{"title":"Abbotsford home-based business rules","question":"Can I run a business from my home?","slug":"home-based-business","place":{"path":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"business","name":"Starting and running a business"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Abbotsford","url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in Abbotsford, where your zone lists a home occupation as an accessory use. It needs a City business licence ($130 a year, plus a $25 administration fee for a new application) and must follow the Zoning Bylaw's four levels of home occupation, which limit size, employees, signs and customers.","aliases":["home occupation abbotsford","home business licence abbotsford","work from home business abbotsford","home based business rules abbotsford"],"cost":"$130 a year for an accessory home occupation licence, plus a $25 administration fee for a new application. Farm equipment repair as a home occupation is $303. The fee, less the administration fee, is refunded if requested within 3 months of issue.","how_long":"Allow a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks for a business licence. Valid for 12 months.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"New Business Licence Application","value":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences/application"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licence Division","value":"604-864-5525"},{"type":"email","label":"Business Licence Division","value":"businesslicence@abbotsford.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 (s. 140.3.5 Home Occupation)","url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw 1551-2006","url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw"},{"title":"2025 Home Occupation Information (scanned PDF, not read)","url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2025-07/2025%20Home%20Occupation%20Information.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Abbotsford business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/business-licence/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Abbotsford short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Abbotsford zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pitt-meadows","name":"Pitt Meadows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/home-based-business/"}],"topic":{"title":"Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business/"},"facts":{"allowed":{"label":"Allowed","value":"Yes, where the zone lists a home occupation as an accessory use, at the level it names (Level 1 to 4). Examples: RS1 and RS3 allow Level 2; SSMUH 1 allows Levels 1 and 2; RS6 allows Level 1; RR allows Level 3 outside the ALR. Check your zone.","short":"Yes, where zone lists it (Levels 1 to 4)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400350","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 350 Urban Residential Zone (RS3)","section":"s. 350.1 (RS3)","quotes":[".7 Home Occupation – Level 2"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400340","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400340","section":"s. 340.1 (RS1)","quotes":[".7 Home Occupation Use – Level 2"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","section":"s. 351.1 (SSMUH 1)","quotes":[".10 Home Occupation – Level 1",".11 Home Occupation – Level 2"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400380","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400380","section":"s. 380.1 (RS6)","quotes":[".5 Home Occupation – Level 1"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400310","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 310 Rural Residential Zone (RR)","section":"s. 310.1 (RR)","quotes":[".10 Home Occupation - Level 3, on a Lot outside the Agricultural Land Reserve"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.3.5(a)","quotes":["Where permitted, all Home Occupation – Level 1 Uses shall:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. An accessory home occupation licence costs $130 a year, plus a $25 administration fee for a new application. The fee, less the admin fee, is refunded if asked for within 3 months of issue. Home business signs need no sign permit but must follow the Sign Bylaw.","short":"Yes: $130 a year plus $25 admin fee (new)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006 (consolidated, last amended July 15, 2025)","section":"Schedule B; s. 6.2, 6.7, 11.1","quotes":["Accessory $130.00 Home Occupation","Administration fee; additional copy of an issued licences $25.00","shall be refunded to the licence holder where the","An accessory home occupation business shall comply with Section 140.2.3 of the City of"]},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, City of Abbotsford","section":"Business Licences page","quotes":["Signs for home-based businesses do not require permits, but must comply with the regulations as outlined for Identification Signs in the Sign Bylaw No. 3429-2023."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Level 1: inside the dwelling, residents only, no customer visits, no signs. Level 2: up to 50 m², one non-resident employee, one 0.4 m² sign. Levels 3 and 4: up to 112 m², two non-resident employees, one 1.2 m² sign. No outside storage at any level; parking for employees at Levels 2 to 4.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.3.5(a)-(d)","quotes":["not generate customer visits; and","limit the size to a floor area of 50 m2;","be carried out exclusively by a Resident of the principal Dwelling Unit in","not more than one non-Resident employee","have a maximum of one sign, with a maximum area of 0.4 m2.","limit the size to a floor area of 112 m2;","not more than two non-Resident employees","have a maximum of one sign, with a maximum area of 1.2 m2.","not have outside storage of materials, commodities, or finished products;"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400150","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 150 Parking","section":"s. 150.3, Table 1","quotes":["Level 2 – 1 additional Parking Space for a non-Resident","Level 3 and 4 – 2 additional Parking Spaces for non-"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_allowed":{"label":"Businesses not allowed","value":"No repair or maintenance of automobiles, recreational vehicles or commercial vehicles at Levels 2 to 4 (farm vehicle repair only in agricultural zones at Levels 3 and 4). Level 4 may not dispatch automobiles or commercial vehicles. A boarding house cannot run on the same lot as a home occupation.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.3.5(b)-(d), 140.3.3","quotes":["not include the repair or maintenance of automobiles, farm vehicles,","not include the dispatch of automobiles or Commercial Vehicles;","limit commercial repair and maintenance of farm motor vehicles, farm equipment","Residential Care, Supported Housing or a Home Occupation"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw, 2014 (Bylaw No. 2400-2014), s. 140.3.5 (Home Occupation); Business Licence Bylaw, 2006 (Bylaw No. 1551-2006), s. 11.1 and Schedule B.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.3.5","quotes":["Home Occupation (B/L 3246-2022)"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006 (consolidated, last amended July 15, 2025)","section":"s. 11.1","quotes":["P ART 11 - S PECIFIC R EGULATIONS Accessory Home Occupation 11.1 An accessory home occupation business shall comply with Section 140.2.3 of the City of","Business Licence Bylaw, 2006 Bylaw No. 1551-2006 [Consolidated and printed by authority of the Corporate Officer under section 139 of the Community Charter. Includes amendment bylaws"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Abbotsford's [Zoning Bylaw](https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140) (s. 140.3.5) allows a home occupation where your zone lists it as an accessory use, at the level it names (Level 1 to 4). For example, RS1 and RS3 allow Level 2; SSMUH 1 allows Levels 1 and 2; RS6 allows Level 1; RR allows Level 3 outside the Agricultural Land Reserve. Check your zone. Level 1 is also allowed, by residents only, inside a secondary suite, garden suite or coach house.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and read which level it allows.\n2. Apply online for a business licence using the accessory home occupation type.\n3. Pay the $130 fee and the $25 administration fee. The City may contact you if it needs more documents.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Level 1:** inside the dwelling, residents only, no customer visits, no signs.\n- **Level 2:** up to 50 m², one non-resident employee, one 0.4 m² sign.\n- **Levels 3 and 4:** up to 112 m², two non-resident employees, one 1.2 m² sign.\n- No outside storage at any level. Levels 2 to 4 need parking for employees and must not cause offensive noise, vibration, traffic, smoke, dust, odours, heat, glare or interference, or change the home's residential look.\n- Levels 2 to 4 may not repair or maintain automobiles, recreational vehicles or commercial vehicles (farm vehicle repair is allowed only in agricultural zones at Levels 3 and 4). Level 4 may not dispatch vehicles.\n- A boarding house cannot run on the same lot. Home child care cannot run on a lot with a Level 2 or higher home occupation.\n- Home business signs need no sign permit but must follow the Sign Bylaw.\n- The City's 2025 Home Occupation Information PDF is a scanned image and was not read. The Business Licence Bylaw cites an older zoning section number; the rules are in s. 140.3.5.","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, City of Abbotsford","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1551bylaw","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1551-2006 (consolidated, last amended July 15, 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400150","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 150 Parking","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400350","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 350 Urban Residential Zone (RS3)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400340","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400340","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400380","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400380","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400310","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 310 Rural Residential Zone (RR)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/home-based-business/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/home-based-business.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/home-based-business.json"}}