Hope home-based business rules
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).
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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 10.1.2; Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6.1, 8.6.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHome based business, subject to Section 8.6.2. 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 |
|---|---|
| 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.Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, s. 3(a), s. 32; Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, Schedule B; Business Licence Information · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery 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 Business Licence Bylaw and/or amendments. CATEGORIES FEE Business Licence $150.00 Automatic Teller Machines (in locations other than $30.00 financial institutions) operating a home-based or mobile business |
| 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6.2; Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingno 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 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 |
| 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6.2(g), s. 5.6.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingno 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 |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, s. 8.6 (consolidated to March 20, 2025); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025, s. 8.6; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHOME BASED BUSINESS ZONING BYLAW NO. 1324, 2012 BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW NO. 1124 |
How it works
Section 8.6 of the Zoning Bylaw No. 1324 sets the conditions. Every business in Hope, including a home-based one, also needs a licence under the Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124. 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
- Check your zone with Planning (planning@hope.ca or 604-869-5671).
- Complete the Business Licence Application Form and submit it to the District (info@hope.ca). Planning, Bylaw, Fire and Corporate Services review it.
- 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
The same question in other places
Kent · Harrison Hot Springs · Chilliwack · Princeton · Abbotsford · Mission
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1324, 2012, consolidated to March 20, 2025 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 1124, 2003, consolidated to February 2019 (PDF), District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 1363, 2015, Schedule B, District of Hope (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licence Information, District of Hope (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.