Business Licences
A Business Licence is required to operate a business within the City of Chilliwack. Licences are based on calendar year (not date of issuance).
Inter-Municipal Business Licences (IMBL)
Mobile businesses for construction, trades, and home health care services can apply for an IMBL to work in other municipalities in the Fraser Valley, in addition to a standard Business Licence from the home municipality. IMBL applications should be made at the same place as the standard Business Licence.
For businesses based in Chilliwack:
Business Registration
Before applying for a business licence, consider reviewing and registering a Business Name on BC Registry.
In-person: BC Access Centre (45467 Yale Road W, Chilliwack, BC)
Phone: 604-795-8415
Home-based Businesses
The City classifies home-based businesses depending on the zoning of the property and the type of business. Most home-based businesses are required to have a business licence.
- Accessory Home Occupation (AHO) is permitted in most areas
- Cottage Industry is permitted in most agricultural and rural hillside areas
- Accessory Home Industrial is only permitted in the M1-A (Residential Light Industrial) zone
Check the City Webmap for the zoning of a property.
Food Trucks
Business licensing for food trucks depends on where and how often the business is operating:
a. On a private commercial property:
- Regularly recurring operations: Commercial Business Licence (BL)
- Special events only:
- Chilliwack home-based: AHO BL
- Based outside of Chilliwack: Non-resident BL
b. At a City park or City-hosted event: Food Vending Agreement Application
Other Agencies
Additional Information
Payment methods
The applicant will be contacted via email to pay the fees once the application has been reviewed and approved.
The Business Licence Bylaw lists fees for all types of businesses.
By phone: 604-792-2906
- Credit Card: Mastercard or Visa (no AMEX); a 2% service fee will be applied (Bylaw 5331).
In-person:
- Credit Card: Mastercard or Visa (no AMEX); a 2% service fee will be applied (Bylaw 5331).
- Debit Card
- Cheque: Payable to City of Chilliwack
- Cash
Resources
City
Web Map: check a property's zoning to review what businesses are permitted
Tools
BC Business Registry
BizPal: search regulations, permits, and licensing requirements for different business types
Agencies
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO)
Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA)
Related Bylaws
All Regulatory Bylaws
Ancillary Liquor Service Regulation (Policy G-33: Ancillary Services of Liquor)
Business Improvement Area
Industrial Revitalization Tax Exemption
Inter-Municipal Business Licence
Revitalization Tax Exemption
Second Hand Goods Regulation
Sign Bylaw
Zoning Bylaw
PDF Application Forms
If the online application portal is not working, pdf application forms are available below. Completed application forms and all required documents can be submitted to [email protected].
Commercial
Inter-Municipal
Non-Resident
Residential - Accessory Home Occupation (Home-based)
Residential - Cottage Industry (Home-based)
