Any activity or undertaking providing professional, personal or other service for the purposes of gain or profit requires a valid business licence. Other than Temporary Licences, a business licence is valid for a 12-month period from the date of issuance and shall expire on the last day of the 12th month. For Temporary Licences, refer to the Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006, Section 7.2.
Once a business licence is issued, a business can start operating.
View and search for issued business licences.
The City of Abbotsford does not register business names, or issue GST or PST numbers. Contact OneStop at 1-877-822-6727 for further information.
Business Licence Fees
- For businesses located within the City of Abbotsford the fee depends on a number of factors including the licence type, subtype and nature of business.
- Businesses located outside the City of Abbotsford (Non-Resident) have an annual fee of $130.
- An admin fee of $25 is charged for all new business licence applications.
For more information, refer to the Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006.
Part of the online application process includes an online payment that accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Business Licence Changes
All business licences are non-transferable. A new application must be completed. If there is a new owner, the licence must be issued before they may start operating the business.
If the nature of the business and the location are the same, a request to update the business name and/or mailing address should be made in writing. Complete and submit a Business Licence Amendment Application together with a copy of the name change registration (if applicable), and the Administration Fee of $25 (payable to City of Abbotsford).
The City will need to be notified in writing if your business has ceased operating so that your business licence file can be closed. Requests to close your business licence file can be emailed to businesslicence@abbotsford.ca.
Signage & Premises
When opening the premises of your business, some steps and permits must be secured first. All businesses located within the City of Abbotsford require an inspection. The Licence Inspector will contact you to arrange a mutually convenient time for the inspection.
A permit is required for any building modifications made and any new plumbing installed including sprinklers. Paint, carpeting or cosmetic changes do not require a permit.
All signs, other than signs located on a residential property to advertise a home-based business, require permits. A Sign Permit Application can be completed online. Signs for home-based businesses do not require permits, but must comply with the regulations as outlined for Identification Signs in the Sign Bylaw No. 1022-2001, Schedule A. Contact the Building Permits & Licences Division for more information.
Inter-Municipal Business Licences
Inter-Municipal Business Licences are available in the Fraser Valley. For an additional $250, eligible mobile businesses can be licenced to work in all eleven participating municipalities.