Business Licensing

All businesses operating in the City of Langford require a business licence.

Please ensure you have filled out all fields on the application form, and have submitted all required documents to avoid delay of the application process. Payment of the application fee will be requested once the application has been reviewed and approved by each relevant department. Once payment is received, a copy of your licence will be sent to the email address submitted on the application form.

Send your completed application form and any supporting documentation:

• by email: businesslicence@langford.ca
• in person: Langford City Hall, Second Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue (8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
• by mail: City of Langford, Attn: Business Licensing, Second Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford BC, V9B 2X8

Payment options: Forms of payments accepted at city hall include debit, cash, or cheque. We do not accept credit cards or electronic transfers. For payment sent by mail, please ensure cheques are payable to City of Langford and note your business name on the memo line.

For all inquiries regarding the business licence process, or to follow up on the status of your application, please email businesslicence@langford.ca.

Step One: Find a Location
Prior to applying for a business licence, you will need to find a location for your business. This can vary from a residential building, warehouse or commercial space. Zoning regulations vary in different areas of Langford and determine the types of businesses that are permitted to operate. Current zoning for a property can be found online via the Parcel Information Map. For additional information please contact the City and ask to speak with our Planning Department at 250-478-7882 or email your question(s) to planning@langford.ca.

Zoning determines what types of businesses are allowed in an area, while legal use refers to how the space is currently approved to be used under the BC Building Code. A building permit may be required for a change in use or for alterations to the physical space. You can check current legal use by contacting the city’s building department by phone at 250-478-7882 or by email at building@langford.ca.

Step Two: Prepare Paperwork
Fill out the business licence application form and attach any required supporting documents:

• Floor Plan
• Parking Plan
• Island Health approval (if applicable)

You can submit your application and documents:

• By email: businesslicence@langford.ca
• In person: Langford City Hall, Second Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue
• By mail: Langford City Hall, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford BC, V9B 2X8

Step Three: Approval Process
Once you have submitted all necessary paperwork, the application will be reviewed by the planning, bylaw, building and fire departments. The general timeframe for review and approval is 2-4 weeks but may vary depending on the workload of each department involved in the business license permitting process.

Step Four: Payment of Application Fee
Payment of the application fee will be requested once the application has been reviewed and approved by each relevant department. Forms of payments accepted at City Hall include debit, cash, or cheque. We do not accept credit cards or electronic transfers. For payment sent by mail, please ensure cheques are payable to City of Langford and note your business name on the memo line. Once payment is received, your business licence will be emailed to the address provided on your application form.

Floor plans and parking plans are required for the following types of business licence applications:

1. Commercial businesses: Applicants are encouraged to contact a building inspector prior to submitting their application to confirm specific requirements related to floor layout, occupancy, and safety standards.
2. Daycare businesses: Applicants should speak with the planning department to ensure their proposed space meets parking requirements for childcare operations.
3. Home-based businesses with clients or employees on site: Applicants are advised to consult the planning department regarding parking requirements and any zoning considerations that may apply.

Inter-municipal licences are available to Langford residents which allows a mobile business to operate in all thirteen (13) participating municipalities within the Capital Regional District:

1. District of Central Saanich
2. City of Colwood
3. Township of Esquimalt
4. District of Highlands
5. City of Langford
6. District of Metchosin
7. District of North Saanich
8. District of Oak Bay
9. District of Saanich
10. Town of Sidney
11. District of Sooke
12. City of Victoria
13. Town of View Royal

The application form is the same for both a regular business licence and an inter-municipal licence.

If you have any questions, please email: businesslicence@langford.ca.

As of May 1, 2024, the Province of British Columbia’s new rules for short-term rentals will be in effect. Among these new regulations is a requirement that short-term rental hosts display a valid business license on their listing in areas where a business licence is required by the local government.

The City of Langford does not currently require a business license for short-term rentals.

For updated information on short-term rentals, please visit: New rules for short-term rentals – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca).

If a member of the public believes a short-term rental host or platform is not following the provincial rules they can submit a complaint at the link provided: Short-term rental compliance and enforcement – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca).

How do I pay for a business licence?
Payment for a business licence can be made in-person with debit, cash or cheque at Langford City Hall, Second Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue. Office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday (closed statutory holidays). Payment can also be sent by mail using cash or a cheque. Please ensure cheques are payable to City of Langford and include your business name on the memo line.
Note: Credit cards and electronic transfers are not accepted.

Do I need to renew my business licence?
As of January 2014, Langford business licences are perpetual and there is no expiry or renewal requirement unless the business closes, changes ownership, or moves to a new location. The one exception is Non-Resident business licences, which are valid for up to one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed.

What documents do I need to submit with my business licence application?
The documents required for a business licence application vary depending on the type and location of your business. Please refer to the “Required Submissions” section above for detailed information on what to include with your application.

Do I need a business licence if I operate a short-term rental in Langford?
The City of Langford does not currently issue or require business licenses for short-term rentals. For latest information on provincial short-term rental requirements, please visit Government of British Columbia’s website: New rules for short-term rentals – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca).

Can I get a licence if my business is located outside of Langford?
Yes. If your business is based outside the City of Langford but operates within city limits, you may apply for a Non-Resident business licence. This licence is valid for up to one year from the date of issuance and must be renewed to remain valid.