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Kimberley home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

Kimberley, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes. In Kimberley, Zoning Bylaw 1850 allows class 3 home businesses (residents only, no customer visits) in all zones, and class 1 or class 2 depending on your zone. You also need a City business licence. Vehicle repair is not allowed.

Key facts

AllowedYes. Class 3 (residents only, no customer visits or extra traffic) is allowed in all zones. Class 1 (residents only) is allowed in RL, RM-A, RM-B, RM-C, RM-D, RMHP, DMU-2 and CD-6; class 2 (plus up to two non-resident employees) in RS, RSMH, RSTA and CD-5. Alpine Resort Bylaw 2016 has its own zones.Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (PDF, consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 3.04; Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (PDF, consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.03(2); Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (PDF, consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 7.04(3); Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (PDF, consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 7.03(3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Classification 2 - An occupation, service, profession or craft which is clearly
residents of the dwelling unit plus no more than two (2) non-resident
assistants or employees
(c) home based business (classification 1)
(c) home based business (classification 2) only as an accessory use to the
(c) home based business (classification 3)
The following uses are permitted in all Zones
home based business (classification 3)
home based business (classification 2) only as an accessory use to the
principal dwelling unit of a single unit dwelling or duplex dwelling;
home based business (classification 1);
Business licenceYes. All businesses in Kimberley need a business licence. Fees are set by business category in the Business Licence Bylaw No. 1325 Schedule B; there is no separate home-based category, so the fee is that of the type of business (for example $50 for many personal and repair services, $100 for professional services and contractors, $50 bed and breakfast).Business Licenses; Business Licence Fee Schedule, Bylaw 1325 Schedule B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
All businesses located in or providing services within City of Kimberley boundaries must be in possession of a valid business license.
Bed & Breakfasts
$50.00
Accountants
$100.00
Beauty Salons or Hairdressers
$50.00
LimitsNo offensive noise, traffic, smoke, dust or odour; carried on wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building; no exterior display or sign except under a sign permit; no parking in the required front yard except on a paved driveway; no more than weekly commercial delivery; only sales of goods made on the property. Employees: residents only (class 1, 3); class 2 adds up to two non-residents. No floor-area cap.Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (PDF, consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.07 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
It shall be carried on wholly within the dwelling unit or within an accessory building.
There shall be no exterior indication of the home-based business either by
signage authorized under a valid sign permit.
Parking for a home-based business shall not be located in the required front
more than weekly delivery by a commercial vehicle or trailer.
Only retail sales of products or goods produced or fabricated on the property
residents of the dwelling unit plus no more than two (2) non-resident
(5) Materials and commodities shall not be delivered to or from the residence in
Businesses not allowedVehicle repair is excluded from all three classes. Class 3 excludes customer or client visits and extra traffic. Retail sales are limited to goods made on the property.Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (PDF, consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 3.04 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
but does not include the repair of vehicles.
does not include the visitation of
customers or clients, the generation of additional traffic, or the repair of
BylawCity of Kimberley Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (s. 3.04 definitions, s. 4.07 home based businesses) and Business Licence Bylaw No. 1325, 1979.Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (PDF, consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), s. 4.07; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1325, 1979 (PDF, consolidated 2013), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A home based business, where permitted by this Bylaw, shall be in compliance with
KIMBERLEY BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW, 1979

How it works

Zoning Bylaw 1850 defines three classes of home business, and a business licence is still required. Class 3 (residents only, no customer or client visits or extra traffic) is allowed in all zones. Class 1 (residents only) is allowed in RL, RM-A, RM-B, RM-C, RM-D, RMHP, DMU-2 and CD-6. Class 2 (residents plus up to two non-resident employees) is allowed in RS, RSMH, RSTA and CD-5. The Alpine Resort area has its own zoning bylaw, so ask Planning there.

Steps

  1. Ask Planning Services which class your zone allows.
  2. Complete Business Licence Application Form A. It asks for the total gross area of the home and the floor space the business uses.
  3. Email it to info@kimberley.ca or take it to City Hall, 340 Spokane Street, and pay the fee for your type of business. Examples from Schedule B: $50 for many personal and repair services, $100 for professional services and contractors, $50 for a bed and breakfast.

Good to know

  • The business must be carried on wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building, with no offensive noise, traffic, smoke, dust or odour.
  • No exterior display or sign except under a sign permit.
  • No parking in the required front yard except on a paved driveway.
  • Commercial deliveries no more than weekly.
  • Only goods made on the property may be sold.
  • Vehicle repair is excluded from all three classes. The bylaw sets no floor-area cap.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Cranbrook · Canal Flats · Fernie · Creston · Kaslo · Sparwood

Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1850, 1994 (PDF, consolidated to Jan. 14, 2026), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Business Licenses, City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Business Licence Application Form A (PDF), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Business Licence Bylaw No. 1325, 1979 (PDF, consolidated 2013), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Business Licence Fee Schedule, Bylaw 1325 Schedule B (PDF), City of Kimberley (read 2026-11-05)

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.