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Courtenay home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home in Courtenay?

Courtenay, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

AllowedYes, 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), definitions; ss. 6.3.1, 6.3.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Business licenceYes, a business licence is required. Home occupation fee: $75 a year under Bylaw 2523; $150 a year under Bylaw 3212 from Jan 1, 2027.Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), s. 6.3.11; Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), Schedule A, item 14; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026, Schedule A, Table 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Any person intending to carry on a home occupation shall apply for a business licence pursuant to
Bylaw No. 2464, 2006)5 14. Home Occupation............................................................................... $75.00 (As defined in Zoning Bylaw No. 2500, 2007)
Home Occupation $150 $150
LimitsNo 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), ss. 6.3.1, 6.3.4, 6.3.6 to 6.3.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
Businesses not allowedManufacturing, welding, vehicle repair or autobody service or any other industrial use; cannabis production facility.Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), ss. 6.3.3, 6.3.12 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
BylawZoning 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, 2026Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), Part 3; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026, s. 17.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Part 3 Home Occupation
“Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523, 2008”, as amended, is repealed effective end of day December

How it works

Under Zoning Bylaw No. 3203, 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 until December 31, 2026, or $150 a year under Bylaw 3212 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

The same question in other places

Comox · Cumberland · Powell River · Campbell River · Port Alberni · Qualicum Beach

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 3203 (consolidated July 21, 2026, PDF), City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Business licences, City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Business Licence Bylaw No. 3212, 2026 (PDF), City of Courtenay (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Business Licence Bylaw No. 2523 (consolidated October 24, 2025, PDF), City of Courtenay (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. How answers are checked.