Creston home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home in Creston?
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.
Key facts
| Allowed | 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026), s. 4.2.1; zone accessory-use lists (7.1.2.2, 7.2.2.2, 7.6.2.2); Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026), Table 4.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA Home occupation use, where permitted in a Zone of this Bylaw, must: iv. Detached accessory dwelling unit. v. Home occupation. vi. Short term rental. Table 4.1: Maximum Floor Area and Maximum Number of Non-Residential Employees for a Home occupation |
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| Business licence | 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.Business Licences, Business Licences page, Home Occupations; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026), Schedule 4A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingPlease note, a business licence is required for all home occupations. Home Occupation $70.00 Includes childcare, home offices, bed and breakfasts, personal services, etc. |
| Limits | 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026), Table 4.1; Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026), s. 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingthe 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. 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. |
| Businesses 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 store or cannabis operation.Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026), s. 4.2.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe following uses are not permitted as Home occupations: trucking, hauling or touring; welding or steel fabrication; |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (s. 4.2, Table 4.1); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026), s. 1.1; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025), Part 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as "Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022". This Bylaw may be cited as “Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017”. |
How it works
The Zoning Bylaw No. 1958 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).
Limits by zone (Table 4.1), as floor area and non-resident employees:
- R1: lesser of 60 sq. m. or 25% of the dwelling; 1 employee
- R3: 20%; 0
- R4, R6, CDC, CG, CHS, CN: 10%; 0
- CDNW: 10%; 1
- R5: 112.0 sq. m.; 2
- AG: 185.5 sq. m.; 3
Employees 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.
Steps
- Check your zone and the Table 4.1 limits.
- Talk to zoning, building and health staff, then the Fire Department, as the Business Licences page describes.
- 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.
Good to know
- 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.
- A bed and breakfast is limited to four adults and one extra parking space per guest room (s. 4.2.8).
- The Town's business licence page restates older limits. If they differ from the bylaw, confirm with staff.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Salmo · Kimberley · Cranbrook · Fruitvale · Nelson · Montrose
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1958, 2022 (PDF, consolidated to June 16, 2026) (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 1793, 2017 (PDF, consolidated to December 2, 2025) (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licences, Town of Creston (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1763 (PDF, consolidated to May 12, 2026) (read 2026-11-06)
- Contact Directory, Town of Creston (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.