurer
4. Discharge Management Plan:
  • Describe how you will dispose of any fats, oils, or greases created by the business.
5. Photographs:
  • Photos of all sides of the mobile food vending unit must be provided.
6. Site Plan:
  • Indicate the location of the proposed mobile unit. Licenced mobile units (food trucks/trailers/carts) are permitted to operate on private property that is zoned for restaurant use but must be at least 30 metres away from existing restaurants.
Before uploading them, please take a moment to ensure that each file name includes your Business Name and Application ID as described below. 
  • Ensure that your file name includes reference to your Application ID: .
    For example: Photo 1_Business Name_ID12345678
  • Only PDF format is accepted
Please upload them to our separate system and record the names of the files in the space provided below.

CLICK HERE to upload the required items with your mobile food vending business licence application. 
As a double confirmation, please indicate which files you uploaded:
Information we collect and why we collect it.

The City of Courtenay is collecting personal information in accordance with Section 26 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The personal information collected in this form (name, contact information, etc.) will be used for the purpose of administering the Business Licence Application. Questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of this information can be directed to the City’s Privacy Officer at City Hall, 830 Cliffe Avenue Courtenay, BC V9N 2J7. Phone: 250-334-4441 Email: info@courtenay.ca



Request Technical Support