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Business Licences
Paying for Your Business Licence
If you already have a business licence, you can pay for your Business Licence online. Please contact our office by email if there are any changes to your licence.
Applying for a Business Licence
The City of Coquitlam Business Licence Bylaw requires every person carrying on, maintaining, owning or operating within Coquitlam any profession, business, trade or occupation, to hold a valid business licence. The Business Licence must be visibly displayed on the premises. Licence holders operating a mobile business must carry the licence on his or her person while working in Coquitlam. In Coquitlam, licences are valid for one year from the date of commencement of the business.
The first step of starting a commercial or industrial business is confirming that the location is zoned for business use. More information on zoning can be found on our Zoning Bylaw page. Doing business in Coquitlam is easier than ever with the Business LinQ, a convenient new way to link to the resources and support you need. See our Business LinQ page for more information.
Starting a Business in Coquitlam?
Look over our Starting a Business Brochure (PDF) as a good starting point.
Business Licence Applications
Application for Coquitlam businesses located in a commercial or industrial space:
Application for home-based businesses in Coquitlam:
Application for businesses working in Coquitlam without a business address in Coquitlam:
Application for businesses participating in a Special Event in Coquitlam:
To ensure your application is processed as efficiently as possible, please include all supporting documents along with the application. For more information on this, see the ’Other information and useful resources’ section.
Additional Requirements
Depending on the type of business you are operating in Coquitlam, you may require other permits or licences that are not regulated by the City. Depending on your business type, there are often provincial or federal regulators. Examples of these include liquor licences and health permits. It is important to be aware of these requirements as they are in place to protect the safety and health of you, your customers and the general public.
Submitting Applications
Completed Business Licence Applications can be emailed or delivered to City Hall:
- Email Business Licenses
- 3000 Guildford Way
Coquitlam, B.C. V3B 7N2
A short-term rental is defined as the rental and occupation of a sleeping unit which is attached to or part of a dwelling unit, either with common cooking facilities, or where regular meals are provided. Examples of short-term rentals include but are not limited to bed and breakfasts and Airbnb® private room rentals.
City of Coquitlam has specific regulations for short-term rentals to ensure the rental does not negatively impact a residential neighbourhood.
Requirements
- All short-term rentals require a home-based business licence and an inspection
- At least one permanent resident of the home must live in and operate the short-term rental
- A maximum of two guests or one family is permitted to stay at any one time
- No noise, parking, pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic increases that impact the residential neighbourhood are allowed
- Rental space must be less than 40% of the residential floor area
- Rental space must not have separate cooking facilities. Shared cooking facilities are permitted.
To apply for a home-based business licence, fill out the Business Licence Application - Home Occupation (PDF). An Inspector will review the application and arrange a time for inspection prior to approval.
The Tri Cities Intermunicipal Business Licence program allows mobile businesses based in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam or Port Moody to obtain an add-on business licence and operate legally in all three Tri Cities municipalities. Non-resident businesses based in other municipalities must still obtain non-resident business licences to operate in each Tri Cities municipality.
A mobile business is a business that has a location, shop, office, or home -base in either Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam or Port Moody and delivers its services by moving from client to client throughout the Tri Cities. The principal municipality is the community in which the business has its location, shop, office or home base.
- The cost of an Intermunicipal Business Licence is $175 annually. Licence fees are not prorated.
- An Intermunicipal Business Licence is valid for the same term as the standard business licence issued from the principal municipality.
- A business holding an Intermunicipal Business Licence must comply with all of the Bylaws and Regulations of each municipality in which they operate.
The Coquitlam RCMP requests your co-operation in providing/updating the following information. The references supplied will be contacted in the event of an emergency after business hours. The information is used for break in’s/damage/alarm system not turning off/confirmation of employees. If you have any changes, especially with new employees, please phone us to update your contact list at any time throughout the year.
Please contact the Business Licensing Department at 604-927-3085, or email your form. The Licensing Department will forward this information directly to the Coquitlam RCMP.