Inter-Community Business Licences

Municipalities from Sooke to Campbell River participate in the Inter-Community Business Licence program, which makes obtaining a business licence easier and less costly for businesses that provide services in more than one south and central Vancouver Island community.

This initiative, new in 2014 and expanded in 2019, saves businesses from obtaining a separate business licence from each community in which they wish to do business or provide services. In partnership with the Ministry of Jobs, Trades and Technology, many communities in British Columbia have worked together to create an inter-community business licence program for their region.

To obtain an inter-community business licence, select the inter-community business licence option on the Business Licence Application. You can now pay for your business licence online.

What is an inter-community business?

An inter-community business is defined as a business that performs a service in more than one community by moving from client to client rather than having a client come to a fixed place of business. Such a business may or may not have a storefront or physical location in a community. This includes, but is not limited to trades, plumbers, electricians, cleaning services, pest control or other similar businesses. An inter-community business does not include businesses selling goods or services from fixed or semi fixed locations where customers come to them. Examples of excluded businesses include fruit stands, roadside vehicle vendors, mobile stores, flea markets, concession stands and trade shows.

An inter-community business licence is valid for the same term as the regular business licence issued by the community from which the inter-community business licence is purchased. A business holding an inter-community business licence must comply with all bylaws and regulations of each community in which they operate.

The inter-community licence is an additional licence to the existing principal business licence. The annual fee for the inter-community licence is $170 for all participating municipalities and is paid in full at the time of application and retained by the participating municipality issuing the licence. The fee for an inter-community business licence is separate and additional to any municipal business licence fee which may be required.

Businesses that are not mobile businesses or are not eligible for an inter-community business licence must obtain a separate business licence from each community in which they do business.  Please refer to the Central Vancouver Island and Vancouver Island lists on the Province of BC mobile business licence program for a list of participating municipalities.

How do I renew my business licence if my business is not located in Duncan but I wish to do business in Duncan?

Please see the municipality where you have your principal business licence.

What do I do if my business is not located in Duncan or any of the other participating municipalities?

Non-resident businesses must choose a participating municipality and obtain a principal business licence from that municipality; this now becomes their principal or home municipality. The business may then apply at their principal municipality for an inter-community business licence.