Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality

158 places

What the bylaws of 158 places in British Columbia say on the same question, side by side. Each cell is a short form of a fact that is sourced, quoted and checked on the place's own page.

Place	Allowed	Business licence
100 Mile House	Yes, as an accessory use in listed zones	Yes: $120 first year, $80 later years
Abbotsford	Yes, where zone lists it (Levels 1 to 4)	Yes: $130 a year plus $25 admin fee (new)
Alert Bay	Not stated; Zoning Bylaw not read	Not confirmed
Anmore	Yes, in RS-1, RS-1A, RCH-1 and RCH-2 zones	Yes: $110 a year
Armstrong	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $35 a year (new: $110 application, $88 inspection)
Ashcroft	Yes, as an accessory use; licence needed	Yes: $60 a year (plus $50 fire inspection, new)
Barriere	Yes, in any zone (not RM for outbuilding use)	Yes: by category, e.g. $52.50 crafts, $105 professional
Belcarra	Yes, in residential zones as an accessory use	Yes: $100 a year
Bowen Island	Yes, where the zone lists it	Yes: $100 a year public access, $25 not; $50 application
Burnaby	Yes, in R1 to R8 districts as an accessory use	Yes: $422 initial, $145 renewal; $55 application
Burns Lake	Yes, as an accessory use in listed zones	Not confirmed
Cache Creek	Yes, in listed zones (minor or major)	Yes: $50
Campbell River	Yes, in all zones that permit residential use	Yes: $150 a year
Canal Flats	Unclear; check the zone's use list	Yes: $75
Castlegar	Yes, in listed zones; up to 2 per lot	Yes: $100
Central Saanich	Yes, as an accessory use in listed zones	Yes: $50 new application; renewal free
Chetwynd	Yes, in AG, RU1, RU2, R1, R2 and MHP zones	Yes: $100 a year
Chilliwack	Yes, in most zones as an accessory use	Yes: $100 a year
Clearwater	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $100 a year
Clinton	Yes, in R1 to R4, A1, A2 (and C1, C2 in dwelling)	Yes; fee not found
Coldstream	Yes, in all residential and rural zones	Yes: by class, e.g. $60 home crafts, $110 professional
Colwood	Yes, where the zone lists it	Yes: $100
Comox	Yes, in low-density residential zones	Yes: $100 a year
Coquitlam	Yes, in residential zones if licensed	Yes: $100.80 a year
Courtenay	Yes, in zones that list it	Yes: $75 a year ($150 a year from Jan 1, 2027)
Cranbrook	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $150 a year plus taxes
Creston	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $70 a year
Cumberland	Yes, as a home occupation in listed zones	Yes: Tier 1 $125 then $25 yearly; Tier 2 $275 then $100
Daajing Giids	Yes, in LR, RR, THR and RO zones	Not confirmed
Dawson Creek	Yes, in zones that list it as an accessory use	Yes: by business category, e.g. $114.64 hairdresser
Delta	Yes, in residential zones; low-impact types only	Yes: $175 a year (basic, 1 to 5 persons)
District of North Vancouver	Yes, in RS, R1 and R2 zones	Yes: by category, $20 processing fee; $193.90 if unlisted
Duncan	Yes, in residential and HCC zones	Yes: $100 a year if paid before March 1 ($125 later)
Elkford	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $100 a year
Enderby	Yes, in all zones	Yes: $75, no renewal fee
Esquimalt	Yes, in single-family residential zones	Yes: $100 a year ($50 for home crafts)
Fernie	Yes, in listed zones; licence needed	Yes: $100 a year per bylaw; $150 per City web page
Fort St James	Yes, in R1, R2, R4, RR1, RR1A, RR2 and RR3 (not R3)	Yes: $50 a year
Fort St. John	Yes, where the zone lists it	Yes: $125
Fraser Lake	Yes, in all residential zones	Yes: $75
Fruitvale	Yes, in all residential zones	Yes: $90 a year
Gibsons	Yes, in any dwelling unit; up to two per property	Yes: $240 a year
Gold River	Yes, in listed zones	Yes: $75 a year
Golden	Yes, in listed zones (Class One or Two)	Yes: $70 a year
Grand Forks	Yes, in listed residential zones	Yes: $75 a year
Granisle	Yes, in residential zones if inside the dwelling	Yes: $30 a year
Greenwood	Yes, in R1, R1A, R2 and RU zones	Likely: $100 plus $50 application; no home fee stated
Harrison Hot Springs	Yes, where the zone lists it	Yes: $125 a year plus $25 application fee
Hazelton	Yes, in R, RR and RC zones	Not confirmed
Highlands	Yes, in listed zones; operator must live there	Not required
Hope	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $150 a year
Houston	Yes, in R1, R2, R3, A1, A2, C1 and C2	Yes: $125 a year ($60 for artisan)
Hudson's Hope	Yes, in a single-detached dwelling or duplex unit	Yes: $50 a year
Invermere	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $150 application, $150 renewal
Kamloops	Yes, with residential uses in listed zone divisions	Yes: $15 application plus category fee, e.g. $77
Kaslo	Yes, minor home occupation in listed zones	Yes: $60 a year
Kelowna	Yes, subject to zoning and licence	Yes, annual licence; fee not stated
Kent	Yes, in most agricultural and residential zones	Yes: $125, or $500 plus $1 per m² if outside the house
Keremeos	Yes, in RS1, RSM, RM1, CT1, AG and AGX zones	Yes: $100 a year
Kimberley	Yes, class 3 in all zones; classes 1, 2 in listed zones	Yes: by business type, e.g. $50 or $100
Kitimat	Yes, where the zone permits it	Yes: $75 a year (1 to 3 people)
Ladysmith	Yes, in listed zones; up to two per parcel	Yes: $100 a year
Lake Country	Yes, in agricultural, residential and rural zones	Yes: $125 with customers, $65 without; $30 application
Lake Cowichan	Yes, in R-1 to R-6, CD-2 and one commercial zone	Yes: $100 a year
Langford	Yes, by lot size and type	Yes: $100
Langley City	Yes, in all residential zones	Yes: $234 a year plus $60 application fee
Lantzville	Yes, in most residential and rural zones	Yes: $50 (2021 schedule)
Lillooet	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $150 a year plus $35 application
Lions Bay	Yes, in the RS-1 zone only	Not confirmed
Logan Lake	Yes, in listed zones	Yes: $50 a year, $100 with fire inspection
Lumby	Yes, in residential and rural zones	Yes: $50 a year
Lytton	Yes, in RR, R1 and R2 zones	Yes: $50 annual
Mackenzie	Yes, in listed zones with a business licence	Yes: by category, e.g. $80 or $104
Maple Ridge	Yes, in agricultural, residential and CD zones	Yes: from $110 a year
Masset	Draft bylaw: Rural Residential, R-1 to R-3, ALR	Draft bylaw: licence required; fee not stated
McBride	Not stated; Zoning Bylaw not read	Yes: $75 a year
Merritt	Yes, in all zones except RC1	Yes: $150 a year plus $50 application fee
Metchosin	Yes, in listed zones; up to 2 per lot	Yes: $35 with 1 employee, $65 with 2 or more
Midway	Not stated; Zoning Bylaw not read	Yes: $50 a year
Mission	Yes, in all A, RU, RR, S, R and UC zones	Yes: $158 a year
Montrose	Yes, in R1, R2, R2(d) and RU zones	Yes; no fee stated
Nakusp	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $100 a year
Nanaimo	Yes, in any dwelling unit regardless of zoning	Yes: $165 a year (general fee)
Nelson	Yes, in all zones with a residential use	Yes: $80 a year
New Denver	Yes, in R1 zone (for example)	Yes; renew before February 15
New Hazelton	Yes, in R-1, R-2, R-6 and RU zones	Yes: $12.50
New Westminster	Yes, in most residential districts	Yes: $59 application fee; $214 a year (1 to 3 persons)
North Cowichan	Yes, in listed zones; listed business types only	Yes: $100 application; renewal $100 ($125 after February 28)
North Saanich	Yes, in zones that list it	Yes: $50 a year
North Vancouver	Yes, in listed residential zones	Yes: $127.02 a year plus $52.07 application fee
Northern Rockies	Yes, in listed zones (minor or major)	Yes: by business type, e.g. $40 or $100
Oak Bay	Yes, in residential zones; at most two per dwelling unit	Yes: $50 a year
Oliver	Yes, where the zone lists it; one per parcel	Yes: $75 a year
Osoyoos	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $75 a year
Parksville	Yes, in zones that list it	Yes: $75 a year
Peachland	Yes, at your principal residence (Types I to III)	Yes: $125 a year plus $30 application fee
Pemberton	Yes, in R-1 zone (for example)	Yes; fee not stated
Penticton	Yes, minor in most residential zones	Yes: $210 base fee plus $31 application deposit
Pitt Meadows	Yes, where the zone lists it	Yes: $49 a year (to Dec 31, 2026)
Port Alberni	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $132 a year (general fee)
Port Alice	Not stated; OCP lists it in R1 areas	Yes: $50 a year
Port Clements	Yes, in all zones	Yes: $30 annual
Port Coquitlam	Yes, in agricultural and residential zones	Yes: $90 a year
Port Edward	Yes, in all residential zones	Yes: $100
Port Hardy	Yes, minor in all residential zones read	Yes: $120 a year
Port McNeill	Yes, in any zone	Yes: $80 a year
Port Moody	Yes, Types A and B in single detached zones	Yes: $155 a year
Pouce Coupe	Yes, in R-1, R-2, A-1 and some C-2, CD-1	"If required"; fee as per applicable category
Powell River	Yes, at principal residence with a licence	Yes: $100 a year (Tier 1), $150 (Tier 2)
Prince George	Yes, in AR, RS, RT and some RM zones	Yes: $95.07 to $215.32 by type, plus $100 processing
Prince Rupert	Yes, with single or two family dwelling	Yes: $85 a year
Princeton	Yes, major or minor in listed zones	Yes: $90 basic fee
Qualicum Beach	Yes, in Residential 1, 2 and Rural zones	Yes: $110 a year (catch-all fee)
Quesnel	Yes, with a business licence, in listed zones	Yes: $50 minor, $75 major; $50 admin fee
Radium Hot Springs	Yes, in R2, R3, R4 and AG zones	Yes: $100 a year
Revelstoke	Yes, Type I in all residential zones	Yes: $58 a year plus $58 application fee (new)
Richmond	Yes, in most residential zones; limited kinds	Yes; fee depends on business category
Rossland	Yes, in all zones	Yes: $75 a year
Saanich	Yes, in any zone as an accessory use	Yes: $100 a year ($50 home crafts)
Salmo	Yes, in R-1, MH-1, RM-1 and RR-1 zones	Yes: $60 a year
Salmon Arm	Yes, in many zones; up to 2 per parcel	Yes: by category, e.g. $100 crafters, $175 contracting
Salt Spring Island	Yes, for listed occupations; indoors only	Not confirmed
Sayward	Yes, in R-1, RU-1 and RU-ALR	Yes: $65 a year ($30 artisan)
Sechelt	Yes, in any dwelling unit	Yes: $150 a year
Sicamous	Licence category exists; zones not stated	Yes, where the use is permitted; fee not stated
Sidney	Yes, as a conditional use	Yes: $100 ($50 for minor home occupation)
Silverton	Yes, in R-1, C-1 and I-1 zones	Yes: $50 a year
Slocan	Yes, in R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones	Yes: $75 a year
Smithers	Yes, in all residential dwellings	Yes: $165 per year
Sooke	Yes, in rural, R1 to R3 and listed zones	Yes: $50 a year
Spallumcheen	Yes, in R.1, S.H., C.R., A.2 and L.H. zones	Yes: $100 application plus $30 annual base fee
Sparwood	Only where zoning permits the use	Yes; home occupation licence exists, fee not stated
Squamish	Office uses in residential zones; others limited	Yes; home-based licence form, fee not stated
Stewart	Yes, in R1, R2 and MHP zones	Yes; fee not stated
Summerland	Yes, Types 1 to 3 by zone	Yes: $50 (Type 1), $125 (Type 2), $175 (Type 3)
Sun Peaks	Yes, in listed zones	Yes: $175 flat (no home-business class)
Surrey	Yes, Type I in zones allowing single family or duplex	Yes: by category, e.g. $269 consultant; $50 online
Tahsis	Yes, in any zone, with conditions	Not confirmed
Taylor	Yes, in A-1, A-2 and R-1 to R-4 zones	Yes: $130 a year
Telkwa	Yes, in zones that list it, including R1 and R2	Yes: $127.56 a year
Terrace	Yes, with a licence; Level 1 in all residential zones	Yes: $68 a year
Tofino	Yes, in zones that list it	Yes: by business type, e.g. $116.90 to $233.70
Township of Langley	Yes, in all zones that permit residential use	Yes: $50 a year plus $50 application fee
Trail	Yes, in R1, R3, R4, R6, R7, R8 and C9 zones	Yes: $90 a year (general rate)
Tumbler Ridge	Yes, minor in R1, R2, R3, MHL, MHP, RM1, RM2, C1	Yes: $50 a year (minor or major)
Ucluelet	Yes, in zones that list it	Yes: $35 new application; annual fee by class
Valemount	Yes, minor in all residential and mixed-use zones	Yes: $50 a year
Vanderhoof	Yes, in listed zones as an accessory use	Yes: $150 a year
Vernon	Yes, in housing zones as an accessory use	Yes: $90 a year plus $50 application fee
Victoria	Yes, in listed zones	Yes: $100 per year
View Royal	Yes, in A, R, RT, RM, C-1 and most CD zones	Yes: $100 a year ($50 home crafts)
Warfield	Yes, with a licence, in listed zones	Yes: $55 a year
Wells	Yes, in listed zones	Not confirmed
West Kelowna	Yes, major in listed zones; minor in others	Yes: $60 a year ($135 with fire inspection)
West Vancouver	Yes, in RS1 zone; check zone	Yes; fee not stated
Whistler	Yes, in all zones	Yes: $190 annual plus $25 new application
White Rock	Yes, in all zones allowing residential use	Yes: by business type; unlisted $150 plus $25 per employee
Williams Lake	Yes, in R-1 to R-5 and RR-1 zones	Yes: by category, e.g. $100 or $120

Reading this table

Allowed: stated for 158 places.
Business licence: stated for 150 places, not confirmed for 8.

Each cell is a short form of the fact on that place's own page. Open the place to see the full wording, the bylaw and section it comes from, and the official text it was matched against. None set means the bylaw that was read sets no such rule. Not confirmed means it could not be established from the official sources, for example because the bylaw is posted as a scanned image.

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