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

# Kent home-based business rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes, in most zones in the District of Kent. Home occupations are an auxiliary use and you need a business licence. Only one home occupation is allowed, and size, staff and vehicle limits depend on your zone and business type.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Kent, https://www.kentbc.ca)  
**Cost:** Business licence: $125 for most businesses. $500 plus $1 per m² applies to a home occupation in or partly in a building other than the single family residence.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Business Licence Inspector, 604-796-2235
- In person: Municipal Hall, 7170 Cheam Avenue, Agassiz, BC V0M 1A0 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Planning and Development Services, 604-796-2235
- Email: Planning and Development Services, planning@kentbc.ca

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes. Home occupations are an auxiliary use in most agricultural, rural residential, lake, RS1 and multiple-dwelling residential zones, as listed in the bylaw's tables, and must be auxiliary to the single dwelling or farm residence. The resident must be a registered owner of the business. Only one home occupation is allowed (a second is allowed if there is no increase in area, staff or vehicles).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.12.1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Home occupations shall be auxiliary to the single dwelling residential" … "A home occupation use shall only be permitted when the resident(s) of the"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), Table 7.12.6(b)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A, A1, MR, RR1, RR2, RR3 RS1, RL, and CD2 (excluding multiple-"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. Anyone carrying on business in the District needs a licence. The fee schedule lists $500 plus $1 per m² for a home occupation in or partly in a building other than the single family residence; other businesses not listed pay $125. It has no separate line for a home occupation inside the house; confirm with the Licence Inspector.
  - Source: [Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1747, 2025, s. 3.1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/4ngnwdaz/bylaw1747.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A person must not engage in or carry on a business within the District unless"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated), Sch. B, Business licence fees](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Home Occupation conducted within or" … "All other Businesses not listed above"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** Typical limits (table 7.12.6(b)): inside the house, under 20% of its floor area and at most 46 m² in RS1, RL and CD2; up to 75 m² on rural lots under 0.2 ha and 140 m² on 0.2 ha or more; 1 non-resident employee (up to 2 or 4 on rural lots); 1 business vehicle under 3,900 kg; no unenclosed storage in RS1; no street parking; one sign; no external alterations.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), Table 7.12.6(b)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall occupy less than twenty percent" … "not to exceed 46 square metres (495 square feet)" … "Shall not exceed 75 square metres (807 square feet)" … "Shall not to exceed 140 square metres (1,507"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.12.5](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Off-street parking shall be provided for the home occupation use such that no" … "customer vehicles, business vehicles, or employee vehicles are parked on the"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.12.1(f)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "A home occupation shall not involve external structural alterations to the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses not allowed:** Any use not listed is not permitted. Listed as not permitted: auto wrecking, restaurants and cafes, sales of motor vehicles, RVs and boats, vehicle repair shops, cabinet makers, fitness facilities, taxi or courier service, storage facilities, veterinary clinics and boarding kennels, welding shops, second-hand stores, private schools.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.12.7](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Non permitted home occupation uses are those not specifically listed as well as" … "automotive wrecking and salvage" … "taxi or courier service" … "storage facility"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001, s. 7.12; Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1747, 2025
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025), s. 7.12](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "7.11 Vision Clearance at Intersections .................................................. 42 7.12 Home Occupations ........................................................................ 42 7.13 Short-term Rentals ......................................................................... 52" … "Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 February 2002"
  - Source: [Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1747, 2025, s. 1.1](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/4ngnwdaz/bylaw1747.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licencing and Regulation"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the District's [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf) (section 7.12), a home occupation is an auxiliary use in most agricultural, rural residential, lake, RS1 and multiple-dwelling residential zones, as the zone tables list. It must be auxiliary to the single dwelling or farm residence, and the resident must be a registered owner of the business. Only one home occupation is allowed (a second is allowed if there is no increase in area, staff or vehicles).

Anyone carrying on business in the District needs a licence under [Bylaw No. 1747](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/4ngnwdaz/bylaw1747.pdf). The [Fees and Charges Bylaw](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf) lists $500 plus $1 per m² for a home occupation in or partly in a building other than the single family residence. Other businesses not listed pay $125. There is no separate line for a home occupation inside the house.

## Steps

1. Check your zone and the home occupation table in the Zoning Bylaw.
2. Contact the Licence Inspector (604-796-2235) to confirm which fee applies.
3. Apply for the business licence (see the business-licence answer).

## Good to know

- Typical limits (table 7.12.6(b)): inside the house, under 20% of its floor area and at most 46 m² in RS1, RL and CD2; up to 75 m² on rural lots under 0.2 ha and 140 m² on 0.2 ha or more; 1 non-resident employee (up to 2 or 4 on rural lots); 1 business vehicle under 3,900 kg; no unenclosed storage in RS1; no street parking; one sign; no external alterations.
- Condo and townhouse zones: entirely inside the unit, under 20% of floor area and 19 m², no employees, at most 2 clients at a time.
- Large trade home occupations (contractor, mechanic, welder, transport truck) need larger lots, 0.4 to 1.6 ha.
- Not permitted: auto wrecking, restaurants and cafes, sales of motor vehicles, RVs and boats, vehicle repair shops, cabinet makers, fitness facilities, taxi or courier service, storage facilities, veterinary clinics and boarding kennels, welding shops, second-hand stores, private schools. Any use not listed is not permitted.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf)
- [Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1747, 2025 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/4ngnwdaz/bylaw1747.pdf)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf)

## Related questions

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

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1219, 2001 (PDF, consolidated October 6, 2025)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/5aefsox2/zoning-bylaw_consolidated-october-6-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1747, 2025 (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/4ngnwdaz/bylaw1747.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1717, 2023 (PDF, consolidated)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/kentbc-ca/media/0tcgzwdh/bylaw1717consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Contacts directory, District of Kent](https://www.kentbc.ca/contacts-directory/) (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 Kent. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kent/home-based-business/_