Duncan home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

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

Short answer

Yes. The City of Duncan allows up to two home-based businesses per dwelling unit, within limits set by the Zoning Bylaw, and each needs a City business licence. Limits include one non-resident employee, 40% of the home up to 50 m², and no outdoor storage.

Key facts

Allowed	Yes, as an accessory use in the Low, Medium and High Density Residential zones and the Highway Corridor Commercial (HCC) zone; in Downtown, Neighbourhood Commercial, HCC2 and HCC3 only within a multi-unit dwelling. No more than two per dwelling unit (two per parcel where a suite exists).Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF, amendments to August 24, 2026), section 3.18, s. 3.18.1, 4.2.1, 4.6.1, 4.11.1, 5.2.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No more than two (2) home-based businesses are permitted per dwelling unit Home-Based Business Home-Based Business in a Multi-Unit Dwelling Car Wash Home-Based Business must be at least 500 m from
Business licence	Yes. Every business including home-based businesses needs a City business licence. Annual fee $100 if paid before March 1 ($125 later); $50 for new licences issued after July 1.Business Licences, Business Licences page; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, amendments to August 24, 2026), Schedule D · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A Business Licence is required by every business (including non-profit Societies, home based businesses, and out of town businesses) 2. From every other business operated from a property within $100.00 $125.00 $50.00
Limits	Max 1 non-resident employee; area up to 40% of the dwelling or of an accessory building, up to 50 m² each (70 m² combined); 1 motor vehicle; no outdoor storage. In multi-unit dwellings: no clients, patrons, customers or non-resident employees on site and no sign. Parking: 1 space where the public attends.Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF, amendments to August 24, 2026), section 3.18, s. 3.18.2, 3.18.3, 3.18.4, 3.28.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Maximum number of non-resident employees 40% of the dwelling unit up to 50 m2 Where combined, not more than 70 m2 total Maximum number of motor vehicles (c) Outdoor storage advertisement by means of a sign 1 per business where public attends
Businesses not allowed	Automobile repair service or autobody; retail sale of goods not directly associated with the business or produced on the parcel; outdoor storage; marshaling or storage of motor vehicles; anything causing odours, vapours, heat, glare, electrical interference or recurring ground vibrations across a parcel line.Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF, amendments to August 24, 2026), section 3.18, s. 3.18.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A home-based business must not involve any of the following Automobile Repair Service or autobody Retail sale of goods that are not directly associated with the home-based Marshaling or storage of motor vehicles
Bylaw	Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 s. 3.18; Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF, amendments to August 24, 2026), section 3.18, s. 3.18; Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Residential Accessory Businesses........................................................................................... 17 3.18 Home-Based Business ............................................................................................................. 17 3.19 Bed and Breakfast ....................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. City of Duncan Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (With Amendments to August 24, 2026) Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014

How it works

Every business in the City of Duncan, including a home-based one, needs a City business licence. The rules for home-based businesses are in section 3.18 of the Zoning Bylaw. A home-based business is an accessory use in the Low, Medium and High Density Residential zones and the Highway Corridor Commercial (HCC) zone. In the Downtown, Neighbourhood Commercial, HCC2 and HCC3 zones it is allowed only within a multi-unit dwelling.

Steps

Check the limits below, and ask Development Services (250-746-6126, developmentservices@duncan.ca) to confirm your zone allows it.
Complete the Business Licence Application.
Send it to City Hall (in person, licence@duncan.ca or by mail) and pay the fee. See the business-licence answer.

Good to know

No more than two home-based businesses per dwelling unit, or two per parcel where a suite exists.
At most one non-resident employee and one motor vehicle.
The business may use up to 40% of the dwelling or of an accessory building, up to 50 m² each (70 m² combined). Parking is 1 space where the public attends.
Not allowed: auto repair or autobody work; retail sale of goods not directly associated with the business or produced on the parcel; outdoor storage; storing motor vehicles; and odours, vapours, heat, glare, electrical interference or recurring vibration crossing the parcel line.
In a multi-unit dwelling, no clients, patrons, customers or non-resident employees on site and no sign.
An unlawful home-based business is a $100 bylaw notice ($75 if paid within 14 days).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

North Cowichan · Ladysmith · North Saanich · Lake Cowichan · Sidney · Central Saanich

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

Sources

Zoning Bylaw No. 3166, 2017 (PDF, amendments to August 24, 2026), section 3.18 (read 2026-11-05)
Business Licences, City of Duncan (read 2026-11-05)
Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3212, 2020 (PDF, amendments to August 24, 2026) (read 2026-11-05)
Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 3117, 2014 (PDF), City of Duncan (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.