Opening a new business is exciting and requires careful planning. Make the Business Hub your first stop, where our Business Ambassador can help you navigate the City’s business processes, connect you to other agencies and direct you to business resources.
Reach out to City staff if you need more information. We are here to help.
The following guides can help you get started, no matter what type of business you plan to open.
How to Start a General BusinessIdentify properties that are of interest to you. This can be done independently, with resources such as Spacelist or through a qualified real estate agent.
Zoning regulations vary in Victoria and impact the type of business that is permitted to operate at different locations, along with other regulations such as parking requirements. Before signing a lease, use VicMap or ask City staff to identify regulations for your location, and confirm the legal use for a specific address.
Step 3 Apply for permits
Whether a business is leasing or purchasing a space, interior and exterior alternations may require one of more building permits. In addition, when changing the use of a space, a building permit is required. It is important to consult with City Staff before signing a lease or purchasing a property to ensure the improvements are allowable and timelines are understood, as all changes must meet BC Building Code standards. You also need a sign permit for any exterior signage. For more information,
you can visit us at City Hall or contact staff at Permits & Inspections.
Permits and Inspections | permits@victoria.ca or 250.361.0344
Step 4: Apply for a business licence
All businesses must obtain a business licence. You can apply for your business licence online or in-person at City Hall. Depending on the type of business you are opening, you may need to attach the following documents to your application.
Know your options for the right type of business licence. If your business is mobile or operating in more than just the City of Victoria, you may be eligible for:
If all necessary documents are submitted with the application form, you should receive approval within 10 business days.
What if the zoning allows for my business, but there is currently an occupancy permit for a different use?
You will need to apply for a change of use. This can involve applying for building permits through Permits and Inspections at City Hall.
Do I need a building permit for cosmetic changes to the interior of the space such as painting?
No. You are only required to apply for a building permit if you want to make structural changes,
changes to the exterior or changes to electrical or plumbing.If you are completing extensive changes, the permits process will likely take four to six-months.
I’d like to change my signage, what do I need to know?
You require a permit from the City of Victoria for any signs that are affixed to the exterior of the building or portable signs on public property. For signs that are affixed to the exterior of the building, changes must go through the Permits and Inspections department. Portable signs on public property have their own regulations and requirements.
Do I need to wait for my permits to be completed before I submit my business licence application?
No, steps 3 and 4 can occur at the same time. Your business licence won’t be approved until you have appropriate sign off on your permits, but your application can be submitted and begin the necessary steps of approval.
Check to see if your address is within the City of Victoria municipal boundaries by using the VicMap
tool. Home-based businesses must be licenced in the municipality that they are located in.
The best way to determine if your business is permitted as a home occupation is to consult with the Business Hub or Business Licensing department at City Hall or read Schedule D in the home occupation bylaw.
Business Hub | bizhub@victoria.ca or 250.361.0629
Business Licensing | businesslicence@victoria.ca or 250.361.0572
All businesses must obtain a business licence. The fee for a home-based business licence is $100 per year. You can apply for your business licence online or in-person at City Hall.
Check the “home occupation” box on the business licence application. Depending on the type of business you are opening, you may need to attach the following documents to your application.
If all necessary documents are submitted with the application form, you should receive approval within 10 business days.
Yes. If you reside in the City of Victoria, submit a General Business Licence application using your home address and check the home occupation box. You will also need to check the Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL) box, which permits you to operate your mobile home-based business across all 13 municipalities in the Capital Region District. Mobile business licences - Province of British Columbia.
Yes, if your home is the primary location where business is being conducted.
Yes, you can have up to three home occupation business licences registered to the same address. However, only one of the home-based businesses is allowed to receive clients at the residence.
Identify properties that are of interest to you. This can be done independently, with resources such as Spacelist or through a qualified real estate agent.
Zoning regulations vary in Victoria and impact the type of business that is permitted to operate at different locations, along with other regulations such as parking requirements. Before signing a lease, use VicMap or ask City staff to identify regulations for your location, and confirm the legal use for a specific address.
The first step to secure a liquor license is to apply through BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). Once the application has been filed, the City may need to provide a resolution to LCRB depending on the type of licence you are applying for, and the fire department will need to provide the approved occupancy limit.
All food-related businesses must comply with Island Health regulations to permit the safe production, handling and storage of foods. This includes FOODSAFE certifications, health operating permits, sample food menus, floor plans and construction plans before the final health inspections and issuance of permit.
Island Health - Food Safety 250.519.3401
Whether a business is leasing or purchasing a space, interior and exterior alternations may require one or more building permits. In addition, when changing the use of a space, a building permit is required. It is important to consult with City staff before signing a lease or purchasing a property to ensure the improvements are allowable and timelines are understood, as all changes must meet BC Building Code standards. You also need a sign permit for any exterior signage. For more information you can visit us at City Hall or contact staff at Permits & Inspections at permits@victoria.ca or call 250.361.0344.
It is important to know that if you are completing extensive, changes the permits process will likely take four to six months.
The final step is to apply for a business licence, once the business owner, the City and other regulatory organizations are satisfied that the requirements to open a restaurant are met. You can apply for your business licence online or in-person at City Hall.
Depending on the type of restaurant you are opening, you may need to attach the following documents to your application:
If all necessary documents are submitted with the application form, you should receive approval
within 10 business days. The annual licence fee will vary as it considers whether you are operating a restaurant without a liquor licence, with a liquor licence, or as a lounge. After your business licence application is submitted you will be given details on how to arrange the required fire inspection.
The number of washrooms required will depend on the size, floor space and number of seats in your location. In general, the ratio is one washroom for every 25 seats. At least one washroom must be barrier-free. For specific information, contact a building inspector in the Permits and Inspections department.
If the location was previously a restaurant and only minor changes are being made, you won’t require an architect. If a change of use is happening, you will likely need an architect to make the changes.
The owner of the building needs to fill out an owner’s authorization form to give you access to the plans.
There are regulations in place to preserve heritage buildings and guide any proposed alterations to these buildings. Schedule a meeting with a heritage planner to discuss your ideas and to better understand what might be possible.
The front entrance should be barrier-free and accessible and at least one washroom must be barrier-free.
There are different requirements for opening a storefront cannabis retail business versus a cannabis-related business. A storefront cannabis retail business is a place where cannabis is sold or provided to a person who attends the premises. Cannabis-related businesses may include wholesaler, grower or online sales. More details can be found at Cannabis Licensing.
Step 3: Determine if rezoning is required
The fee for a storefront cannabis retailer rezoning application is $7,500. If the application goes ahead, there is an additional fee of $1,800 to hold a public hearing.
Whether a business is leasing or purchasing a space, interior and exterior alternations may require one or more building permits. In addition, when changing the use of a space, a building permit is required. It is important to consult with City Staff before signing a lease or purchasing a property to ensure the improvements are allowable and timelines are understood, as all changes must meet BC
Building Code standards. You also need a sign permit for any exterior signage. For more information, you can visit us at City Hall or contact staff at Permits & Inspections
Permits and Inspections| permits@victoria.ca or 250.361.0344
Step 5: Apply for a business licence
Once the business licence application has been made, you will need to schedule a fire inspection with the Victoria Fire Department. The purpose of this inspection is to ensure the business will be operating in conformance with BC Fire Code, BC Building Code and applicable municipal and provincial fire regulations.
The Fire Inspector conducting the inspection will also collect emergency contact information, and information regarding the building and business. The inspector will also educate the business owners on the routine fire inspection process within the City of Victoria.
For more information, contact the Victoria Fire Department.
What should I do first to open a cannabis business?
Take time to familiarize yourself with the regulations, both from a business licensing and a land use perspective. Apply for a business licence and rezoning as soon as you have all the required supporting documents.
I will only be consulting on cannabis. Do I still need to follow all the regulations?
Yes. Even if you do not have cannabis on-site, you still need to obtain a business licence and follow the applicable regulations. You do not need to apply for rezoning.
Can my business do mail or online delivery?
Yes. Businesses that are not storefront cannabis retailers but will have cannabis on-site for delivery or other purposes need to apply for a business licence under their related classification (i.e., manufacturer, online sales, etc.)
I would like customers to be able to consume products on-site. How do I apply for that type of business?
Currently, City bylaws do not permit the consumption of cannabis on-site.
In the City of Victoria, mobile food vending businesses are permitted to operate on private property or at special events. Mobile food vendors must comply with local zoning and bylaw regulations. Before you consider a location on private property, make sure the location is zoned for this type of use. Use the City’s VicMap tool or contact City staff in the Business Hub or Zoning to get help identifying these regulations.
All food-related businesses must comply with Island Health regulations to permit the safe production, handling and storage of foods. This includes FOODSAFE certifications, health operating permits, and sample food menus before the final health inspections and issuance of permit.
The City of Victoria Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw includes language for mobile cooking
operations wishing to operate within the City of Victoria. This is intended to ensure that operators have installed the required fire protection/safety systems and are maintaining them to the same standards of similar operations occupying commercial spaces. Safety is the biggest priority.
In addition to existing requirements, key language in the Bylaw includes but is not limited to:
All mobile cooking operations that are operating within the City of Victoria must receive an annual inspection by the Fire Department in accordance with the Fire Regulation Bylaw. This yearly inspection has a $100 fee. It is the responsibility of the owner or operator to schedule this inspection, and once the fee for the inspection has been processed, you will be issued your decal for the calendar year. This can be done by contacting the Victoria Fire Department.
All businesses must obtain a business licence. The fee for a general business licence to operate a mobile food vending business is $100. You can apply for your business licence online or in-person at City Hall.
You will need to attach the following documents to your application.
As your business is mobile in nature, you may want to apply for an Inter-Municipal business licence to allow you to do business in other municipalities. It is important to note that every municipality that participates in this business licence program has different regulations and bylaws for mobile food vendors. It is your responsibility to educate yourself about their rules and regulations if you plan on operating in other jurisdictions.
You must get permission from the event organizer.
No. You cannot sell on City property unless it is at a special event that you have received a permit for.
If you are cooking with gas, gas appliance installations in B.C.’s food trucks and trailers must be done under a gas installation permit. To receive a Commercial Installation Permit for the installation of gas and fuel systems and appliances, you must follow the appropriate steps.
Food trucks, permits, and gas installation
