Business Licences, Forms, and Permits

Fees and requirements

You can find all fees in our Fees Bylaw. The fees and requirements for business licences will depend on the type of business you plan to operate.

The annual licence fee applies to all businesses that start operating in the city before August 1 of each year. The annual fee is pro-rated by 50% from August 1 to December of the first year of licensing.

If your new business will be operating out of a commercial space, you'll be required to have building and fire inspections accepted before the business licence can be approved. The process for booking inspections will be explained after the application, floor plan, and payment have been received.

Inter-municipal business licence

If you own a business in Port Moody and work in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, you can apply for an inter-municipal business licence. The licence costs $260 for the base Port Moody licence, plus an additional $165 to allow for work across the Tri-Cities.

It's easy to apply. When filling out a business application form, simply check the box for "Inter-Municipal" under "Application Type." You don't need to buy separate licences for each city. Once approved, we'll add the inter-municipal endorsement to your existing Port Moody business licence and mail you your new inter-municipal business licence.

Mobile food truck business licence

• complete a business licence application and indicate whether you wish to operate your mobile food truck on private property or public property;
• return your completed application via email with a copy of your health permit to operate;
• call 604-469-4529 to schedule a fire inspection through Port Moody Fire Rescue;
• if you are operating the mobile food truck on public property, sign the Mobile Food Truck Licence Agreement (to be provided upon receipt of a completed business licence application); and
• provide a copy of your liability insurance (2 million dollar minimum coverage displaying the City of Port Moody as an additional insured). 

Accessory home occupation use Type I

We permit accessory home occupation use Type I in single and two-family zones only.

Type I use:

• shall be completely enclosed within a dwelling unit, and shall not alter the residential character of the area;
• shall not involve the sale of goods or the outdoor storage of material;
• shall occupy less than 20 percent of the gross floor area of the principal building and shall not exceed 46 square metres (495.2 sq. ft) in area;
• except for one unilluminated name plate, not to exceed 0.09 square metres (0.968 sq ft) in area, shall not be evident from the exterior of the building;
• shall not discharge or emit odorous, toxic or noxious matter or vapours, heat, glare, radiation, electrical interference or noise;
• shall be conducted by at least one resident of the residential use to which it is accessory, and a total of not more than 2 persons shall be employed in such use; and
• shall involve no alterations to the building other than those associated with the residential use.

Accessory home occupation use Type II

We allow accessory home occupation use Type II in multi-residential zones.

Type II use must meet the following requirements:

• the use of the premises for an accessory home occupation shall be confined to the incidental use of a telephone and records pertaining directly to that business;
• no goods are to be displayed, stored or sold on the premises;
• no alterations are to be made which change the character of the dwelling;
• no signs are to be displayed on the premises;
• the storage of vehicles or equipment associated with an accessory home occupation is not permitted on or near the lot; and
• in the case of rental premises, the business licence applicant will be required to obtain the permission of the owner of the premises before a business licence under this Section can be issued.