Burnaby home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home?
Short answer
Yes. In Burnaby a home occupation is allowed in the R1 to R8 districts (and P2 and A1) if it meets the zoning rules, and every home-based business needs a business licence. The initial fee is $422, plus a $55 application fee. Renewal is $145, or $89 for craft.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes. A home occupation is an accessory use in the R1 to R8 residential districts (and P2 and A1), if it meets the zoning rules. The City's licence page allows home-based businesses at approved residential locations except mobile home parks.Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated, Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 3 use tables; Part 6 s. 3.4; Business Licences, Business Licences page, "home-based business licence" · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHome Occupation Part 6-3.4 1.8 HIGH-RISE APARTMENT 2 DISTRICT (R8) You can operate a home-based business out of approved residential locations in Burnaby, except mobile home parks. |
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| Business licence | Yes, every home-based business needs a business licence. Initial fee $422; renewal $145 for general or contractor businesses, $89 for craft. A $55 application fee also applies.Business Licences, Business Licences page; Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485, Schedule A2, Schedule A2 - Business Licence Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAll businesses in Burnaby, whether commercial, home-based or a residential rental (including short-term rentals), require a valid business licence. Home Based Business - General $422.00 $145.00 $145.00 Home Based Business - Craft $422.00 $89.00 $89.00 Home Based Business - Contractor $422.00 $145.00 $145.00 Application fee $55.00 |
| Limits | No structural changes or outward sign of business; no outside storage; no goods made off-site sold there; no mechanical equipment beyond household or hobby use; only residents may work there. On-site sales and client services: one customer and one customer vehicle at a time. No noise, dust, odour or traffic beyond a dwelling.Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 6 Use-Specific Regulations, Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 6 s. 3.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA home occupation shall involve no internal or external structural alterations to the principal building There shall be no external storage of materials, containers, or finished product. No commodity produced off-site shall be sold on the premises. No person who is not a resident in the dwelling shall perform any work for the home occupation On-site sales and client services shall be limited to a maximum of one customer and one customer vehicle at any one time. shall not produce noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odour, litter or heat other than that normally |
| Businesses not allowed | Welding, manufacturing or any other light industrial use (small-batch crafting in an artist studio is allowed). In a home with a secondary suite, no home occupation with on-site client services. Home-based child care, boarding and short-term rental have their own rules.Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 6 Use-Specific Regulations, Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 6 s. 3.4(2) and s. 3.1(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingbut shall not be used for welding or any other manufacturing or light industrial use a home occupation that includes on-site client services. |
| Bylaw | Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 (No. 14815), Part 6 s. 3.4 Home Occupation; Burnaby Business Licence Bylaw 2017 (No. 13809)Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 6 Use-Specific Regulations; Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF), title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingterm tenant for a period of 30 consecutive days or more. 3.4 Home Occupation (1) A home occupation shall involve no internal or external structural alterations to the principal building Business Licence Bylaw 2017 Bylaw No. 13809 |
How it works
The Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 6 section 3.4, allows a home occupation as an accessory use in the R1 to R8 districts (and P2 and A1). The City's licence page allows home-based businesses at approved residential locations, except mobile home parks. Under the Business Licence Bylaw, you still need a licence.
Steps
- Check with Planning (604-294-7944, planning@burnaby.ca) that your home's zoning allows the use.
- Complete the Business Licence Application and email it to licence@burnaby.ca, or apply with a My Property account.
- Pay the $55 application fee and the $422 first-year fee.
- Renew every year ($145, or $89 for craft).
Good to know
- No structural changes or outward sign of the business, no outside storage, and no selling goods made off-site.
- No mechanical equipment beyond household or hobby use, and no noise, dust, odour or traffic beyond a dwelling.
- Only residents may work there (one non-resident employee is allowed only for home-based child care).
- On-site sales and client services are limited to one customer and one customer vehicle at a time.
- Not allowed: welding, manufacturing or other light industrial use (small-batch crafting in an artist studio is allowed). In a home with a secondary suite, no home occupation with on-site client services.
- In R1 to R8, commercial vehicles cannot be parked in the open except one truck up to 4,500 kg in the rear yard, vehicles needed for work on the premises, and wrecked vehicles up to 30 days.
- Home-based child care, boarding and short-term rental have their own rules.
What you'll need
- Business Licence Application (PDF) for a home or office-based business
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
New Westminster · Richmond · Port Moody · Belcarra · Coquitlam · Port Coquitlam
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licences, City of Burnaby (read 2026-11-05)
- Burnaby Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw 14485 (PDF), Schedule A2 (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licence Bylaw 2017, No. 13809 (consolidated PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026, Part 6 Use-Specific Regulations (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Burnaby Zoning Bylaw 2026 consolidated (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw, City of Burnaby (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. How answers are checked.