---
title: Coldstream home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home in Coldstream?"
place: Coldstream, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/coldstream
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Coldstream
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/home-based-business.json"
---

# Coldstream home-based business rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In Coldstream an urban home-based business is permitted in all Residential zones (a home office only in apartments), and a rural one in all Rural zones. It must run from your principal residence, and you need a District business licence.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Coldstream, https://www.coldstream.ca)  
**Cost:** A business licence, by class. For example Home Crafts $60, General Business Office $70, Professional Practitioners $110, Unclassified $85.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- Online: Business License Application, https://www.coldstream.ca/form/business-license-application
- Phone: Planning and Development, 250-545-5304
- Email: Planning and Development, planner@coldstream.ca
- Phone: Bylaw Compliance, 250-550-1503
- In person: Municipal Hall, 9901 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream, BC V1B 1L6 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes. An urban home-based business is permitted in all Residential zones (limited to a home office in apartments), and a rural one in all Rural zones. It must be accessory to the home and run by the registered owner or a tenant from their principal residence.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, ss. 301.6, 301.7](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "A Home-Based Business, Rural is permitted in all Rural zones, provided that:" … "A Home-Based Business, Urban is permitted in all Residential zones provided that:" … "the use is restricted to the occupant of the lot, which serves as their Principal Residence and fixed address;" … "An Urban Home-Based Business use in an Apartment is restricted to the following, with"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. A District business licence is required, including for home-based and agricultural businesses. Fees depend on the class, for example Home Crafts $60, General Business Office $70, Professional Practitioners $110, Unclassified $85.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, s. 301.7(1)(b)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "the use is permitted under an approved Business Licence issued by the District;"
  - Source: [Business Licenses, Business Licenses page](https://www.coldstream.ca/businesslicense)
  - Official wording: "If you are operating a business in Coldstream, even a home based or agricultural business, you need to apply for a business license with the District."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, Sched. A](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/)
  - Official wording: "20 240 General Business Office 70.00 25 230 Home Crafts 60.00 30 300 Janitorial/Cleaning Service 70.00" … "18 130 • Restaurant (licenced) 125.00 20 240 General Business Office 70.00 25 230 Home Crafts 60.00" … "45 600 • Nightclubs, Lounges 250.00 46 610 • Pubs 250.00 50 615 Photographers 80.00 55 700 Professional Practitioners 110.00" … "70 1000 Service and Repair 85.00 75 1100 Salesperson 90.00 80 1105 Salon - Barber, Beauty 85.00 90 9999 Unclassified 85.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** Urban: up to 47 m², indoors, no outdoor storage, no employees besides owner or tenant, no customers unless the licence allows, noise 50 dBA, 1 parking space. Rural: up to 90 m², 2 employees, no outdoor storage (farm use excepted), 70 dBA, 2 parking spaces. Sign: one window sign, 0.25 m² maximum, not lit.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, ss. 301.6, 301.7, 321.5](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "the use must not exceed 47 m2, excluding: (*2)" … "no employees permitted, except for the registered owner of the lot or a tenant of the Dwelling Unit;" … "no customers or clients are permitted on the premises in conjunction with the use." … "a noise decibel limit not exceeding 50 DBA for an 8-hour period or less;" … "the use does not have more than 2 employees;" … "the use does not exceed 90 m2 within:" … "(a) 1 parking space for Home-Based Business, Urban" … "HOME-BUSINESS SIGNAGE means a window sign advertising a permitted Home-Based Business." … "(f) Home-Business 0.25 m2 (*2)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses not allowed:** Not allowed (urban and rural): an industrial use, and repair, sales, maintenance or servicing of motor vehicles. Urban also bars shipping containers for storage. Rural also bars storage and mini-storage of motor vehicles and shipping containers used for mini-storage.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, ss. 301.6(1)(i), 301.7(1)(j)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "an industrial use;" … "repair, sales, maintenance, and/or servicing of any and all Motor Vehicles; and" … "the use of a Shipping Container for storage." … "storage, mini-storage, repair, sales, maintenance, and/or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (ss. 301.6 and 301.7); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, title](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, title](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Zoning Bylaw](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/) (ss. 301.6 and 301.7) permits an urban home-based business in all Residential zones (limited to a home office in apartments) and a rural one in all Rural zones. It must be accessory to the home and run by the registered owner or a tenant from their principal residence. A tenant needs the registered owner's written permission with the licence application.

| | Urban | Rural |
|---|---|---|
| Size | up to 47 m², indoors | up to 90 m² |
| Employees | none besides owner or tenant | 2 |
| Outdoor storage | none | none (farm use excepted) |
| Customers | none unless the licence allows | not stated here |
| Noise | 50 dBA | 70 dBA |
| Parking | 1 space | 2 spaces |

Signs: one window sign, 0.25 m² maximum, not lit.

A District business licence is required, including for home-based and agricultural businesses. Fees depend on the class under the [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/).

## Steps

1. Check that your zone allows a home-based business.
2. Make sure your business fits the size, employee, storage, noise and parking limits.
3. Apply for the business licence using the online form.
4. Renew each year; licences run January 1 to December 31.

## Good to know

- Not allowed in urban or rural settings: an industrial use, and repair, sales, maintenance or servicing of motor vehicles. Urban also bars shipping containers for storage. Rural also bars storage and mini-storage of motor vehicles and shipping containers used for mini-storage.
- No parking space is required for a home office with no customers or clients on site.
- One vehicle or cargo trailer up to 6 m long may be stored on the driveway (urban).
- Licensed childcare has separate rules (up to 90 m², outdoor play area in rear yard).
- Breaking the home-based business rules: a bylaw notice is $100 ($50 early, $150 late), and a municipal ticket is $125.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business License Application](https://www.coldstream.ca/form/business-license-application)
- [Business Licenses, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/businesslicense)

## Related questions

- [Coldstream business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/business-licence.md)
- [Coldstream zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Coldstream short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/short-term-rental.md)
- [Coldstream bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/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)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/home-based-business.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/home-based-business.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, District of Coldstream](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, District of Coldstream](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/194/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licenses, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/businesslicense) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, District of Coldstream](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/11456/) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Coldstream. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/home-based-business/_