Apply for a business licence online or using a fillable PDF.
Apply online using MyEsquimalt
The online platform allows users to apply for, review, renew and pay by credit card for their township business licence. Benefits include receiving your annual renewal invoice via email with an online payment option using a credit card. This service is available 24 hours a day.
Business classifications
| Business Classification | Fee | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments – fee per apartment unit | $15.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Small - less than 465 sq. meters (5,000 sq. ft.) Floor Area | $100.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Large - more than 465 sq. meters (5,000 sq. ft.) Floor Area | $200.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Liquor Food Primary | $120.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Liquor Licensee Retail Stores | $500.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Liquor - Liquor Primary | $500.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Liquor - Liquor Primary Club | $500.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Liquor - Manufacturer Liquor | $500.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Cannabis Retailer [added by Bylaw No. 2943] | $2,000.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Drug Paraphernalia Sales | $2000.00 | apply online |
| Commercial - Money Lenders | $2000.00 | apply online |
| Garage Sales (more than 3 per calendar year) | $50.00 | apply online |
| Home Crafts | $50.00 | apply online |
| Home Occupations (Guidelines) | $100.00 | apply online |
| Intermunicipal [See Bylaw 2379 & 2425] | $100.00 | apply online |
| Inter-Community [See Bylaw 2934] | $170.00 | apply online |
| Markets | $100.00 | apply online |
| Non-Resident Business | $100.00 | apply online |
| Professional Office | $100.00 | apply online |
| Registered Charity | $0.00 | apply online |
Additional Fees and Charges: Late Payment Fee | $25.00 |
Apply using a fillable PDF form.
- Download the Business Licence Application
- Save the document to your device, complete the application in full, resave the document and then email the completed application to business@esquimalt.ca.
- Applications will only be processed once payment is received.
- You may pay in person with cash, cheque or debit; use the exterior drop box or mail in a cheque.
- Business licence fees are due upon submission of an application form. Refer to Schedule 'A' attached to the application form for classifications of businesses and fees.
Please see the Business Licence Regulation Bylaw for additional information pertaining to business classifications and business licensing in Esquimalt.
Intermunicipal and Intercommunity Business Licences:
The Intermunicipal and Intercommunity licenses allow a business to conduct its business, services, or mobile business within a group of participating municipalities by taking out one license (versus multiple non-resident licenses). Click on the links to see the associated bylaws and information pertaining to these licenses.
Intermunicipal Business Licence (Greater Victoria)
The Intermunicipal licence allows you to conduct your business within any of the 13 Greater Victoria municipalities:
City of Colwood
City of Langford
City of Victoria
District of Central Saanich
District of the Highlands
District of Metchosin
District of North Saanich
District of Oak Bay
District of North Saanich
District of Saanich
District of Sooke
Town of View Royal
Township of Esquimalt
Intercommunity Business Licence (ICBL) - Vancouver Island
The ICBL was launched in January 2020 and gives business owners the option to take out one licence to work in participating Vancouver Island communities. As of July 2021 there are 14 participating municipalities:
City of Colwood
City of Duncan
City of Nanaimo
City of Parksville
City of Victoria
District of Sooke
District of Central Saanich
District of North Saanich
Municipality of North Cowichan
Town of Ladysmith
Town of Lake Cowichan
Town of Sidney
Town of View Royal
Township of Esquimalt
The latest list of participating ICBL partners is listed at: www.gov.bc.ca/mobilebusinesslicence. Please note not all Vancouver Island communities have joined the ICBL, so an inter-municipal licence may still be the best option to allow you to work within all the Greater Victoria communities.
If you have questions about the ICBL program, please get in touch with the business licencing department at 250-414-7136 or business@esquimalt.ca.
Business licence renewal notices are sent out to all businesses licensed in the preceding year at the end of each year. You will receive your renewal notice by email (must be signed up for eBilling) or via Canada Post.
Payment is due by January 31 each year.
Please notify the municipal hall at 250-414-7136 if you are no longer operating a business in Esquimalt.