TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 25, 2026 Report No. SI-26-012
TO: Council
FROM: Ter?se Finegan, Manager of Economic Development
SUBJECT: Revising the Vancouver Island Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Give three readings to Vancouver Island Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw, 2026, No. 3089; and
2. Authorize the Mayor and Corporate Officer to execute the Vancouver Island Inter-Community Business Licence Agreement on behalf of the Township of Esquimalt upon adoption of Bylaw No. 3089.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report seeks Council approval to repeal and replace the existing Inter-Community Business Licence (ICBL) Bylaw with an updated bylaw and to adopt a formal Vancouver Island ICBL Agreement to improve program clarity, strengthen enforcement, and support consistent administration across participating jurisdictions.
BACKGROUND:
Inter-Community Business Licences (ICBLs) support a coordinated regional economy by allowing eligible businesses to operate across multiple participating jurisdictions through a single licence. The program reduces administrative burden and licensing costs for businesses that provide mobile or inter-jurisdictional services, while maintaining local regulatory oversight through consistent bylaw requirements adopted by each participating jurisdiction.
The Vancouver Island ICBL program was launched in January 2020. As of July 2021, the program includes the following 14 participating jurisdictions:
City of Colwood
City of Duncan
City of Nanaimo
City of Parksville
City of Victoria
District of Sooke
District of Central Saanich
District of North Saanich
Municipality of North Cowichan
Town of Ladysmith
Town of Lake Cowichan
Town of Sidney
Town of View Royal
Township of Esquimalt
Under the ICBL framework, the fee ($170) and general licence terms are standardized, with each participating jurisdiction adopting a substantially similar bylaw to administer ...
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