Business Licence Renewals
Due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, the Town will be sending the 2025 Business Licence Renewal Notices by email instead of regular mail. Please confirm that we have your current email address on file by emailing beo@gibsons.ca.
To ensure uninterrupted licensing and to receive a 10% discount, 2025 licences must be paid before December 31st, 2024. Due to the Canada Post strike, please do not mail a cheque at this time.
How to Pay:
a) In person at Town Hall by cash, cheque or debit. (Before noon on December 24th)
b) Pay online with a credit card using OptionPay. Please note, that there is a service fee to use the service. Once your online payment has been processed, licences can then be picked up at Town Hall.
c) Use the 24/7 drop box located at the Town Hall entrance to drop-off a cheque outside of business hours.
*Town Hall will be closed for the holidays at noon on Tuesday, December 24th, 2024, reopening on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025.
Business Licence Fees 2025
On November 5, 2024, Business Licence fees were increased for the first time since 1998. The fee increase is reflected on your 2025 Business Licence Renewal. View the rates here.
Has your address or phone number changed?
Complete the Business Licence Change Form if you have any changes to your business address, mailing address or phone number. If a business is moving to a new location, a building permit may be required to confirm the type of business is approved within that space. Please complete a Business License Application Checklist as part of the Business License Change and reach out to the Building Department with any questions.
Apply for a Business Licence
The Town of Gibsons is committed to attracting new business and retaining existing businesses in the Town to foster economic stability and growth for the community. If you conduct business within the Town of Gibsons for gain or profit, you are required to have a valid Town of Gibsons Business Licence.
- Complete the Business License Application Form and the Supplemental Checklist and bring them to Town Hall, fax to 604.886.9735, or email to beo@gibsons.ca. (The supplemental checklist is not required for mobile vendors).
- Staff will then review your application to make sure it is complete. The approvals required will depend on the type of business and the Town’s zoning requirements.
- Once all approvals are in place you will be contacted to pay for your Business Licence, usually within two business days.
Business Licence fees are charged annually and can vary depending on the type of business. Fees are non-refundable once a licence has been approved and issued.
Business licences must be renewed annually. Renew your licence before December 31st and receive a 10% discount.
Types of Business Licences
Resident Businesses are businesses that have a permanent location in Gibsons. These businesses operate from offices, retail locations, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and home based.
Non-Resident Businesses are businesses that operate in Gibsons on a temporary basis. These businesses include building trades contractors and mobile businesses that have no fixed address in the Town of Gibsons.
Inter-Community Businesses are businesses that service more than one community on the Sunshine Coast by moving from client to client rather than having a client come to a fixed place of business. Inter-Community licences allow these types of mobile businesses to conduct business in the Town of Gibsons, the District of Sechelt and/or Sechelt Indian Band. This program enables businesses to pay for one licence and no longer requires them to purchase licences in multiple jurisdictions. Please check the inter-community box on the business licence application form to register for this program.
Home-Based Business: The Town of Gibsons supports the establishment of appropriate home-based businesses in residential zones. Please refer to the Zoning Bylaw 1065 for permitted home-based businesses, which can be found in E-Resources on our Civicweb Portal: https://gibsons.civicweb.net/portal/
Important Zoning Information
Prior to opening a business you need to determine if the zoning of the proposed business property is suitable for the type of business you are planning. To verify zoning, view the Zoning Bylaw or contact the Planning Department at 604-886-2274.
Business Licence Approvals
Building Inspection
Fire Department Inspection
This inspection ensures that your business premise complies with the Fire Prevention Regulations. Compliance helps to protect lives, property and equipment investments.
Every business in our community is required to operate in accordance with Town Bylaws, BC Fire Code Regulations and the Fire Services Act. For more information on the Fire Department Inspection call 604-885-6870.
