We're open for business!
We're excited to welcome your business to our growing Colwood community! As one of the fastest growing regions in British Columbia, Colwood is a great place to bring your new business idea, or expand your enterprise.
Not sure if you require a business license?
We'd love to talk with you about it. Contact us at 250-478-5999 or email to info@colwood.ca.
Apply for a new business license or update your existing business license
New Business License: To apply for a business license, complete the Online Business Licence Application.
Business License Changes: Approval and a new application is required when the use of a business premise is changed, a property is developed, or building additions are undertaken, in order to ensure compliance with bylaws and regulations. To make a change to your existing business license, complete the Online Business Licence Change Form.
Business License Renewal: To renew your existing business license, complete the Business License Renewal Form.
Short Term Rentals require a business license
New Provincial Government legislation has indicated that short-term rental hosts must display a valid business licence number on their platform/web listing in areas where a business licence is required by the local government.
Short Term Rentals in the City of Colwood now require a business licence as well as registration on the Provincial registry. For information on short term rentals please visit New rules for short-term rentals - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca).
Review Colwood's Business License Bylaw [PDF/420KB] and related Business License Fees and Charges [PDF/257KB].
How your business license application is processed
A business license application is reviewed by a number of departments (development services, engineering, bylaw, building, fire) before a business license can be issued. The Capital Regional District, and Provincial and Federal governments may also have additional requirements that must be met before a business can legally operate.
Fire Inspections: If you operate out of a commercial space, food truck, or if you are applying for a home based and/or an intermunicipal business license, you may need a fire inspection. The fire department will verify that you meet all applicable fire codes. To arrange an inspection, please call (250) 478-8321 and ask for the Prevention Division.
Important Resources
- Get started with BizPal- an online business application that lets you search for the permits and licences you need to start or grow your business. This service is the result of strong collaboration between the Government of Canada and participating provincial/territorial, regional, and municipal governments.
- Colwood Business Licence Bylaw
- West Shore Chamber of Commerce- promoting a strong economic and social environment for our communities.
- Doing Business in the CRD
- Doing Business in BC
- BC Stats-the provincial government's largest concentration of statistical products, services and expertise
- Statistics Canada-statistics that help Canadians better understand their country-its population, resources, economy, society and culture
- Industry Canada-working with Canadians to build a growing competitive, knowledge-based economy... thereby increasing Canada's share of global trade, and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace