Abbotsford Business Licences

Overview

The Abbotsford Business Licences office is a vital administrative division located within the Planning and Development Services department at Abbotsford City Hall. Situated in the heart of the Civic Precinct on South Fraser Way, this office is responsible for regulating business activities to ensure the safety, order, and economic vitality of the community. A business licence is legally required for any operation providing professional, personal, or commercial services for gain or profit within the City of Abbotsford, including home-based businesses and commercial tenancies.

Licensing Services and Mandate

The primary function of this division is to process applications and issue licences in accordance with the Business Licence Bylaw. The licensing process serves as a critical checkpoint to verify that business locations meet all necessary regulatory standards:

Zoning Compliance: Ensuring the proposed business activity is permitted in the specific zone (e.g., commercial, industrial, or residential for home-based businesses).
Safety Inspections: Coordinating referrals to the Building Department and Fire Rescue Service to ensure premises meet the BC Building Code and Fire Code standards.
Health Approvals: Liaising with Fraser Health for businesses involving food service, personal care, or child care to ensure public health standards are maintained.

Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL)

For mobile businesses that operate across multiple jurisdictions-such as construction contractors, caterers, and towing services-the City of Abbotsford offers the Inter-Municipal Business Licence (IMBL). This collaborative program streamlines the regulatory burden by allowing eligible businesses to purchase a single add-on licence (typically $250) that authorizes operations in participating municipalities, including Mission, Chilliwack, Delta, Langley, Surrey, and others. This eliminates the need to purchase separate non-resident licences for each city.

Digital Services and MyCity

The City of Abbotsford encourages the use of its MyCity online portal, which provides 24/7 access to business licence services. Through this secure platform, business owners can renew existing licences, pay fees using a credit card (an option not available at the front counter), and print their licence documents immediately upon payment. The portal also allows users to update account details and track the status of applications.

Visiting City Hall

For those requiring in-person assistance, the Business Licences counter is located on the main floor of City Hall. The staff provide guidance on complex applications, such as those requiring variance permits or police information checks. The facility is designed to be inclusive, offering full wheelchair accessibility, elevators to upper levels, and accessible washrooms. Visitors should note that while the counter accepts cash, cheques, and debit cards, credit card payments for licences are primarily processed online to reduce transaction fees.