GovHandbook

Greenwood home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

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

Short answer

Yes. Greenwood's Zoning Bylaw 683, 1997 allows home occupations in the R1, R1A, R2 and RU zones, with limits on size, signs, employees and nuisances. The City's licence form asks if a business is home based, so expect to need a business licence; confirm with City Hall at 250-445-6644.

Key facts

AllowedYes. Home occupations are a permitted use in the R1 (and R1A), R2 and RU zones.Zoning Bylaw No. 683, 1997, s. 402.2, 403.2, 410.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
- 19 -
402. Residential 1 Zone (Single and Two Family) R1 402.1 Subject to compliance with the General Provisions in Part 3, the following provisions shall apply in the Residential 1 Zone. 402.2 Permitted Uses (1) Single family dwellings; (2) Two family dwellings and semi-detached dwelling; (3) Home occupations;
403. Residential 2 Zone (Mobile Home Subdivision) R2 403.1 Subject to compliance with the General Provisions in Part 3, the following provisions shall apply in the Residential 2 Zone. 403.2 Permitted Uses (1) Mobile homes; (2) Home occupations;
shall apply in the Rural Zone. 410.2 Permitted Uses (1) Agricultural uses (excluding intensive agricultural uses); (2) Cemeteries; (3) Resource uses; (4) Kennels and animal shelters provided they do not include any outside animal enclosures or runs; (5) Rodeo and gymkhana grounds; (6) Single family dwellings; (7) Mobile homes; (8) Home occupations;
*402A. Residential 1A Zone (Single & Two Family) R1A 402A.1 Subject to compliance with the General Provisions in Part 3, the following provisions shall apply in the Residential 1A Zone. 402A.2 Permitted Uses (1) All uses permitted in the Residential 1 Zone.
Business licenceThe City's licence form asks whether a business is home based, so a licence is expected. Regular business licence fee is $100 plus a $50 application fee; no separate home-based fee is stated.Business Licence Application Form, Section 2; Forms & Permits, Permits & Fees · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Is the business home based?
The Regular Business License Fee in the City of Greenwood shall be $100.00.
shall pay $50 at the time of application.
LimitsEntirely inside enclosed buildings, including storage. Uses no more than 25% of the dwelling's floor area (even in an accessory building). Only residents may be employed. No exterior evidence except one non-illuminated sign up to 1 m². No vibration, noise, heat, glare or radiation detectable beyond the lot; no odours, toxic matter, electrical interference or traffic congestion. No customer or parking rule found.Zoning Bylaw No. 683, 1997, s. 306 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
be conducted entirely within one or more wholly enclosed building, including all
not occupy an area greater than 25 percent of the floor area of the dwelling unit
employ only residents of the dwelling within which the occupation is being
one non-illuminated name
produce no odours, toxic or noxious matter or any electrical interference or traffic
generate no vibration, noise, heat, glare or radiation detectable from beyond the
Businesses not allowedNot confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read.
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 683, 1997, s. 306 (Home Occupation); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1016, 2024Zoning Bylaw No. 683, 1997, s. 306; Business Licence Application Form, Note · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
(3) Open fencing shall not be restricted as to height or location. 306. Home Occupation (a) be conducted entirely within one or more wholly enclosed building, including all
THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF GREENWOOD ZONING BYLAW NO. 683, 1997 A Bylaw to regulate the location and use of buildings and
Business Licences Bylaw # 1016, 2024

How it works

Zoning Bylaw No. 683, 1997 section 306 allows home occupations in the R1 (and R1A), R2 and RU zones. A home occupation must:

  • be entirely inside enclosed buildings, including storage;
  • use no more than 25% of the dwelling's floor area, even in an accessory building;
  • employ only residents;
  • show no exterior evidence except one non-illuminated sign up to 1 m²;
  • cause no vibration, noise, heat, glare or radiation detectable beyond the lot; and
  • cause no odours, toxic matter, electrical interference or traffic congestion.

No customer or parking rule was found.

Steps

  1. Confirm with City Hall that your lot's zone allows a home occupation.
  2. Complete the Business Licence Application Form. It asks whether the business is home based.

Good to know

  • Business Licence Bylaw No. 1016 could not be read, so the licence requirement is expected from the form rather than confirmed.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Midway · Grand Forks · Osoyoos · Rossland · Oliver · Warfield

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 683, 1997 (PDF), City of Greenwood (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Business Licence Application Form, City of Greenwood (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Forms & Permits, City of Greenwood (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 4 of 5 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.