GovHandbook

Ladysmith home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home in Ladysmith?

Ladysmith, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

Yes, in Ladysmith you can run up to two home based businesses per parcel in zones that allow them, including RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2, R-2-B and R-3. You need a Town business licence ($100 a year) and must meet the size and staffing limits in the Zoning Bylaw.

Key facts

AllowedYes, as an accessory use in zones that list it (including RU-1, R-1, R-1-A, R-2, R-2-B and R-3). Up to two home based businesses per parcel, in the dwelling, a secondary suite, a coach house or an accessory building.Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860 (PDF, consolidated September 29, 2026), s. 6.8(a)-(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No more than two Home Based Businesses shall be permitted on a Parcel.
Home Based Businesses shall be permitted in the Principal Dwelling Unit, a
Secondary Suite, a Coach House Dwelling, and in an Accessory Building.
Home Based Business, subject to Part 6, Section 6.8.
Business licenceYes. All home based businesses need a business licence, renewed annually: $100 a year ($50 for a new business applying July 1 to December 31).Home Based Business Guide, Other Considerations; Business Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
All home based business require a business licence
The cost of an annual business licence is $100.
If you are a new business to Ladysmith and apply between July 1st and December 31st, your cost will be prorated to $50.
LimitsUp to 40 m² or 40% of the dwelling unit, whichever is less (coach house: 40 m² or 50%). Two people employed, one a resident (no non-resident staff in a suite or coach house). Retail only of items made on site, 6 m² maximum. No outdoor storage, except 45 m² enclosed for contractors and trades. Parking on the parcel.Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860 (PDF, consolidated September 29, 2026), s. 6.8(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Not more than two persons may be employed on a Parcel at any time in a
Shall not exceed a maximum of 40.0 square metres Gross Floor Area or 40 percent of the Dwelling Unit Gross Floor Area, whichever is less.
Shall not exceed a maximum of 6.0 square metres of the maximum area of a
Shall not involve the outdoor storage of material, equipment, apparatus, tools
Shall accommodate on the Parcel any parking required for the Use of the
maximum of 45 square metres of enclosed outdoor storage space on the
of two students on the premises per instructor at any one time.
Businesses not allowedNo home business types are banned by name, but kennels, pawnshops and drive-through uses are prohibited in every zone. The conditions also rule out retail of goods not made on site (except phone, internet or mail orders), outdoor storage (with a trades exception) and more than two employees.Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860 (PDF, consolidated September 29, 2026), s. 6.8(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Shall not involve the ancillary Retail Sales of a product, commodity or
materials unless it is produced on the premises, except for products ancillary
to telephone, internet or mail order sales, provided the customer does not
A Kennel Use.
A Pawnshop Use.
A Use with a Drive-through service.
BylawZoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, s. 6.8 (Home Based Business Regulations); Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513.Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860 (PDF, consolidated September 29, 2026), s. 1.1; Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Schedule A - Zoning Bylaw Text of "Town of Ladysmith Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860".
Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513

How it works

Under section 6.8 of the Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, a home based business is an accessory use in zones that list it. You may have up to two per parcel, in the dwelling, a secondary suite, a coach house or an accessory building. Check your zone's accessory uses, since a few zones list it differently. All home based businesses need a business licence, renewed annually.

Limits

  • Size: up to 40 m² or 40% of the dwelling unit, whichever is less (coach house: 40 m² or 50%).
  • Staff: two people employed, one of them a resident. No non-resident staff in a suite or coach house.
  • Retail only of items made on site, 6 m² maximum (phone, internet or mail orders are fine).
  • No outdoor storage, except 45 m² of enclosed storage for contractors and trades.
  • Parking on the parcel. Instructors may have at most two students at a time.
  • The business must stay accessory to the residence and not change its appearance.

Steps

  1. Confirm your zone allows it with Development Services.
  2. Complete the Business Licence Application and send it to the Financial Services Coordinator.
  3. If you want a sign, apply for a Sign Permit under the Sign & Canopy Bylaw.

Good to know

  • No home business types are banned by name, but kennels, pawnshops and uses with drive-through service are prohibited in every zone.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

North Cowichan · Duncan · Lake Cowichan · Nanaimo · Lantzville · North Saanich

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw 2014, No. 1860 (PDF, consolidated September 29, 2026), Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Home Based Business Guide (PDF), Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Business Licences, Town of Ladysmith (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Business License Bylaw 2003, No. 1513 (PDF), Town of Ladysmith (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.