Clearwater home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home?
Yes, in Clearwater a home based business is allowed in the RL-1, SH-1, CR-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, MHP-1 and MX-1 zones if it meets the Zoning Bylaw rules. You also need a District business licence, $100 a year.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes, as an accessory use in the RL-1, SH-1, CR-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, MHP-1 and MX-1 zones, if it meets s. 5.18. In the R-3 zone there may be no non-resident employees and no customers at the premises.Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025), s. 5.18; zones · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingHome based business where expressly permitted in this Bylaw as an accessory use must: e) home based business; and f) secondary suite. home based business subject to there being no non-resident employees and no customers b) accessory building; c) home based business; d) amenity areas for the use of the manufactured home park v) accessory building; w) secondary suite; and x) home based business. |
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| Business licence | Yes. Anyone carrying on a business in the District must hold a licence. Home based business (services, contractors, professional services): $100 a year, halved for a licence obtained after July 31.Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019), s. 3.1; Schedule A, category 5 and s. 2(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA person must not engage in or carry on a business within the District unless that 5. HOME BASED BUSINESS Services, Contractors, Professional Services $100.00 by 50% for a person who obtains a Licence after July 31st in any year; |
| Limits | Carried out primarily by residents, inside the dwelling; no more than one non-resident full-time employee or two part-time; no exterior change to the building except a sign; no outside storage or operations (except greenhouse, agriculture, nursery); no noise, dust, smell or nuisance; 1 customer parking space (Table 3).Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025), s. 5.18(a)-(e); Table 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinga) be carried out primarily by residents of the property and except as specifically permitted b) have no more than one non-resident full time employee or two part-time d) have no exterior storage of materials or commodities on the subject lot and no exterior Home Based Business 1 customer parking space |
| Businesses not allowed | Vehicle, engine, heavy equipment, trailer or boat sale, repair or servicing; trucking or commercial storage; sawmills; industrial or hazardous use; welding; stables, commercial kennels, animal breeding; retail or wholesale of goods not produced on the lot; pawnbrokers and resale outlets; dry cleaning or laundry; restaurants, pubs, assembly or entertainment; cannabis retail.Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025), s. 5.18(f) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingf) not involve any of the following uses or associated activities: v. welding; vii. retail or wholesale of goods not produced on the lot; xi. cannabis retail. |
| Bylaw | District of Clearwater Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016, s. 5.18; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025), cover; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingZONING BYLAW NO. 133, 2016 District of Clearwater Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 |
How it works
The Zoning Bylaw No. 133 allows a home based business as an accessory use in the RL-1, SH-1, CR-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, MHP-1 and MX-1 zones. In the R-3 zone there may be no non-resident employees and no customers at the premises.
A home based business is an occupation, craft or profession carried out primarily by residents as an accessory use. Under section 5.18 it must:
- be carried on inside the dwelling
- have no more than one non-resident full-time employee or two part-time
- make no exterior change to the building except a sign
- have no outside storage or operations (except greenhouse, agriculture and nursery)
- cause no noise, dust, smell or nuisance
- provide 1 customer parking space
Not allowed as a home based business: vehicle, engine, heavy equipment, trailer or boat sale, repair or servicing; trucking or commercial storage; sawmills; industrial or hazardous use; welding; stables, commercial kennels and animal breeding; retail or wholesale of goods not produced on the lot; pawnbrokers and resale outlets; dry cleaning or laundry; restaurants, pubs, assembly or entertainment; and cannabis retail.
Steps
- Confirm your zone allows it (see the zoning-lookup answer).
- Complete the Business Licence Application and return it with the fee to 209 Dutch Lake Road, or email admin@docbc.ca.
- Anyone carrying on a business in the District must hold a licence under the Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124.
Good to know
- Child care or preschool as a home based business is allowed up to 10 children and needs onsite parking (s. 5.19).
- We found no limit on floor area.
- Bylaw 124 is consolidated only to 2019, so the fee may have changed. Confirm with the District.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Barriere · Sun Peaks · 100 Mile House · Kamloops · Sicamous · Clinton
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 133, 2016 (PDF, consolidated to April 1, 2025) (read 2026-11-08)
- Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 124, 2014 (PDF, consolidated to Bylaw 224, 2019) (read 2026-11-08)
- Business Licenses, District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
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.