Planning and Permitting

If you are planning to open a new business or are involved in an existing enterprise in Ladysmith, there are permits you need to apply for and guidelines you need to follow. The Town offers a streamlined permitting process to ease the way.

There are two ways to access information about planning and permitting for your business – through BizPaL - or by following the individual links below to detailed information on applications, permits, and departments.

BizPal - An Online Service for Entrepreneurs

BizPaL is a new automated service to find federal, provincial, and municipal permits and applications required for your business. Follow this link to directly access this service.

BizPaL

Business Licenses

The Town of Ladysmith is pleased to offer inter-municipal business licenses with the City of Duncan, the District of North Cowichan and the Town of Lake Cowichan. Your license covers these four communities.

The cost of an annual business license is $100. After February 28th of each year, the renewal fee is $125. If you are a new business to Ladysmith and apply between July 1st and December 31st, your cost will be prorated to $50.

For more information about Town of Ladysmith Business Licenses, please refer to the “Services” section of this web site or contact City Hall at
(250) 245-6400.

Business License Application
Business License Bylaw No. 1513

Sign and Canopy

For questions or to request further information on the Sign and Canopy Bylaw, please contact the Building Inspector at (250) 245-6443.

Sign Permit Application
Sign and Canopy Bylaw #1176 – Schedule A, D, E, F
Bylaw #1335 Amendment
Bylaw #1407 Amendment

Building Permit

For questions or to request further information on building permits or the Building and Plumbing Bylaw, please contact the Building Inspector at (250) 245-6443 or visit the Building Inspection & Permits page on the “Services” section of this web site.

Building Permit Application
Building and Plumbing Bylaw
Application for Driveway Access Permit

Subdivision

For questions or to request further information on subdivisions, please contact the Approving Officer at (250) 245-6421. Engineering information related to subdivisions (engineering standards, cadastral maps, service connection applications, etc.) is available on the “Services” section of this web site.

Subdivision Bylaw #1115
Subdivision Application

Zoning

For questions or to request further information on Zoning, please contact the Development Services Department at (250) 245-6414 ext 6212.

Zoning Bylaw and Map
Zoning Amendment Application

Official Community Plan

For questions or to request further information on the Official Community Plan, please contact Development Services at (250) 245-6414 ext 6212.

Official Community Plan
Official Community Plan Bylaw
OCP Maps
OCP Amendment Application

Development Permit/ Development Variance Permit

For questions or to request further information on development permits or development variance permits, please contact the Development Services Department at (250) 245-6414 ext 6212.

Development Permit Application
Customer Guide to Development Permit Applications
Development Variance Permit Application
Customer Guide to Development Variance Permit Applications

Development Cost Charges

For questions or to request further information on development or the Development Cost Charges Bylaw, please contact the Development Services Department at (250) 245-6414 ext 6212. Engineering information (engineering standards, cadastral maps, service connection applications, etc.) is available on the “Services” section of this web site.

Development Cost Charges Bylaw #1374