GovHandbook

Lake Country home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home in Lake Country?

Lake Country, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

Short answer

In Lake Country you can run a home-based business as a secondary use in agricultural, residential and rural zones, with a District business licence: $65, or $125 if clients or customers come to your home, plus a $30 application fee. Size, staff and sign limits depend on whether your lot is residential, country residential or rural.

Key facts

AllowedYes, as a secondary use in agricultural, residential and rural zones. Residential Home Occupation applies in RM, RR, RU and C zones; in A and RLP zones it is a Country Residential Home Occupation on parcels under 1.0 ha and a Rural Home Occupation on parcels of 1.0 ha or more.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.2, Table 10.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Home Occupations are permitted within agricultural, residential and rural zones in
RM, RR, RU and C zones
Country Residential
Rural Home
Business licenceYes. A business licence is required for home-based businesses: $125 if clients or customers come to the home, $65 if not, plus a $30 application fee. Applicants sign and attach the Residential Home Occupation Regulations.Business Licencing, Business Licencing page; Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), Schedule 15 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
This includes home-based businesses and short-term vacation rentals.
review the Residential Home Occupation Regulations [PDF/119KB], sign and attach to the business licence application.
Home Based Businesses (receive clients and customers within the home) $125.00
(do not receive clients or customers within the $65.00
Application Fee (excluding short term vacation rentals and bed and $30.00
LimitsResidential (RM, RR, RU, C): 25% of floor area, max 40 m²; one non-resident employee; one 0.28 m² sign. Country Residential (A, RLP under 1 ha): max 50 m²; 0.37 m² sign. Rural (A, RLP 1 ha+): 100 m² plus 50 m² storage; two employees; two 0.56 m² signs; two commercial vehicles.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.4; Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 9.1 parking table; Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The maximum floor area is 25 % of the total floor area of the principal dwelling
to a maximum of 40 m².
sign area of 0.28 m² and a maximum height
there may be one non-resident employee working on site at any given time.
The maximum floor area is 100 m², plus a maximum of 50 m² of storage space.
there may be two non-resident
each sign is permitted a maximum
1 for each non-resident employee plus 1 in addition to
that required for the principal dwelling unit(s)
The home occupation must not create off-site traffic congestion or parking
Businesses not allowedResidential and Country Residential: exterior storage, vehicle or marine repair, auto-body, welding, wrecking yards, eating or drinking places (catering allowed), vets or kennels, meat or fish processing, amusement centres, funeral homes, cannabis production. Rural (1 ha+): exterior storage over 50 m² and more than two commercial vehicles are prohibited.Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Parking of commercial vehicles larger than 5500 kg gross vehicle weight;
Eating or drinking establishment but does not include catering;
Veterinary hospital or kennels;
Cannabis Production.
Exterior storage more than 50 m² in size;
Parking of more than two commercial vehicles over 5000 kg. gross
BylawZoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (ss. 10.2 to 10.6); Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated), s. 10.2; Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
general regulations, these specific use regulations shall take precedence. 10.2. Home Occupations Home Occupations are permitted within agricultural, residential and rural zones in
DISTRICT OF LAKE COUNTRY ZONING BYLAW 561, 2007 CONSOLIDATED VERSION
BUSINESS LICENSING BYLAW 1000, 2017

How it works

In the District of Lake Country, home-based businesses are a secondary use in agricultural, residential and rural zones under the Zoning Bylaw. Residential Home Occupation applies in RM, RR, RU and C zones. In A and RLP zones it is a Country Residential Home Occupation on parcels under 1.0 ha and a Rural Home Occupation on parcels of 1.0 ha or more. Farming is not a home occupation. On-site retail sales are allowed only if the product is produced on the premises.

Steps

  1. Check your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and which lot type applies.
  2. Check the limits below.
  3. Apply for a business licence with the District. You sign and attach the Residential Home Occupation Regulations.

Good to know

  • Residential (RM, RR, RU, C): 25% of floor area, maximum 40 m²; one non-resident employee; one 0.28 m² sign.
  • Country Residential (A, RLP under 1 ha): maximum 50 m²; 0.37 m² sign.
  • Rural (A, RLP 1 ha or more): 100 m² plus 50 m² of storage; two employees; two 0.56 m² signs; two commercial vehicles.
  • Not allowed (residential and country residential): exterior storage, vehicle or marine repair, auto-body, welding, wrecking yards, eating or drinking places (catering is allowed), vets or kennels, meat or fish processing, amusement centres, funeral homes and cannabis production. On rural lots, exterior storage over 50 m² and more than two commercial vehicles are prohibited.
  • Home-based businesses are exempt from the fire, building and bylaw officer endorsement that other businesses need.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Kelowna · Vernon · Coldstream · West Kelowna · Lumby · Peachland

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw 561, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Business Licencing, District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Business Licensing Bylaw 1000, 2017 (consolidated) (PDF), District of Lake Country (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.