GovHandbook

Coldstream home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home in Coldstream?

Coldstream, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

AllowedYes. 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, ss. 301.6, 301.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Business licenceYes. 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, s. 301.7(1)(b); Business Licenses, Business Licenses page; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, Sched. A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
the use is permitted under an approved Business Licence issued by the District;
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.
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
LimitsUrban: 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, ss. 301.6, 301.7, 321.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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)
Businesses not allowedNot 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, ss. 301.6(1)(i), 301.7(1)(j) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (ss. 301.6 and 301.7); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, title; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024
Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990

How it works

The Zoning Bylaw (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.

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

The same question in other places

Vernon · Lumby · Lake Country · Spallumcheen · Armstrong · Kelowna

Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, ss. 301.6 and 301.7, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Business Licence Bylaw No. 1021, 1990, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Business Licenses, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1636, District of Coldstream (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.