New Business Licences

The District of Squamish's objective, in collecting and maintaining business licence details, is to provide necessary information, and to promote growth and success for residents and non-residents who undertake business in Squamish. A business license is required by all businesses operating in Squamish

 It is also requested that you complete the Business Information Data Collection form annually. Updating your business information data provides valuable insight, informing local business programs and services, as well as policy decisions.

A business licence is required to regulate the carrying on of businesses within the District of Squamish.

Business is defined as carrying-on of a commercial or industrial undertaking of any kind or nature, or the providing of professional, personal, or other services for the purpose of gain or profit (please note gain includes non-profit and not-for-profit organizations). New or temporary businesses, and those that have changed location, changed ownership, or opened a new location; all require a new licence to operate in the District of Squamish. 

Business licence operators must visibly display their business licence on the premises. Business licence holders operating a mobile business must carry the licence with them while working in Squamish.

Business operators that are unlicensed and licence holders who do not ensure their sub-contractors and suppliers are licensed are subject to fines for each day the Business Licence Bylaw offence occurs.

If you want to update your business licence details, such as trade relocation, mailing address, name change, or business closure, please complete the appropriate Change or Cancellation form. .

To look up a business licence, please visit the Business Licences Report page.

View the  Business Licence Bylaw (May 2021).

There are generally two forms of business licence applications, and these can be further categorized by business type.

Resident Business means a business carried on in or from premises within the municipality. 

Non-Resident mean a business, other than a resident business, carried on within the municipality, or with respect to which any work or service is performed within the municipality. 

Fees for Non-Resident or Home Occupation businesses are $130 for the calendar year. For all other businesses, please refer to Schedule 4 of the Fees and Charges Bylaw.

The processing time for a new business licence application depends on completeness of the application when received and the need for approvals by other departments or other regulatory authorities. These approvals may be in addition to District Community Planning and include Provincial agencies such as Vancouver Coastal Health, or other District departments such as Squamish Fire Rescue.

For specific types of businesses, you are required to provide the following proof of certification or authorization (depending on the nature of your business, you may also be required to provide additional documentation):

• Plumbing Business – Trade Qualification Number
• Electrical Business – Electrical Contractor’s Licence Number
• Alarm Business – HST Registration Number
• Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) Business – Registration Number
• Auto Sales Business – VSA Licence Number
• Portable Food Vendor Business – You are required to provide the District of Squamish with a Letter of Authorization from the property owner(s) of the property on which your portable business is located.
• Cannabis Retail - please read more here.

Before Applying for Your Business Licence

We recommend registering your business before applying for your business licence because you may require other permits or licences that the District of Squamish does not , depending on the type of business you are operating.  Examples may include approvals from the Health Department or Motor Carrier Branch.

BizPaL is an innovative online service that allows businesses to easily generate a customized list of permits and licences required by the three levels of government - local, provincial and federal - simply by providing some generic information about your location and type of business. Find out more by visiting the BizPal website.

Business Licence Application Forms

• Commercial
• Home-based
• Non-Resident

Applications are accepted in person, or via mail or email.

In person or via mail to:

Community Planning
Squamish Municipal Hall
37955 Second Avenue
PO Box 310
Squamish, B.C. V8B 0A3 

Email: [email protected]. 

Questions? 
Community Planning:  604.815.5014

Economic Development's website features resources and support curated for individuals interested in starting up a business in Squamish. Please visit InvestSquamish.ca to find support in researching, planning, and launching your business here in Squamish.

Have questions about starting a business in Squamish? We're here to help!

Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 604.892.5217