GovHandbook

Golden home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

Golden, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Golden you can run a home based business as an accessory use in your dwelling, as Class One or Class Two depending on your zone. You need a valid Town business licence, which is $70 a year for a home occupation.

Key facts

AllowedYes, as an accessory use in a dwelling. Class One or Two in R1S, R1D, R2, R2A, R5, R6, R7, C5 and CD-2; Class One only in R3, R4, C1, C2 and C3. A valid Town business licence is required.Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, Definitions; Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, Schedule C (R1S); Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, Schedule G (R3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
require avalid Business License issued by the Town.
Home Based Business Class One or Two
Home Based Business Class One
Home Based Business Class One or Two
Home Based Business Class One
Business licenceYes. A home based business needs a valid Town business licence. Bylaw 990 Schedule A lists "Home Occupation" under Miscellaneous at $70 a year.Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, Definitions; Business Licences, Fees; Business Licencing Bylaw No. 990, Schedule A item 13 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
require avalid Business License issued by the Town.
Any person owning or operating a business within The Town of Golden is required to hold a valid business licence
- Heliskiing - Home Occupation
not previously mentioned or listed in this category $ 70.00
LimitsClass One: all inside the dwelling, no client visits, no sign, up to 30% of floor area (max 20 m²). Class Two: dwelling or accessory building, one non-resident employee, up to 5 clients a day, 50 m² maximum, one 0.25 m² sign, parking 1 plus 1 per employee. Both: no outdoor storage; one commercial vehicle up to 5,600 kg.Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 9.4(2); Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 9.4(3); Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 9.4(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
not generate client visits to the site from which the Business is being operated;
not occupy more than 30% of the Net Floor Area of the
up to a maximum area of 20 m2; and
Home Based Business Class 2 I +1 per employee
not exceed two Home Based Businesses per Lot;
have up to one nonresident employee;
have a maximum of five clients per day;
shall the combined Net Floor Area used for the Business exceed 50 m2;
be permitted one Sign 0.25m2 in size which shall be located on the
not involve the Outdoor Storage of any materials used or produced by the
have a maximum of one commercial vehicle, up to 5600kg gtoss vehicle weight
Businesses not allowedNo list of banned business types. Class Two may not retail or display products not made on the premises (except incidental products and mail, phone or internet sales). A Class Two business cannot share a lot with a bed and breakfast or short-term rental.Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 9.4(3)(f); Zoning Bylaw Excerpts, B&B and short-term rental, s. 9.2(1)(g) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
not involve Retail sales or display of products not produced on the premises,
not be permitted on a Lot where a Child Care, Home; Home Based Business Class
BylawTown of Golden Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (s. 9.4 Home Based Business); Town of Golden Business Licencing Bylaw No. 990Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011, s. 9.4; Business Licences, Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
9.4 Home Based Business
Town of Golden Business Licencing Bylaw No. 990

How it works

Home based businesses are regulated by section 9.4 of the Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011. A home based business is an accessory use in a dwelling and needs a valid Town business licence.

  • Class One or Two is allowed in R1S, R1D, R2, R2A, R5, R6, R7, C5 and CD-2.
  • Class One only is allowed in R3, R4, C1, C2 and C3.

Commercial and other zones list the classes separately; only the residential zones were checked.

Class One: all inside the dwelling, no client visits, no sign, up to 30% of floor area (maximum 20 m²). Class Two: in the dwelling or an accessory building, one non-resident employee, up to 5 clients a day, 50 m² maximum, one 0.25 m² sign, and parking of 1 plus 1 per employee.

Steps

  1. Confirm your zone and which class is allowed (see the zoning-lookup answer).
  2. Check the limits above for your class.
  3. Apply for a business licence (see the business-licence answer).

Good to know

  • Both classes: no outdoor storage, and one commercial vehicle up to 5,600 kg.
  • No more than two home based businesses per lot, and only one of them Class Two. Only the resident operates it; no exterior structural change; no nuisance from noise, smoke, dust, odour or glare.
  • Class Two may not retail or display products not made on the premises, except incidental products and mail, phone or internet sales.
  • A Class Two business cannot share a lot with a bed and breakfast or short-term rental.
  • The bylaw lists no banned types of business.
  • The posted zoning bylaw does not merge later amendments, so check with Development Services.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Revelstoke · Radium Hot Springs · Invermere · Nakusp · New Denver · Sicamous

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1294, 2011 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Business Licences, Town of Golden (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Business Licencing Bylaw No. 990 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Zoning Bylaw Excerpts, B&B and short-term rental (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)

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.