Central Saanich home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home?
In Central Saanich you can run a home occupation if the family living in the dwelling runs it and it meets the zoning limits. You also need a District business licence, with a $50 new application fee. Renewal is free.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes, as an accessory 'Home Occupation' run by family living in the dwelling. Major home occupations are listed in R-C, R-N, R-NS and R-T zones; Minor in R-TA and R-A; Rural in the Agriculture and rural zones (A, RU-A, RU-F, RU-FW, RU-S).Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026, s. 5.4; zones 6.2, 6.22-6.29 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHome Occupation - Major in accordance with Section 5.4. Home Occupation - Minor in accordance with Section 5.4. Home Occupation - Rural in accordance with Section 5.4 must be operated by a member, or members of the Family residing in the Dwelling Unit in which the Home Occupation is carried out. |
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| Business licence | Yes. A business licence is required for home businesses. New application fee $50 (Home Based). Annual renewal is free but you must submit the renewal form; a $50 late renewal fee applies after 60 days.Business Licence; Business Licence Bylaw No. 2166, s. 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis applies to all retail, commercial and industrial establishments, professional firms and home businesses. | Home Based | $ 50 | $50 There is no charge for annual renewals, however you must submit your renewal application on this form. Where a license for a business is not renewed within sixty (60) days after its expiry date |
| Limits | Major (most residential zones): family residing in the dwelling runs it; one non-resident employee; two patrons at a time; up to 25% of the dwelling and accessory building, max 50 m²; no outdoor storage or exterior sign of the business. Minor: no employees or patrons, in the dwelling only, up to 50%. Rural: 100 m².Sources differ: The bylaw's table columns run together in the text. As read: employee limit is none (Minor), one (Major) and two (Rural); patrons none (Minor), two at a time (Major and Rural). Noise, odour, vibration and glare must not be detectable off site; bulk deliveries by commercial vehicles are not allowed. Parking: 1 space per employee and/or per patron (Part 7). The Business Licence page says 25% of the dwelling and an accessory building under 90 m², which matches the Business Licence Bylaw definition but differs from the zoning caps (50 m² and 100 m²).Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026, s. 5.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThere shall be no exterior indication of the Home Occupation, including but not limited to Outdoor Storage, displays, or No person other One person Two persons No patrons are Only two patrons are No more than 50% of 25% of the Dwelling maximum of 50 m². maximum of 100 m². 1 space per employee and/or |
| Businesses not allowed | Retail sales of off-site products (except mail, online or phone orders where customers do not visit), composting for sale, and any business that gives off noise, odour, smoke or fumes detectable outside. Child care homes follow the Community Care and Assisted Living Act.Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026, s. 5.4, 5.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingRetail sales of off-site products are not permitted, except for mail, online, or telephone orders where customers do not visit the premises, or for products that are incidental to the service provided. the production of compost is not a permitted Home Occupation. The Home Occupation shall not generate vibration, noise, heat, glare, |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026 (s. 5.4 Home Occupations) and Business Licence Bylaw No. 2166Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026, s. 5.4; Business Licence Bylaw No. 2166, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingCentral Saanich Zoning Bylaw No. 2270 Central Saanich Business License Bylaw No. 2166 |
How it works
The Zoning Bylaw No. 2270 (s. 5.4) allows a "Home Occupation" as an accessory use, run by family living in the dwelling. Major home occupations are listed in the R-C, R-N, R-NS and R-T zones; Minor in R-TA and R-A; Rural in the Agriculture and rural zones. Check your own zone.
Limits for a Major home occupation (most residential zones): one non-resident employee, two patrons at a time, up to 25% of the dwelling and accessory building (maximum 50 m²), and no outdoor storage or exterior sign. A Minor one has no employees or patrons, is in the dwelling only, and may use up to 50%. A Rural one is up to 100 m².
Noise, odour, vibration and glare must not be detectable off site, and bulk deliveries by commercial vehicles are not allowed. Parking is 1 space per employee and/or per patron.
Steps
- Check your zone and the limits above.
- Apply for a business licence. The new application fee for a Home Based business is $50 (see the business-licence answer).
- Renew each year by submitting the renewal form. Renewal is free; a $50 late fee applies after 60 days.
Good to know
- Not allowed: retail sales of off-site products (except mail, online or phone orders where customers do not visit), composting for sale, and any business giving off noise, odour, smoke or fumes detectable outside. This is not a full list.
- Child care homes follow the Community Care and Assisted Living Act.
- A business licence is not issued for a property with bylaw infractions, including an unauthorized secondary suite.
- The Business Licence page describes the size limit as 25% of the dwelling and an accessory building under 90 m², which differs from the zoning caps (50 m² and 100 m²). Confirm with Planning.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sidney · North Saanich · Highlands · Saanich · View Royal · Esquimalt
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licence, District of Central Saanich (read 2026-11-06)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 2270, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 2166 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
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.