---
title: Hope home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home in Hope?"
place: Hope, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/hope
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Hope
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/home-based-business.json"
---

# Hope home-based business rules

**Question:** Can I run a business from my home in Hope?

**Short answer:** Yes, in Hope, as an accessory use in the RS-1 zone, rural zones L-1, AG-1, RU-1 and CR-1, and multi-family zones such as RM-1 and RM-2, under the conditions in section 8.6 of the Zoning Bylaw. You also need a District business licence ($150 a year).

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Hope, https://www.hope.ca)  
**Cost:** Business licence $150 a year (the highest fee applies if the business fits more than one category). The fee schedule has no separate home-based category.  
**How long:** A complete licence application is typically processed in 10 to 14 business days.  
**Where:**
- Email: Business licences and general inquiries, info@hope.ca
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 604-869-5671
- In person: Municipal Hall, 325 Wallace Street, Hope, BC V0X 1L0

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, as an accessory use in the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (RS-1) zone and the rural zones L-1, AG-1, RU-1 and CR-1, and in multi-family zones such as RM-1 and RM-2, always subject to the conditions in s. 8.6.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 10.1.2](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Home based business, subject to Section 8.6.2."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6.1, 8.6.3](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf)
  - Official wording: "All home based businesses in the Residential Multi-Family Zones RM-1, RM-2, MHP-1, CD-5, CD-6" … "All home based business in the Rural Zones L-1, AG-1, RU-1. CR-1"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. Every owner or operator of a business in the District must hold a business licence, including home-based businesses. The standard business licence fee is $150 a year; if a business fits more than one category the highest fee applies.
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, s. 3(a), s. 32](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86962/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw%20%28FEB%202019%29%281%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Every owner or operator of a business in the Municipality shall hold a valid" … "Where a business, including home occupation, has more than one use touching"
  - Source: [Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, Schedule B](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86974/Fees_Charges_Bylaw)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Bylaw and/or amendments. CATEGORIES FEE Business Licence $150.00 Automatic Teller Machines (in locations other than $30.00 financial institutions)"
  - Source: [Business Licence Information](https://hope.ca/business-licence-information)
  - Official wording: "operating a home-based or mobile business"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** RS-1 and other single or two-family zones: 2 people (1 living there); up to one third of the dwelling floor area; no outdoor storage; signs only as the Sign Bylaw allows; 1 customer parking space. Rural zones: 3 people (1 living there); accessory building up to 400 m²; screened outdoor storage; 1 space per employee plus 1 customer space.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6.2](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no more than 2 persons of which 1 must reside" … "must not exceed one third of the floor area of the dwelling unit" … "shall not exceed 10% of the total site coverage on the same parcel" … "no outdoor storage associated with the home based business shall be permitted on the parcel on" … "1 parking space per employee, plus" … "1 customer parking space" … "no more than 3 persons of which 1 must reside"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6.3](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no more than 3 persons of which 1 must reside" … "not exceeding a floor area of 400 square metres" … "outdoor storage of materials, products and equipment associated with the home based business shall be"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses not allowed:** No complete list of banned types. No home business may use materials or products that produce inflammable or explosive vapours, smoke, noxious gases or fumes. Commercial vehicle repairs or maintenance, vehicle sales and storage of wrecked vehicles are not allowed on parcels in residential zones.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6.2(g), s. 5.6.3](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no home based business may utilize materials or products that produce inflammable or explosive" … "No vehicle repairs or maintenance of a commercial nature, vehicle sales, or storage of wrecked"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, s. 8.6 (consolidated to March 20, 2025); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf)
  - Official wording: "HOME BASED BUSINESS" … "ZONING BYLAW NO. 1324, 2012"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, Title](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86962/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw%20%28FEB%202019%29%281%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW NO. 1124"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Section 8.6 of the [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324](<https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf>) sets the conditions. Every business in Hope, including a home-based one, also needs a licence under the [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124](<https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86962/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw%20%28FEB%202019%29%281%29.pdf>). The licence year runs January 1 to December 31.

| Zone | People | Space | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| RS-1 and other single or two-family zones | 2 (1 living there) | Up to one third of the dwelling floor area | No outdoor storage; signs only as the Sign Bylaw allows; 1 customer parking space |
| Rural zones | 3 (1 living there) | Accessory building up to 400 m² | Screened outdoor storage; 1 space per employee plus 1 customer space |
| Multi-family zones | Not stated | Solely within the dwelling unit | No outdoor storage; no more traffic than the dwelling alone |

## Steps

1. Check your zone with Planning (planning@hope.ca or 604-869-5671).
2. Complete the Business Licence Application Form and submit it to the District (info@hope.ca). Planning, Bylaw, Fire and Corporate Services review it.
3. Pay the licence fee. See the business-licence answer.

## Good to know

- No home business may use materials or products that produce inflammable or explosive vapours, smoke, noxious gases or fumes.
- Commercial vehicle repairs or maintenance, vehicle sales and storage of wrecked vehicles are not allowed on parcels in residential zones.
- There is no complete list of banned business types. Rural parcels below the zone's minimum lot area follow the RS-1 conditions.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licence Information, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/business-licence-information)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012 (PDF)](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Hope business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/business-licence.md)
- [Hope short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/short-term-rental.md)
- [Hope zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business.md)
- [Kent](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/home-based-business.md)
- [Harrison Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/harrison-hot-springs/home-based-business.md)
- [Chilliwack](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/home-based-business.md)
- [Princeton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/home-based-business.md)
- [Abbotsford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/home-based-business.md)
- [Mission](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86966/ConsolidatedMar202025COMBINED_UDXvHH.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019 (PDF), District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86962/Business%20Licence%20Bylaw%20%28FEB%202019%29%281%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, Schedule B, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/uploads/dm/86974/Fees_Charges_Bylaw) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licence Information, District of Hope](https://hope.ca/business-licence-information) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Hope. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/home-based-business/_