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General Business Licence

If Non Resident, do you require the licence to be renewed next year?

Do you require an Inter-Community Licence?

An Inter-Community Business Licence allows qualifying mobile businesses to operate in participating Vancouver Island municipalities without requiring individual business licences. You must have a valid Nanaimo business licence before applying for an Inter-Community Business Licence. The fee is an additional $170 annually.

Business Information

Business licence information provided on this application will be made available for public viewing on the City of Nanaimo’s website, Business Licence Search. If, for reasons of confidentiality or privacy, you do not want to publish the business location, please advise.
Business address

Number of people working in the business (including owner/operator)

 

Commercial Business Premises

Are interior alterations or renovations planned?

Are plumbing fixtures being added and/or modified?

If yes to either of the above questions, have you applied for a building permit?

Is this a liquor-licensed establishment?

Home-Based Business Premises

Is the business mobile or online only?

Do you rent?

Economic Development Information

The Economic Development Section collects data about the local economy. The information that you provide is summarized and analyzed by the Economic Development Section to measure trends in the local economy.
Ownership Structure

Type of Business

Do you rent/lease or own your business premises?

Principal Markets

Consent to receive updates

Applicant's Acknowledgement

I/We hereby declare that the home-based business as described on this application is of a mobile/online nature only and that should this change in the future, that the Business Licensing section will be notified in writing.

In making application for a commercial business licence, it is understood that any alterations or renovations to the commercial space cannot be undertaken without first obtaining a building permit and that if a building permit is required, that the business licence application will not be processed until the building permit is successfully completed.

I/We hereby make application for a business licence in accordance with the particulars as stated on this application and declare that the information on the application to be true and correct.  I also declare that I have read the Business Licence Bylaw and the Home-Based Business Regulations (if applicable) and undertake to comply with all bylaws of the City of Nanaimo and all other laws now in force or which may hereafter come into force.  I also understand that business cannot commence until the licence has been issued.


Acknowledgement

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVACY AND YOUR PRESENTATION

  • Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose.
  • Regular Council and Committee meetings that are open to the public are webcast using live-streaming video technology and may be recorded for video-on-demand access for subsequent viewing. By speaking at these meetings, you are consenting to disclosure of any personal information made evident through your speech or presentation materials, and acknowledging that this information may be disclosed and/or accessed outside of Canada. Personal information may include your image, name, address, and personal opinions. You are also asserting that your presentation is in compliance with the Federal Copyright Act, and grant the City of Nanaimo license to publish these materials. Individuals presenting to Council or Committees are requested to not disclose third-party information or it may be redacted.
For further information regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, please contact the Legislative Services Office at 250-755-4405 or at foi@nanaimo.ca. 


Last updated: April 15, 2025

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVACY AND YOUR PRESENTATION

  • Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose.
  • Regular Council and Committee meetings that are open to the public are webcast using live-streaming video technology and may be recorded for video-on-demand access for subsequent viewing. By speaking at these meetings, you are consenting to disclosure of any personal information made evident through your speech or presentation materials, and acknowledging that this information may be disclosed and/or accessed outside of Canada. Personal information may include your image, name, address, and personal opinions. You are also asserting that your presentation is in compliance with the Federal Copyright Act, and grant the City of Nanaimo license to publish these materials. Individuals presenting to Council or Committees are requested to not disclose third-party information or it may be redacted.
For further information regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, please contact the Legislative Services Office at 250-755-4405 or at foi@nanaimo.ca.