Mackenzie home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

Mackenzie, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Mackenzie you can run a home business with a District business licence if you are the only resident working in it and your zone allows it. Limits include at most 10 visitors a day, no activity from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., and no outside storage.

Key facts

Allowed	Yes, with a business licence, run solely by a resident. Zone use lists allow a home business in A2, RR1, RR2, R1, R2, R3, RM1 to RM4, and home industries in A2, RR1, RR2. Section 4 names A1 but not RM3 or RM4. Confirm your zone with the District.Sources differ: The general section names A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1, R2, R3, RM1 and RM2 for home occupations and A1 to RR2 for home industries, but the zone use lists give 'Home business' only for A2, RR1, RR2, R1, R2, R3 (and RM4) and 'Home industry' only for A2, RR1, RR2. Not in the A1, RM1 and RM2 use lists. Check the zone with the District.Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Home Occupations (Section 4); Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, R1 zone accessory uses · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Home occupations are only permitted in the A1, A2, RR1, RR2, R1, R2, R3, RM1, and RM2 zones. Home industries are only permitted in the A1, A2, RR1 and RR2 zones. ii. Home based business iv. Home business vi. Home business vii. Suite, attached viii. Suite, detached
Business licence	Yes. All home occupations must hold a valid District business licence. The fee follows the business category in Schedule A, for example $80 for personal services or $104 for general business services.Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Home Occupations item 1; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016, consolidated, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording All home occupations must hold a valid Business Licence from the District of Mackenzie. A business must pay the following fee for $80.00 A business must pay the following fee for $104.00
Limits	One resident may work in it. No activity 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. At most 10 visitors a day. One extra paved parking space. No external storage. A home business wholly inside the dwelling: at most 10% of floor area (not day cares); home industry 25%. Signs follow District bylaws.Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Home Occupations items ii, viii, ix, x; Home Businesses 3; Home Industries 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording No more than one person residing in the principal residence where the home occupation No home occupations activities will be conducted between the hours of 10:00 pm and 8:00 including not more than 10 visitors or customers a day One paved parking space is required for a home occupation will not exceed an area of more than 10% of the dwelling floor area will not exceed an area of more than 25% of the principal dwelling A home business that is located wholly within a dwelling unit will not exceed an area of more than 10% of the dwelling floor area. This does not apply to day care home businesses. One paved parking space is required for a home occupation, in addition to those required for the single family dwelling.
Businesses not allowed	Medical, dental or chiropractic offices and veterinary practices; audio recording studios; anything giving off offensive noise, smoke, dust or odour; anything using materials that make flammable or explosive vapours; anything needing bulk deliveries by commercial vehicles or trailers.Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017, Home Occupations and Home Businesses (Section 4) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording other than a medical, dental or chiropractic office or veterinary practitioner but not including an audio recording studio A home occupation is not permitted to use or store materials or processes that produce by commercial vehicles or trailers will not be permitted.
Bylaw	Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (Home Occupations); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016.Bylaws and Regulations, Frequently requested bylaws · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Bylaw No. 1355, Amended by 1390, 1399, 1475 Bylaw No. 1368, Amended by 1517, 1518

How it works

The District of Mackenzie allows home businesses under its Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, and every home occupation must hold a valid District business licence (Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355). The zone use lists allow a home business in A2, RR1, RR2, R1, R2, R3 and RM1 to RM4, and home industries in A2, RR1 and RR2.

The bylaw's general section names a slightly different list of zones (it names A1 but not RM3 or RM4), so confirm your zone with the District.

Steps

Check your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and that your business is not on the not-allowed list below.
Apply for a business licence at the District office. Schedule A has no separate home-based rate; the fee follows your business category.
Keep to the limits below.

Good to know

Only one resident may work in the business. No activity from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. At most 10 visitors a day. No external storage. Signs must follow the District's sign bylaws.
One extra paved parking space is required. A home industry may need up to two extra spaces.
A home business wholly inside the dwelling may use at most 10% of the floor area (day cares excepted: up to eight children); a home industry 25%.
Not allowed: medical, dental or chiropractic offices and veterinary practices; audio recording studios; anything giving off offensive noise, smoke, dust or odour; anything using materials that make flammable or explosive vapours; anything needing bulk deliveries by commercial vehicles or trailers.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Chetwynd · Hudson's Hope · Tumbler Ridge · Fort St James · Vanderhoof · Prince George

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

Sources

Zoning Bylaw No. 1368, 2017 (PDF), District of Mackenzie (read 2026-11-08)
Business Licence Bylaw No. 1355, 2016, consolidated (PDF), District of Mackenzie (read 2026-11-08)
Bylaws and Regulations, District of Mackenzie (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. How answers are checked.