{"title":"Courtenay home-based business rules","question":"Can I run a business from my home in Courtenay?","slug":"home-based-business","place":{"path":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"business","name":"Starting and running a business"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Courtenay","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. Courtenay's Zoning Bylaw allows a home occupation in zones that list it, if only residents carry it on and it stays small. You need a City business licence: $75 a year under Bylaw 2523 until December 31, 2026, and $150 a year under Bylaw 3212 from January 1, 2027.","aliases":["home occupation courtenay","home business licence courtenay","work from home business courtenay","home based business rules courtenay"],"cost":"Home occupation licence $75 a year (Bylaw 2523, until December 31, 2026); $150 a year (Bylaw 3212, from January 1, 2027). Initial applications under Bylaw 3212 also pay a $50 application fee.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"online","label":"Business licence application form","value":"https://digitalsmartforms.ca/f/s/CourtenayBusinessLicenceApplication"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business licensing","value":"250-703-4835"},{"type":"email","label":"Business licensing","value":"businesslicence@courtenay.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, Part 3 Home Occupation (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF)","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1"},{"title":"Business licences page","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (PDF)","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF)","url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Courtenay business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/business-licence/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Courtenay short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"backyard-chickens","title":"Courtenay backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/backyard-chickens/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/home-based-business/"}],"topic":{"title":"Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business/"},"facts":{"allowed":{"label":"Allowed","value":"Yes, as a home occupation in zones that list it: R-SSMUH, R-1A, R-3, R-3A, R-3B, R-4, R-4A, R-4B, RM-1, MU-1 to MU-6, C-5, A-1 and some CD zones. Run only by a person living there, inside the dwelling unit or an accessory building.","short":"Yes, in zones that list it","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"definitions; ss. 6.3.1, 6.3.2","quotes":["“home occupation” means a business operated in a dwelling unit or in an accessory building on the same","property where the business operator resides.","The home occupation must be carried on only by a person residing in the dwelling unit in question,","ADU, home occupation"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes, a business licence is required. Home occupation fee: $75 a year under Bylaw 2523; $150 a year under Bylaw 3212 from Jan 1, 2027.","short":"Yes: $75 a year ($150 a year from Jan 1, 2027)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"s. 6.3.11","quotes":["Any person intending to carry on a home occupation shall apply for a business licence pursuant to"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"Schedule A, item 14","quotes":["Bylaw No. 2464, 2006)5 14. Home Occupation............................................................................... $75.00 (As defined in Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, 2007)"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"Schedule A, Table 3","quotes":["Home Occupation $150 $150"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"No employees; only a resident may carry it on. Max 50 m² or 50% of the dwelling unit, whichever is less (accessory building up to 50 m²). No outdoor storage; no warehouse or retail outlet except a produce sales stand. One non-illuminated sign up to 0.5 m². Off-street parking, front yard not counted.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 6.3.1, 6.3.4, 6.3.6 to 6.3.10","quotes":["with no employee.","Have any outdoor storage;","No home occupation shall occupy more than 50.0 m2 or 50% of the dwelling unit whichever is the","No part of the premises shall be used as a warehouse or retail outlet except in the case of a","one non-illuminated fascia sign not","The home occupation may operate within an accessory building that is no larger than 50.0 m2.","Provides for the off-street parking of all vehicles associated with the residence and business","No part of the premises shall be used as a warehouse or retail outlet except in the case of a produce sales stand."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_allowed":{"label":"Businesses not allowed","value":"Manufacturing, welding, vehicle repair or autobody service or any other industrial use; cannabis production facility.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"ss. 6.3.3, 6.3.12","quotes":["The premises must not be used for manufacturing, welding, vehicle repair or autobody service or","Cannabis production facility is prohibited as a home occupation."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, 2026 (Part 3, s. 6.3) and Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523, 2008, replaced from January 1, 2027 by Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"Part 3","quotes":["Part 3 Home Occupation"]},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay","section":"s. 17.1","quotes":["“Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523, 2008”, as amended, is repealed effective end of day December"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder [Zoning Bylaw No. 3203](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1), a home occupation is allowed in zones that list it (including R-SSMUH, R-1A, R-3, R-4, RM-1, MU-1 to MU-6, C-5, A-1 and some CD zones). It must be run only by a person living there, inside the dwelling unit or an accessory building. A business licence is required.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone lists home occupation and that your business fits the limits below.\n2. Apply for a business licence on the City's online form.\n3. Pay the licence fee: $75 a year under [Bylaw 2523](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025) until December 31, 2026, or $150 a year under [Bylaw 3212](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026) from January 1, 2027.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- No employees. Maximum 50 m² or 50% of the dwelling unit, whichever is less; an accessory building up to 50 m².\n- No outdoor storage; no warehouse or retail outlet except a produce sales stand. Goods sold must relate to the business or be produced on the parcel.\n- One non-illuminated sign, up to 0.5 m².\n- Off-street parking is required; the front yard does not count.\n- No odours, vibration or glare across the parcel line, and no mechanical equipment beyond ordinary household or hobby use.\n- Not allowed: manufacturing, welding, vehicle repair or autobody service or any other industrial use, or a cannabis production facility.\n- A new licence before January 1, 2027 falls under Bylaw 2523; renewals for 2027 use Bylaw 3212.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences","title":"Business licences, City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/home-based-business/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/home-based-business.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/home-based-business.json"}}