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Business Licences

About Business Licences

To conduct your business in Richmond, you must have a valid business licence and it must be posted in a conspicuous place as required in the bylaw.

Select from the following categories to learn more about Business Licence applications and requirements in Richmond.

New Business Licence Application

Online

MyBusiness - apply online Use MyBusiness, the City's new online business licencing service in the MyRichmond portal, to easily apply for, update, and renew business licences.

Visit MyBusiness - Business Licence Portal page for more information in regards to online business licence application.

In Person
For in-person applications, complete the fillable Business Licence Application Form and contact the Licence Division at 604-276-4328 for the application fee which must be submitted with the completed form. The application forms have been provided to you in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format and can be saved to your computer or viewed online.

New applications can be submitted:

By Mail - mail your completed application to City of Richmond Business Licence Division, 6911 No. 3 Road, V6Y 2C1 and include a cheque payable to the City of Richmond.
In Person - bring your completed application and payment to Richmond City Hall, during regular business hours Monday to Friday 8:15am to 5:00pm.

Note: Applications will not be processed without the Application Fee.

Business Licence Application Guide: How to Apply?
Appendix A is A Guide to the Business Licence Application Process and can answer some of the more frequently asked questions in the application process.

Doing Business in Richmond Basic Requirements English
Doing Business in Richmond Basic Requirements Simplified Chinese
Doing Business in Richmond Basic Requirements Traditional Chinese

Information on Operating as a Mobile Vendor in Richmond is also available.

For Businesses Operating from a Residence/Home
See

Appendix B and ensure that you review and understand the regulations for operating a business in a residential district.

For Businesses Operating from Commercial/Industrial Districts
Also complete

Appendix C and submit with the completed business licence application form.

Note: Applications cannot be processed unless the forms have been completed in full and all required registrations and/or tickets of qualifications and fees are submitted.

Payment Options
You may pay with cheque, money order, Interac card, or credit card through the following options. For the applicable Business Licence fees, please refer to the Consolidated Fees Bylaw in the City Bylaws section (Chapter 5) of this website. The licence fee is an annual fee based on the calendar year from date when the licence is issued. No tax is required for the licence fee. Note: Cash is not accepted.

By Mail – mail your payment to Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC V6Y 2C1, attention Business Licence Division.
In Person – bring your payment to Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 5:00pm

Timing
Our processing time for complete business licence applications (except for non-resident and home-based businesses) is about 4 to 6 weeks, provided that all requirements and approvals have been met.

The processing time varies depending on complexity of the requirements and required approvals. Required approvals include, but not limited to, Zoning, Building, Health, or/and Fire approvals. The processing time may take longer if your case is complex or if there are missing documents (e.g. professional certificate, dealership licence, payment, etc.).

Please refer to Appendix A: A Guide to the Business Licence Application Process for more information of business licence application process.

Renewing a Business Licence

Use MyBusiness, the City's new online business licencing service in the MyRichmond portal, to easily apply for, update, and renew business licences.

The option for the in-person and mail-in business licence application process is still available as described below.

Business Licence Renewals
Business Licences expire on the 1^st of every month and a renewal notice will be mailed approximately 30 days prior to the expiry date. This renewal notice is a two-part form; the top portion is the Business Licence for posting and the bottom portion is the invoice for payment. Carefully review the notice to ensure all information is correct.

Payment Options
You may pay with cheque, money order, Interac card, or credit card. Note: Cash is not accepted.

The following options are only for offline renewals without any changes.

By Mail – detach the invoice portion of the renewal notice and mail it together with your payment to Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC V6Y 2C1, attention Business Licence Division.
At your Bank or Credit Union – detach and use the invoice portion of your renewal notice with your payment. If you do electronic banking with your financial institution, use the Account Number found on your current renewal notice (note that this number changes each licence year).
In Person – bring the invoice portion of the renewal notice with your payment to Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, during regular business hours, Mon to Fri, 8:15am to 5:00pm. You may pay with cash, cheque, money order or by using your Interac card, or credit card.

Changing or Updating a Business Licence

Use MyBusiness, the City's new online business licencing service in the MyRichmond portal, to easily apply for, update, and renew business licences.

The option for the in-person and mail-in business licence application process is still available as described below.

If there are changes to your existing licence, a Business Licence Application Form must be completed and submitted to update the business licence. Changes include any amendments to a company name, trade name, address or classification. If a change of ownership has occurred, you must also complete and submit a Transfer of Licence Form.

Applications of changes to existing licences can be submitted:

By Mail - mail with a cheque payable to City of Richmond to, City of Richmond Business Licence Division, 6911 No. 3 Road, V6Y 2C1
In Person - bring your completed forms and payment to Richmond City Hall, during regular business hours Mon to Fri, 8:15am to 5:00pm
If you will not be operating or have ceased operations your business in Richmond, please notify the Business Licence office by one of the above methods.

Note: Applications will not be processed without the Application Fee.

Payment Options

You may pay with cash, cheque, money order, Interac card, or credit card through the following options. For the applicable Business Licence fees, please refer to the Consolidated Fees Bylaw in the City Bylaws section (Chapter 5) of this website.

By Mail – mail your payment to Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC V6Y 2C1, attention Business Licence Division.
In Person – bring your payment to Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, during regular business hours, Mon to Fri, 8:15am to 5:00pm

For Businesses Intending to Operate from a Residence
See Appendix B and ensure that you review and understand the regulations for operating a business in a residential district.

For Businesses Operating from Commercial/Industrial Districts

Also complete Appendix C and submit with the completed business licence application form

For Businesses that are Ownership Transfers

Complete Appendix D and submit with the completed application form

Note: Applications cannot be processed unless the forms have been completed in full and all required registrations and/or tickets of qualifications and fees are submitted.

Timing
The processing time varies depending on complexity of the requirements and required approvals. Required approvals include, but not limited to, Zoning, Building, Health, or/and Fire approvals. The processing time may take longer if your case is complex or if there are missing documents (e.g. professional certificate, dealership licence, ownership transfer documents, payment, etc.).

Refer to Appendix A: A Guide to the Business Licence Application Process for more information of business licence application process.

Reprinting a Business Licence

A reprint fee will apply for additional copies of a Business Licence. Please contact the Business Licence Department at 604-276-4328 or email: BusLic@richmond.ca for a reprint.

Cancelling a Business Licence

If you will not be operating or have ceased operations during a licence period, please notify the Business Licence office by phone at 604-276-4328 or by email, at BusLic@richmond.ca

Other Types of Licences

Metro West Inter-Municipal Business Licence

Refer to the Metro West Inter-Municipal Business Licence page.

Richmond Patio Program

Refer to the Richmond Patio Program page.

Mobile Food Vendor

Refer to the Mobile Food Vendor page.

Night Market Licence Application

Refer to the Night Market Licence Application page.

Bed and Breakfast Business Licence

Refer to the Bed and Breakfast Business Licence page.

Body Rub Employee Registration

Refer to the following document:
Body Rub Employee Criminal Record Check Package & Procedure

Business Licence Fees

For the applicable Business Licence fees, please refer to the Consolidated Fees Bylaw in the City Bylaws section (Chapter 5) of this website. The licence fee is an annual fee based on the calendar year from date when the licence is issued. No tax is required for the licence fee.

Business Licence and Regulation Bylaws

Relevant Business Licence and Regulation Bylaws should be consulted for specific business uses.

The Business Licence Bylaw, Business Regulation Bylaw, and Vehicle for Hire Regulation Bylaw can be viewed in the City Bylaws section of this website. These bylaws may also be viewed or purchased at City Hall.