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All businesses in Vancouver require a licence to operate. This ensures that all business locations are safe and meet land-use requirements. The Business Licence Office issues about 50,000 business licenses and 100,000 permits every year. A business licence can be obtained from the City's Licence Office and is valid for the remainder of the calendar year unless stated otherwise. The Licence By-Law No. 4450 regulates the licensing of business, trade, professions, and other occupations with the City of Vancouver. All persons and companies doing business in the City of Vancouver need to be licensed, including: Each location operated by a business in the city; Persons and companies based out-of-town and doing business in the city; Home-based businesses (for example, professionals working from a home office); Employees do not need a business licence.

This dataset identifies current and previously licensed businesses and trades. The following information are included: business name, business trade name, status, license issue date and expire date, business type, business location, and others. The types of businesses that require a business licence include:

• Commercial and industrial business: a business based within a building located in a commercial or industrial area of the City of Vancouver as defined in the Zoning and Development By-law.
• Home-based business: a business based in a dwelling located in a residential area in the City of Vancouver as defined in the Zoning and Development By-law.
• Out-of-town business: a business being carried on in the City of Vancouver, but with the business office located outside of Vancouver.

The City of Vancouver share with everyone its open and accessible datasets while adhering to rights of privacy, and publish datasets allowing everyone to develop digital applications that may improve government transparency and public participation, enhance access to City services, and ultimately strengthen democracy and contribute to a more liveable city.