{"title":"Creston home-based business rules","question":"Can I run a business from my home in Creston?","slug":"home-based-business","place":{"path":"ca/bc/creston","name":"Creston","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":"Town of Creston","url":"https://www.creston.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. In Creston a home occupation is allowed as an accessory use in most residential and commercial zones, with limits by zone. You need a business licence; a home occupation costs $70 a year. Some businesses are not allowed at home.","aliases":["home business creston","home occupation creston","run business from home creston","creston home based business licence"],"cost":"Business licence $70 a year for a home occupation, plus any Schedule 4B extra fees.","how_long":"The Town states no processing time; the licence is not granted until all departments approve.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"238 - 10th Ave. N., Creston, BC","note":"Pay in person Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Town Hall","value":"250-428-2214"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licences (Town Hall)","value":"250-428-2214 ext. 410"},{"type":"online","label":"Business Licences page","value":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licences, Town of Creston","url":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026)","url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Creston business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/business-licence/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Creston zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Creston short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"fence-rules","title":"Creston fence rules: permits and height limits","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/fence-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/salmo","name":"Salmo","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kimberley","name":"Kimberley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cranbrook","name":"Cranbrook","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fruitvale","name":"Fruitvale","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nelson","name":"Nelson","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/montrose","name":"Montrose","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/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 an accessory 'Home occupation' use in the AG, R1, R3, R4, R5, R6, CDC, CG, CHS, CN and CDNW zones, subject to the Zoning Bylaw conditions.","short":"Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026)","section":"s. 4.2.1; zone accessory-use lists (7.1.2.2, 7.2.2.2, 7.6.2.2)","quotes":["A Home occupation use, where permitted in a Zone of this Bylaw, must:","iv. Detached accessory dwelling unit. v. Home occupation. vi. Short term rental."]},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026)","section":"Table 4.1","quotes":["Table 4.1: Maximum Floor Area and Maximum Number of Non-Residential Employees for a Home occupation"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes, a business licence is required for all home occupations. Fee: $70 a year for a home occupation (includes childcare, home offices, bed and breakfasts, personal services), plus any Schedule 4B extra fees.","short":"Yes: $70 a year","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Creston","section":"Business Licences page, Home Occupations","quotes":["Please note, a business licence is required for all home occupations."]},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026)","section":"Schedule 4A","quotes":["Home Occupation $70.00","Includes childcare, home offices, bed and breakfasts, personal services, etc."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Table 4.1 by zone: R1 lesser of 60 sq. m. or 25% of the dwelling, 1 non-resident employee; R3 20%, 0; R4, R6 and CDC, CG, CHS, CN 10%, 0; CDNW 10%, 1; R5 112.0 sq. m., 2; AG 185.5 sq. m., 3. One sign; all work and storage enclosed in a building; 1 parking space per employee.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026)","section":"Table 4.1","quotes":["the lesser of 60 sq. m. or Residential - Low Density (R1) 1 25% of Dwelling unit","Residential - Medium Density (R3) 20% of Dwelling unit 0","Residential - Rural (R5) 112.0 sq. m. 2","Agricultural Land Reserve (AG) 185.5 sq. m. 3","Northwest Boulevard Comprehensive","be enclosed either within the Principal","Home occupation • 1 per Home occupation employee."]},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026)","section":"s. 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.6","quotes":["not give any exterior indication of its existence except by one (1) sign","not involve frequent or regular delivery of materials by a commercial vehicle;","A Home occupation involving the sale of a commodity or goods not produced on the Lot is not permitted."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_allowed":{"label":"Businesses not allowed","value":"Salvage, repair, maintenance or sales of motor vehicles, recreational vehicles or parts; trucking, hauling or touring; welding or steel fabrication; light or heavy manufacturing; cannabis retail store or cannabis operation.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026)","section":"s. 4.2.2","quotes":["The following uses are not permitted as Home occupations:","trucking, hauling or touring;","welding or steel fabrication;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (s. 4.2, Table 4.1); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026)","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as \"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022\"."]},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)","section":"Part 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as “Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017”."]}],"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\nThe [Zoning Bylaw No. 1958](https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf) allows a \"home occupation\" as an accessory use in the AG, R1, R3, R4, R5, R6, CDC, CG, CHS, CN and CDNW zones, subject to s. 4.2 and Table 4.1. A business licence is required for all home occupations (childcare, home offices, bed and breakfasts and personal services are included).\n\nLimits by zone (Table 4.1), as floor area and non-resident employees:\n\n- R1: lesser of 60 sq. m. or 25% of the dwelling; 1 employee\n- R3: 20%; 0\n- R4, R6, CDC, CG, CHS, CN: 10%; 0\n- CDNW: 10%; 1\n- R5: 112.0 sq. m.; 2\n- AG: 185.5 sq. m.; 3\n\nEmployees means people who do not live in the dwelling. Only one sign is allowed, all work and storage must be enclosed in a building, and you need 1 parking space per employee. The business must not cause noise, odour, traffic or hazards.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone and the Table 4.1 limits.\n2. Talk to zoning, building and health staff, then the Fire Department, as the [Business Licences](https://www.creston.ca/business-licences) page describes.\n3. Apply at Town Hall (250-428-2214 ext. 410) and pay $70 a year, plus any Schedule 4B fees. A $20 discount applies to renewals paid by January 31 and to new licences paid within 30 days of approval.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Not allowed: salvage, repair, maintenance or sales of motor vehicles, recreational vehicles or parts; trucking, hauling or touring; welding or steel fabrication; light or heavy manufacturing; cannabis retail or operations; selling goods not produced on the lot.\n- A bed and breakfast is limited to four adults and one extra parking space per guest room (s. 4.2.8).\n- The Town's business licence page restates older limits. If they differ from the bylaw, confirm with staff.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Zoning-1958.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/Business%20Licence-1793_0.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, Town of Creston","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/sites/default/files/2026-06/Fees%20and%20Charges-1763.pdf","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.creston.ca/contact-directory-0","title":"Contact Directory, Town of Creston","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/creston/home-based-business/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/home-based-business.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/creston/home-based-business.json"}}