---
title: Invermere home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home in Invermere?"
place: Invermere, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/invermere
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Invermere
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/home-based-business.json"
---

# Invermere home-based business rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In Invermere a home based business is allowed as an accessory use in many residential zones if it follows s. 3.7 of the Zoning Bylaw, and it needs a District business licence ($150 to apply, $150 to renew). Retail stores are excluded.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Invermere, https://invermere.net)  
**Cost:** General Business Licence: $150 application and $150 renewal (Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1615, Schedule F). No separate home-business fee is listed.  
**How long:** See the business-licence answer; the District's page says a licence is typically issued in 7 to 10 working days.  
**Where:**
- In person: Municipal Hall, 914 8th Avenue, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Email: Business licensing, info@invermere.net
- Phone: District office, 250-342-9281

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes. Home Based Business is an accessory use in the R-1, R-1(A), R-2, R-2S, R-2(A), RM-2, R-3, R-3A, R-4, R-MP, RR-1 and RR-2 zones, and in the multi-family phases of the CT-1 zone. It must follow s. 3.7. Not allowed on a tourist home site in the R-3A zone.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated, Section 5 zone lists; s. 3.7](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/)
  - Official wording: "(a) Home Based Business;" … "A home based business, where permitted by this Bylaw, shall be in compliance with the following:" … "Home Based Business means an occupation, service, profession or craft which is clearly" … "incidental to the use of a dwelling unit for residential purposes or to the residential use of a parcel" … "Home Based Business; and Other uses, buildings and" … "(g) Not operate a Home Based Business or Bed & breakfast operation on"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Business licence:** Yes. A District business licence is required; home occupations are within the bylaw's definition of business. General Business Licence: $150 application and $150 renewal. A signed application form for home-based businesses is required.
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025, ss. 2, 3.1](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(c) carrying on a home occupation pursuant to the bylaws of the District of Invermere; or" … "(a) A person will not carry on business in the District without first having obtained and paid for a"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1682, 2025, Schedule F](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1682-fees-and-charges-amendment-bylaw.pdf)
  - Official wording: "General Business Licence $150 $150"
  - Source: [Business Licencing, FAQ](https://invermere.net/business/business-licencing/)
  - Official wording: "(Home Based Businesses and Child Care Businesses must submit a signed copy of the appropriate Application Form)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits:** Family living there plus at most one non-resident helper; kept inside the dwelling or an accessory building, with no outside storage or exterior evidence of the business (vehicles excepted); signs follow the Sign Bylaw. Outdoor use only on parcels of 2.0 ha or more, not in the front yard, up to 185 m². Up to 2 customer parking spaces.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated, ss. 3.7(1)-(5), 4.5(10)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/)
  - Official wording: "with the assistance of not more than one person who does not reside in a dwelling" … "finished product and no exterior evidence of the home based business, except for a" … "(a) the parcel on which the home based business is carried out is 2.0 ha (4.9 acres) or" … "to exceed 185 m2 (1991 ft2) in area." … "A maximum of two (2) off-street parking spaces shall be provided for customers and clients" … "Erection of signs shall comply with regulations of the Sign Bylaw."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Businesses not allowed:** Retail stores are specifically excluded as a home based business.
  - Source: [Business Licencing, FAQ](https://invermere.net/business/business-licencing/)
  - Official wording: "Retail stores are specifically excluded as a home based business."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, s. 3.7; Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated, s. 3.7](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/)
  - Official wording: "development, which would prevent the parcels from being sold or transferred separately. Home Based Business 3.7 A home based business, where permitted by this Bylaw, shall be in compliance with the following:" … "1.1 Title 1.1.1 This bylaw shall be referred to as the "District of Invermere Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002". 1.2 Purpose"
  - Source: [Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025, Title](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BYLAW NO. 1683, 2025"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

In Invermere, Home Based Business is an accessory use in the R-1, R-1(A), R-2, R-2S, R-2(A), RM-2, R-3, R-3A, R-4, R-MP, RR-1 and RR-2 zones, and in the multi-family phases of the CT-1 zone. It must follow s. 3.7 of [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/). It is not allowed on a tourist home site in the R-3A zone. You also need a District business licence under [Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf).

## Steps

1. Check that your zone lists Home Based Business (see zoning-lookup).
2. Complete the business licence application form for home-based businesses, signed.
3. Email it to info@invermere.net or hand it in at 914 8th Avenue.
4. Pay the $150 fee. Renew each year for $150.

## Good to know

- Only family living there plus at most one non-resident helper may work in the business.
- Keep it inside the dwelling or an accessory building, with no outside storage or exterior evidence of the business (vehicles excepted). Signs must follow the Sign Bylaw.
- Outdoor use is allowed only on parcels of 2.0 ha or more, not in the front yard, up to 185 m². Up to 2 customer parking spaces.
- Retail stores are specifically excluded, according to the District's FAQ.
- The bylaw states no hours of operation and no floor-area cap inside the dwelling; ask Planning.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licencing, District of Invermere](https://invermere.net/business/business-licencing/)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated (PDF)](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/)
- [Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF)](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## The same question elsewhere

- [Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business.md)
- [Radium Hot Springs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/radium-hot-springs/home-based-business.md)
- [Canal Flats](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/canal-flats/home-based-business.md)
- [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/home-based-business.md)
- [Elkford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/elkford/home-based-business.md)
- [Kimberley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kimberley/home-based-business.md)
- [Cranbrook](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cranbrook/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1145, 2002, consolidated (PDF), District of Invermere](https://invermere.civicweb.net/document/20335/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licencing Bylaw No. 1683, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1683-business-licencing-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 1682, 2025 (PDF), District of Invermere](https://invermere.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bylaw-1682-fees-and-charges-amendment-bylaw.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licencing, District of Invermere](https://invermere.net/business/business-licencing/) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Invermere. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/invermere/home-based-business/_