---
title: Courtenay home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home in Courtenay?"
place: Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/courtenay
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Courtenay
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/home-based-business.json"
---

# Courtenay home-based business rules

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

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Courtenay, https://www.courtenay.ca)  
**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.  
**Where:**
- Online: Business licence application form, https://digitalsmartforms.ca/f/s/CourtenayBusinessLicenceApplication
- Phone: Business licensing, 250-703-4835
- Email: Business licensing, businesslicence@courtenay.ca

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), definitions; ss. 6.3.1, 6.3.2](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1)
  - Official wording: "“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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), s. 6.3.11](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1)
  - Official wording: "Any person intending to carry on a home occupation shall apply for a business licence pursuant to"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), Schedule A, item 14](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025)
  - Official wording: "Bylaw No. 2464, 2006)5 14. Home Occupation............................................................................... $75.00 (As defined in Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, 2007)"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026, Schedule A, Table 3](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026)
  - Official wording: "Home Occupation $150 $150"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), ss. 6.3.1, 6.3.4, 6.3.6 to 6.3.10](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses not allowed:** Manufacturing, welding, vehicle repair or autobody service or any other industrial use; cannabis production facility.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), ss. 6.3.3, 6.3.12](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), Part 3](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1)
  - Official wording: "Part 3 Home Occupation"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026, s. 17.1](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026)
  - Official wording: "“Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523, 2008”, as amended, is repealed effective end of day December"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under [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.

## Steps

1. Check your zone lists home occupation and that your business fits the limits below.
2. Apply for a business licence on the City's online form.
3. 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.

## Good to know

- No employees. Maximum 50 m² or 50% of the dwelling unit, whichever is less; an accessory building up to 50 m².
- 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.
- One non-illuminated sign, up to 0.5 m².
- Off-street parking is required; the front yard does not count.
- No odours, vibration or glare across the parcel line, and no mechanical equipment beyond ordinary household or hobby use.
- Not allowed: manufacturing, welding, vehicle repair or autobody service or any other industrial use, or a cannabis production facility.
- A new licence before January 1, 2027 falls under Bylaw 2523; renewals for 2027 use Bylaw 3212.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, Part 3 Home Occupation (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1)
- [Business licences page](https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (PDF)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026)

## Related questions

- [Courtenay business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/business-licence.md)
- [Courtenay short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/short-term-rental.md)
- [Courtenay backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/backyard-chickens.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/home-based-business.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/home-based-business.md)
- [Powell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/home-based-business.md)
- [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/home-based-business.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/home-based-business.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3203-consolidated-july-21-2026-1) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business licences, City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/Development-services/business-resources/business-licences) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/3212-business-licence-bylaw-3212-2026-revised-june-24-2026) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay](https://www.courtenay.ca/media/file/2523-business-licence-bylaw-no-2523-consolidated-october-24-2025) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Courtenay. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/home-based-business/_