Burnaby, British Columbia

How do I look up a business licence in Burnaby?

Businesses operating in Burnaby need a City of Burnaby business licence. The city publishes licence information on burnaby.ca; a check takes a few minutes, and the BC steps follow.

The free steps

  1. 1. Start with the exact name on the quote

    Write down the business name exactly as the quote prints it, including Ltd., Inc. or a number. A trade name, a numbered company and a sole proprietorship can all be registered under other words, so if a search shows nothing, ask the contractor which name and number appear on their registration or licence before you read anything into it.

  2. 2. Open the City of Burnaby's licence pages

    Search "business licence" on burnaby.ca to reach the city's licence pages and its lookup. Search the exact name on the quote, then the trade name if the quote shows one.

    Official source: burnaby.ca (search "business licence") (City of Burnaby; checked 2026-10-20).

  3. 3. Read the licence type and the expiry

    A licence names the business, the type of work it covers and the year it is valid for. A type that does not match the quote, or an expired licence, is a question to ask, not a conclusion.

  4. 4. Match it to the BC registry

    The licensed name should match the registered name or trade name on OrgBook BC and the name on your quote. Three names that do not line up are the first question to ask.

    Official source: OrgBook BC: search registered BC organizations (BC Registries, through OrgBook BC; checked 2026-10-20).

  5. 5. Electrical or gas work: check Technical Safety BC

    Electrical and gas contractors in BC are licensed by Technical Safety BC; its find-a-licensed-contractor search shows the class and status.

    Official source: Find a licensed contractor (Technical Safety BC; checked 2026-10-20).

  6. 6. If nothing comes up

    A business based in Vancouver, Coquitlam or New Westminster may hold its licence there and work across the region. Ask which city issued the licence and the licence number.

Every step for a contractor in Burnaby

Questions people ask

Does a Burnaby business licence mean the work is inspected?

No. The licence is permission to operate a business in the city. Building permits and inspections are separate, and electrical and gas work has its own regulator.

Or ask Jay

Jay does these steps for you and writes up what the records show, with the source and date for each finding. The $39 Full Check (no tax added) also reads your quote and insurance papers, and a person reviews every Full Check before it goes out. The $19 Quick Check is opening soon.

Order a Full CheckSee a sample Full Check

Three quotes. One Jay check. Then the deposit.

Information, not a verdict. A record that is not found is not evidence of wrongdoing, and nothing here is legal, insurance or safety advice.

Published 2026-10-20; sources last checked on the dates shown beside each step.