Business Licences

All businesses operating in Esquimalt require either a valid business licence or a valid Intermunicipal business licence. This applies to all resident businesses, including home occupations, commercial and professional offices, owners of rental apartment properties, and all non-resident businesses. 

• Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw
• Apply for a Business Licence

All businesses must have a valid licence to legally operate in the Township of Esquimalt. Notices are mailed to all active businesses at the end of each calendar year. Business licence fees are due annually and are payable by January 31. 

Starting in February of the renewal year, any business license account that has not been renewed will incur a $25 late fee.

If you receive a Business Licence Renewal invoice but your business has ceased to operate, please sign and return the invoice stating “CLOSED” or call 250-414-7136 to discuss further.

BizPaL is an innovative online service that allows business clients to easily generate a customized list of the permits and licences they require from three levels of government – local, provincial and federal – by providing some generic information about the business.

New businesses can obtain a list of the required permits and licences from all three levels of government through the BizPaL web-based application.

Before you sign a lease, prospective business owners should check with the Development Services Department to make sure their business is a permitted use on the property they wish to lease or buy. 

Before you apply for a Business Licence, contact the Vancouver Island Health Authority, Health Protection and Environmental Services Branch, at 250-519-3648 to determine if your business requires a Health Inspection Certificate.