---
title: Armstrong home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home?"
place: Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/armstrong
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Armstrong
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/home-based-business.json"
---

# Armstrong home-based business rules

**Question:** Can I run a business from my home?

**Short answer:** Yes, where the zone allows a home occupation. In the City of Armstrong you need a business licence. In residential zones the business may use at most 25% of the dwelling's floor area (up to 45 m²), have no more than two client visits at a time, and employ only residents.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Armstrong, https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca)  
**Cost:** New licence: $110 application fee, $88 inspection fee and $35 annual fee for a residential location ($17.50 if started after July 31).  
**How long:** Not stated on the City's page.  
**Where:**
- In person: Armstrong City Hall, 3535 Bridge Street, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0
- Phone: City Hall, 250-546-3023
- Email: Manager of Planning Services (zoning questions), planner@cityofarmstrong.bc.ca

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes. A home occupation (a business run by a resident of the dwelling) is an accessory use in the A.1, CR.1, R.1, R.2, RA.1, RMP, C.1 and C.3 zones, and in residential zones must meet the conditions in zoning bylaw s. 4.2.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024, s. 2, 4.2.1, 8.1.2, 9.1.2](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358)
  - Official wording: "HOME OCCUPATION means the accessory use of a dwelling unit for a business by a resident" … "Where a Home Occupation is permitted within a Residential zone, the following" … "Home Occupations" … "Town Centre Commercial (C.1)" … "Neighbourhood Commercial (C.3)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. A home-based business needs a business licence. New: $110 application, $88 inspection and $35 annual fee for a residential location ($17.50 if started after July 31).
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1845, 2019, s. 3(a), 13(b)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/126621)
  - Official wording: "Every business entity who owns or operates any business within the City will apply for," … "Residential Location:" … "Residential location annual fee"
  - Source: [Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1916, 2023 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 1947, 2026), Schedule 4](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/172744)
  - Official wording: "Application Fee (one-time for new applications) $ 110.00" … "Inspection Fee (new applications) $ 88.00" … "Annual Licence Fee $ 35.00"
  - Source: [Business License Application, Application form](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/153733)
  - Official wording: "Annual Armstrong License Fee – Residential Location $35.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** Business must be wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building, stay residential in appearance, employ only residents, have no more than two client visits at a time, and use at most 25% of the dwelling's floor area up to 45 m². One extra parking space when the public attends. Sign allowed per the Sign Bylaw; no nuisance.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024, s. 4.2.1](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358)
  - Official wording: "The Home Occupation must be carried out wholly within the dwelling unit" … "Only persons residing in the dwelling unit shall be employed in the Home" … "The Home Occupation shall not generate more than two client visits at a" … "is 25% of the total floor area of the principal dwelling to a maximum of" … "45m²;" … "1 in addition to that required for the dwelling unit(s)," … "when public will be in attendance at the property."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses not allowed:** Prohibited: exterior storage; business activity outside the home or accessory building; selling or displaying goods not made on the premises (except mail or phone orders or goods customers do not pick up); serving and consuming food; parking commercial vehicles over 7,000 kg or heavy industrial equipment.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024, s. 4.2.2](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358)
  - Official wording: "Exterior storage;" … "Business activities outside the principal or accessory use building;" … "Serving and consumption of foodstuffs;" … "On site parking of commercial vehicles larger than 7000 kg" … "On site parking of heavy industrial equipment."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024 (s. 4.2); Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1845, 2019
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024, s. 1.1.1](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw shall be referred to as “Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024”."
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1845, 2019, s. 1](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/126621)
  - Official wording: "The City of Armstrong Business Licensing and Regulation" … "Bylaw Number 1845"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the City of Armstrong's [Zoning Bylaw 1921, 2024](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358), a home occupation (a business run by a resident of the dwelling) is an accessory use in the A.1, CR.1, R.1, R.2, RA.1, RMP, C.1 and C.3 zones. In residential zones it must meet the conditions in section 4.2. A home business also needs a City business licence.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone with Planning.
2. Fill in the Business License Application and initial the home-based business section. Renters need the owner's or manager's permission.
3. Deliver the form and fees to City Hall.

## Good to know

- The business must be wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building and keep a residential appearance. A sign is allowed under the Sign Bylaw. No nuisance.
- One extra parking space is needed when the public attends.
- Not allowed: exterior storage; business activity outside the home or accessory building; selling or displaying goods not made on the premises (except mail or phone orders or goods customers do not pick up); serving and consuming food; parking commercial vehicles over 7,000 kg or heavy industrial equipment.
- Strata bylaws and building schemes may restrict or prohibit a home business.

## What you'll need

- Business License Application with the home-based business section initialled
- Permission from the owner or manager if you rent

## Official forms and pages

- [Business License Application (PDF)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/153733)
- [Zoning Bylaw 1921, section 4.2 Home Occupations (PDF)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358)
- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw 1845 (PDF)](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/126621)

## Related questions

- [Armstrong business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/business-licence.md)
- [Armstrong zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/home-based-business.md)
- [Enderby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/home-based-business.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/home-based-business.md)
- [Coldstream](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/home-based-business.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/home-based-business.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1921, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/181358) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business License Application (PDF), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/153733) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1845, 2019 (PDF), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/126621) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1916, 2023 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 1947, 2026), City of Armstrong](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/172744) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Armstrong. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/home-based-business/_