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Gibsons home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home in Gibsons?

Gibsons, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

Yes, in Gibsons a home occupation is a permitted accessory use in any dwelling unit, up to two per property, and it needs a Town business licence ($240 a year). It must stay within the limits in Zoning Bylaw 1342, such as 20% of the floor area and no more than five trips a day.

Key facts

AllowedYes. A home occupation is a permitted accessory use in any dwelling unit, subject to conditions. No more than two home occupations per property.Zoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025, s. 3.7.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Home Occupation is a permitted Accessory Use in any Dwelling Unit, subject to the following
not more than two home occupations are permitted on a property.
Business licenceYes. A Town business licence is required. Fee: $240 a year for a Home Occupation.Zoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025, s. 3.7.3(1.8); Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), Schedule A Part 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
a Town Business License is required for the conduct of any Home Occupation
H001 HOME OCCUPATION............................................................................ $240.00
LimitsOnly residents of the dwelling may work in it; up to 20% of the dwelling's gross floor area; no outdoor storage; no noise, odour, glare or similar noticeable outside; one sign up to 0.3 m²; one vehicle up to 2.7 tonnes; no more than five delivery or client trips a day.Zoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025, s. 3.7.3(1.5); Zoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025, s. 3.7.3(1.2), (1.4); Zoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025, s. 3.7.3(1.6), (1.7) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
conducted only by the residents in the Dwelling Unit
more than 20% of the Gross Floor Area (GFA)
must not include outdoor storage of equipment, materials,
except for a single sign not exceeding 0.3 m2 in area;
not more than one vehicle, not exceeding 2.7 metric tonnes
no more than five per day;
Businesses not allowedVehicle repair or maintenance, body shops, metal fabrication, sale of goods not produced on the premises, production or sale of highly combustible products, and short-term rental.Zoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025, s. 3.7.3(1.1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
a Home Occupation must not include vehicle repair or maintenance, body shops,
or sale of highly combustible products or Short-Term Rental;
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025 (s. 3.7.3) and Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992Zoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025, s. 3.7.3; Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
3.7.1. Rescinded...................................................................................................................3-10 3.7.2. Community Care ...................................................................................................... 3-10 3.7.3. Home Occupations ................................................................................................... 3-10 3.7.4. Short-Term Rentals ................................................................................................... 3-11 3.8. Uses Permitted and Uses Prohibited in All Zones ........................................................... 3-12
Zoning Bylaw Bylaw No. 1342 | 2025 Consolidated for convenience to include 1342-01 - June 2026
BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW NO. 666

How it works

Zoning Bylaw 1342 (s. 3.7.3) allows a home occupation as an accessory use in any dwelling unit, subject to conditions. No more than two home occupations are allowed per property. A Town business licence is required.

Limits:

  • Only residents of the dwelling may work in it.
  • Up to 20% of the dwelling's gross floor area.
  • No outdoor storage.
  • No noise, odour, glare or similar noticeable outside.
  • One sign, up to 0.3 m².
  • One vehicle, up to 2.7 tonnes.
  • No more than five delivery or client trips a day.

Not allowed as a home occupation: vehicle repair or maintenance, body shops, metal fabrication, sale of goods not produced on the premises, production or sale of highly combustible products, and short-term rental (which has its own licence).

Steps

  1. Check that your plans fit the limits above.
  2. Complete the Business Licence Application Form and the Supplemental Checklist.
  3. Bring them to Town Hall, fax 604-886-9735 or email beo@gibsons.ca.
  4. Staff check the approvals your business type needs, then contact you to pay.

Good to know

  • The fee is $240 a year for a Home Occupation, under Business Licence Bylaw 666, Schedule A.
  • Food, alcohol, daycare and beauty services also need Vancouver Coastal Health approval.
  • Bylaw 666 also defines "home occupation" with its own list of trades. The zoning bylaw is the newer rule; confirm with Town Hall if your business is unusual.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Bowen Island · West Vancouver · Lions Bay · Sechelt · District of North Vancouver · North Vancouver

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1342, 2025, Town of Gibsons (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Business Licence Bylaw No. 666, 1992 (consolidated), Town of Gibsons (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Business Licences, Town of Gibsons (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.