Delta home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home?
Short answer
Yes, in the City of Delta you can run a home occupation if it is one of the listed low-impact kinds of business, run by residents of the dwelling, and you hold a City business licence. The Zoning Bylaw limits floor area, staff and clients.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes. A home occupation is allowed as an accessory use to a dwelling in residential zones (single detached, duplex, townhouse, apartment) and to a farm house in A1, but only the listed low-impact kinds of business, run by residents of the dwelling.Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated April 21, 2026), section 7.5, s. 11.10.3 (RS1 zone example) and s. 6.1.10(e); Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated April 21, 2026), section 7.5, Definition · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHome occupation, accessory to a single detached dwelling Only the following uses are permitted as home occupations: businesses practiced entirely by phone or online; a business carried on as an accessory use to a dwelling unit by a |
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| Business licence | Yes. A home occupation requires a City business licence. The basic annual licence for businesses not otherwise listed is $175 for 1 to 5 persons engaged; some types have their own fee, such as Tutor or Private Teacher $29. No home-based fee is stated.Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated April 21, 2026), section 7.5, s. 6.1.10(c)(ix); Delta Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 8386, Schedule 4, Schedule 4, Part A; Business Licences, Business Licences page, Home-Based Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA home occupation requires a business licence from the City. PART A: ANNUAL BASIC BUSINESS LICENCE (not otherwise listed) (1) 1 to 5 persons engaged $175.00 /each (1) 1 to 5 persons engaged $175.00 /each (23) Tutor or Private Teacher $29.00 /each The annual Licence fee depends on the business type. |
| Limits | Floor area: the lesser of 50 m² or 20% of the dwelling. Only residents may work in it (no more than 2), with no more than 2 clients at a time. Everything stays indoors; no noise, odour or extra street parking. One non-illuminated sign up to 0.18 m² is allowed (Sign Bylaw No. 5860, s. 7.7).Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated April 21, 2026), section 7.5, s. 6.1.10(a)-(c); Delta Sign Bylaw No. 5860, Delta Sign Bylaw No. 5860, s. 7.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingshall not exceed 50 m2 or 20% of the gross Not more than 2 persons residing in a dwelling unit shall be engaged in home occupations. maximum of 2 clients at a time. All materials, equipment and products associated with a home occupation shall be additional parking on adjacent streets. One non-illuminated home occupation or bed and breakfast facia or freestanding sign is permitted provided it does not exceed 0.18 m2 in total sign area on |
| Businesses not allowed | Not allowed: adult entertainment, wholesale or retail agents of goods made elsewhere, cannabis businesses, dance school for more than 2 students, kennel or stable, machine shop, massage parlour, methadone clinic or dispensary, professional offices such as dentist or doctor, band training, real estate or land development office, and motor vehicle salvage or repair.Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated April 21, 2026), section 7.5, s. 6.1.10(e)(iii) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe following uses are not permitted as home occupation uses: machine shop; real estate or land development office; salvage or repair of motor vehicles. |
| Bylaw | Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, s. 6.1.10 (Home Occupations); Delta Business Licence Bylaw No. 7670, 2017Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated April 21, 2026), section 7.5, s. 6.1.10; Delta Business Licence Bylaw No. 7670, 2017 (consolidated), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording6.1.10 HOME OCCUPATIONS Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 Delta Business Licence Bylaw No. 7670, 2017 |
How it works
A home occupation is a business run by residents as an accessory use to a dwelling in residential zones (single detached, duplex, townhouse, apartment) and to a farm house in A1. Only the listed low-impact kinds are allowed. The rules are in Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, section 6.1.10.
Steps
- Read the home occupation rules in the Zoning Bylaw (section 6.1.10).
- If you live in a duplex, townhouse or apartment, get written consent from the owner or manager first.
- Fill in the Business Licence Application and send it to businesslicences@delta.ca, or bring it to City Hall.
- Pay the invoice the City sends; the licence follows.
Good to know
- Limits: the lesser of 50 m² or 20% of the dwelling. Only residents may work in it (no more than 2), with no more than 2 clients at a time. Everything stays indoors, with no noise, odour or extra street parking. Licensed childcare for up to 8 children is exempt from the floor-area and client limits.
- Allowed uses include phone or online businesses, craft making, academic, art, dance or music instruction, small offices of low-impact professionals, personal services (not dry cleaning or a laundromat), small-appliance and upholstery repair, animal grooming (maximum two animals), and similar uses at the General Manager's discretion.
- Not allowed: adult entertainment, wholesale or retail agents of goods made elsewhere, cannabis businesses, a dance school for more than 2 students, kennel or stable, machine shop, massage parlour, methadone clinic or dispensary, professional offices such as dentist or doctor, band training, real estate or land development office, and motor vehicle salvage or repair.
- No mechanical equipment beyond household or hobby use, and no sale of goods on the premises other than the principal product of a home craft.
- One non-illuminated sign up to 0.18 m² is allowed (Sign Bylaw No. 5860, s. 7.7).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Richmond · Burnaby · White Rock · New Westminster · Surrey · North Vancouver
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licences, City of Delta (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017, section 6.1.10 Home Occupations (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 8386, Schedule 4 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Sign Bylaw No. 5860 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Zoning Bylaw No. 7600, 2017 (consolidated April 21, 2026), section 7.5 (read 2026-11-05)
- Delta Business Licence Bylaw No. 7670, 2017 (consolidated) (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.