Today after class I went to the Vancouver City Hall located on 453 West 12th Avenue (Cambie & 12th). I had been postponing my trip to get my municipal license for PGTC because I had just recently started up and did not think it was immediately needed. However, having registered my business through OneStop, the quickest way to start a business known to mankind, I received an e-mail saying, “It’s time to register or else…” As you may all know, my fear for pissing off the government led me to flee to the warzone that the Canada line has created along Cambie.
When I got there, there was a LOT of traffic! The best place to try to park is one street east of Cambie (I am not sure what that street is called) where it is much quieter. If you take the east entrance to the building (which is where I always enter from due to my choice of parking), take a quick right and take the elevator to the second floor. Once you are there, take a left and go straight down the hall. The receptionists for municipal licenses should be to your left.
Please remember to take your photo ID (and an additional piece just in case, although they rarely ask), your business number (if you are a sole proprietorship or partnership) or incorporation number (if you are incorporated), and a proof of address of where you live (for home-based businesses) and where your business is or will be located. For those of you who registered your business through OneStop, remember to bring the sheet that they e-mailed you to print out. For others who went another route, the nice receptionists will give you two sheets to fill out that should only take about 5 to 10 minutes. In most cases, after the whole process is done, they will print and give you the municipal license on the day of.
I find the service quite quick and efficient. Most of the ladies I have encountered were all very nice and helpful. For those of you who want to know how much a business license will run you, on average it will be around 110 to 150. I believe it depends on where your business will be located. This fee will have to be paid annually.
So in conclusion, I forget why I postponed the task for so long! It was so quick and simple that I should have had it dealt with as soon as I could. For any of you who still have to deal with this issue, do not be afraid! Just get the task over with and you will have one thing less on your to do list.
I recently came upon a website that enables you to obtain online every city, county, and state business license all over the U.S.! Their website is http://www.businesslicenses.com or as they advertise Get Every Business License Online 800-679-3611 from a California Business License to a Florida Occupational License or a Washington state Business License and all other states in-between.
Enjoy and Good luck!