Business licences & permits — Nanaimo, British Columbia

Do I need a business licence or permit? What does it cost?

In the City of Nanaimo, British Columbia, licence required: True; who must license: Any person carrying on business in the City, including non-profits, short-term rental operators, commercial landlords, and special event organizers.; fee: as established in the City's Fees and Charges Bylaw; renewal: valid for a calendar year and expires on the 31st day of December. Source: Business Licence Bylaw 2021 No. 7318; Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025 No. 7435; Second Hand Dealers/Pawnbrokers Bylaw 1997 No. 5230; Sign Bylaw 1987 No. 2850; Street Entertainers Regulation Bylaw 2011 No. 7109, verified 2026-08-28.

Business Licence Bylaw 2021 No. 7318 adopted bylaw
licence required True s. 3.1
who must license Any person carrying on business in the City, including non-profits, short-term rental operators, commercial landlords, and special event organizers. s. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3.1, Schedule A s. 14
fee as established in the City's Fees and Charges Bylaw s. 5.1
renewal valid for a calendar year and expires on the 31st day of December s. 7.1
scout note

Requires a City business licence to carry on business in Nanaimo, setting licence categories, fees and conditions (including STR, home-based business, and mobile vendor categories); consolidated 2026-MAR-02.

Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 2025 No. 7435 adopted bylaw
licence required True s. 3.5
who must license Inter-Community Businesses operating in multiple Participating Jurisdictions, excluding Schedule A businesses and those with multiple premises. s. 3.1, s. 3.2, s. 3.5, Schedule A
fee $170; non-profit organizations exempt; may be reduced pro-rata. s. 4.1, s. 4.3, s. 4.4
scout note

Establishes Nanaimo's participation in the inter-community business licence program allowing a single licence to operate across participating Vancouver Island municipalities; supersedes the 2013 No. 7176 version.

Second Hand Dealers/Pawnbrokers Bylaw 1997 No. 5230 adopted bylaw
licence required True s. 5.1(a); s. 6.3(b); Schedule "A"
who must license Secondhand dealers, pawnbrokers, junk dealers, and auctioneers. s. 2; s. 5.1(a); s. 7
scout note

Licenses and regulates second-hand dealers and pawnbrokers operating in Nanaimo, including record-keeping requirements for purchased goods.

Sign Bylaw 1987 No. 2850 adopted bylaw
licence required True s. 7(1)
who must license Persons erecting, constructing, or maintaining signs must obtain a Sign Permit. s. 7(1)
fee $20 + $5 per m2 (most signs); $200 (Special Event); $25 (Temporary Portable) Schedule 'B'
scout note

Regulates the erection, placement, and display of signs within the City of Nanaimo.

Street Entertainers Regulation Bylaw 2011 No. 7109 adopted bylaw
licence required True s. 4(1)
who must license Street Entertainers or Street Entertainment Groups s. 4(1)
fee $25.00 Schedule "B"
renewal valid for twelve (12) months from the date of issue s. 3(5)
scout note

Sets permit/registration requirements and conduct rules for buskers and street entertainers operating in public spaces in Nanaimo.

Machine-readable: business-licensing.json · Official website: https://nanaimo.ca · Last verified 2026-08-28 · Business licences & permits in other municipalities