GovHandbook

Fernie home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

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

Short answer

Yes, in the City of Fernie you can run a "home occupation" in zones that permit it, but it needs a City business licence and must follow the Zoning Bylaw's rules, such as no outside storage and one sign no bigger than 0.2 m². The licence fee is $100 or $150; confirm with Bylaw Services.

Key facts

AllowedYes. A home occupation is a permitted accessory use in the R-SS, R-3, R3-R, R-4, R-5R, R-MH and RR residential zones, and in several commercial, agricultural and comprehensive development zones, but it needs a valid business licence. It must be incidental to residential use.Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, s. 2 'Home Occupation'; s. 4.2.1(3); s. 4.2.8(3); s. 3.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
an occupation, service, profession or craft which is clearly incidental to the use of a Dwelling Unit for residential purposes or to the residential use of a parcel occupied by a Dwelling Unit,
3. Accessory Uses 1. home occupation; 2. buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use.
1. Uses, buildings and structures accessory to a permitted use, 2. Home Occupation.
No home occupation shall be permitted unless there is a valid and subsisting business
Business licenceYes, a valid business licence is required (Zoning s. 3.5(7)). Fee: the bylaw's Schedule A says $100 a year (half if first licensed after July 1), but the City's web page and application form say $150 ($75 pro-rated after July 1). Confirm with Bylaw Services.Sources differ: Bylaw (Schedule A, consolidated to Amendment 8, Bylaw 2529, 2024) says $100; the web page says $150. Bylaw wins. The web page may reflect a later fee change not yet in the consolidation.Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, s. 3.5(7); Business Licences, When is a Business Licence Required?; Fees; Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028, Schedule A; s. 6(3); Business Licence Required Documentation Checklist, Required Documentation Checklist, Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No home occupation shall be permitted unless there is a valid and subsisting business
license for such use.
This includes home based businesses, commercial and industrial establishments and owners of apartment rental properties.
The annual business licence fee to operate a business in Fernie is $150.00.
A. Licence other than a Short-Term Rental (Annual Fee) $100
Where an applicant becomes Licenced after the first day of July in any calendar
year, excluding the year 2016, the Licence fee shall be one-half of the Annual Fee
☐ $150 BL Fee
☐ $75 Pro-rated BL Fee (after July 1)
LimitsOnly residents of the dwelling may carry it on, wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building, with no outside storage of materials. One business vehicle (up to 5,300 kg gross, one ton) with a parking space. One sign up to 0.2 m² (2.2 sq ft). Parking for all vehicles on site. No retail sales except goods the business makes or assembles.Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, s. 3.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
it shall be carried on only by residents of the dwelling unit;
it shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit or an accessory building;
it shall not involve the storage of materials outside the dwelling unit or accessory
a maximum of one home occupation related vehicle shall be permitted provided it is no
larger than one ton with a gross vehicle weight of 5300 kg. and a parking space
one (1) sign not
exceeding 0.2 m² (2.2 sq. ft.) in area may be affixed to the dwelling unit or accessory
shall not involve the retail sale of goods except those produced or assembled by the
Businesses not allowedNo list of banned business types. A home business may not have non-resident workers, store materials outside or sell retail goods other than those it makes or assembles. Wrecking and repair of vehicles and storing more than one derelict vehicle are barred on residential parcels, but a commercial activity that complies with the home occupation rules is not counted as wrecking.Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, s. 3.5; Residential zones general regulations s. 4.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
it shall be carried on only by residents of the dwelling unit;
shall not involve the retail sale of goods except those produced or assembled by the
No person shall use or permit the use of any portion of a parcel in a residential zone for the wrecking and repair of vehicles or for the storage of derelict vehicles except for the storage of not more than one derelict vehicle in other than the front yard.
nor does it include a commercial activity which is in compliance with the definitions of home occupation.
BylawConsolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (s. 3.5 Home Occupation); Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750, s. 3.5; Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
3.5 HOME OCCUPATION
CONSOLIDATED ZONING BYLAW NO. 1750
Consolidated Bylaw No. 2028, cited as the Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw

How it works

Under Zoning Bylaw 1750 s. 3.5, a home occupation is a permitted accessory use in the R-SS, R-3, R3-R, R-4, R-5R, R-MH and RR residential zones, and in several commercial, agricultural and comprehensive development zones. It must be incidental to residential use, and it needs a valid business licence. Short-term rentals count as home occupations in the zoning definition but have their own rules (see the short-term rental answer).

Steps

  1. Ask Planning (250-423-6817) to confirm your property's zone permits a home occupation.
  2. Contact Bylaw Services (250-423-2244 or bylawservices@fernie.ca) for the Business Licence Application.
  3. Submit the application with proof of residency and pay the fee.

Good to know

  • Conditions: only residents of the dwelling may carry it on, wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building, with no outside storage of materials. No retail sales except goods the business makes or assembles.
  • Vehicle and sign: one business vehicle (up to 5,300 kg gross, one ton) with a parking space. One sign up to 0.2 m² (2.2 sq ft). Parking for all vehicles must be on site.
  • Banned types: no list of banned business types. Wrecking and repair of vehicles is barred on residential parcels.
  • Fee conflict: the bylaw says $100 a year, but the City's page and form say $150 ($75 if first licensed after July 1). Confirm with Bylaw Services.
  • Fine: an unauthorized home occupation is a $100 municipal ticket per offence (Bylaw 2041).
  • The sources set no floor-area limit or customer-visit limit.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Sparwood · Cranbrook · Elkford · Kimberley · Canal Flats · Creston

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

Sources

  1. Business Licences, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Consolidated Zoning Bylaw No. 1750 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 2028 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Business Licence Required Documentation Checklist (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2041 (PDF), City of Fernie (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.