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Maple Ridge home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

Maple Ridge, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Usually yes. The City of Maple Ridge allows home occupations as an accessory use under section 402.14 of Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, with rules that depend on your home type and lot size (Types 1 to 4). You need a business licence (minimum $110 a year) and an inspection first.

Key facts

AllowedYes, as an accessory use on agricultural, residential and CD-zoned lots, entirely inside the dwelling or an accessory building. Type 1: multi-family unit. Type 2: lot under 1,200 m². Type 3: lot 1,200 m² or more. Type 4: lot 0.4 ha or more, where the bylaw expressly permits.Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, section 402.14, s. 402.14(1)-(2); Business Licence Types (Home Occupation), Home Occupation Business · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A Home Occupation Use shall be entirely Enclosed within:
A Home Occupation shall be considered for Lots Zoned Agricultural, Residential
a Type 2 Home Occupation where the operation occurs on a Lot with a Lot Area less than 1,200.0 square metres
a Type 3 Home Occupation where the operation occurs on a Lot with a Lot Area equal to or greater than 1,200.0 square metres
the business must be operated by the occupant(s) of the home
Business licenceYes. A business licence is required. Minimum fee $110 per year (City website); a Bylaw Compliance Officer inspection is required before approval. Licences run to December 31 each year.Business Licence Types (Home Occupation), Home Occupation Business; Business Licensing, FAQ; Type 1 Home Occupation Regulations, Type 1 brochure, step 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
along with a minimum payment of $110.00.
Inspections are required.
The minimum fee is $110 per year.
An inspection by a Bylaw Compliance Officer is part of the Business Licensing process.
LimitsFloor area: Types 1 and 2 up to 30% of the home (max 50 m²); Type 3 up to 45% (max 100 m²). Non-resident employees (with on-site parking): 1, 2, 3 for Types 1, 2, 3. Clients by appointment per day: 6 (tutoring only), 10, 16. Signs follow the Sign Bylaw. No unenclosed storage.Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, section 402.14, s. 402.14(3)-(5), (9) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
30% of the Gross Floor Area of the Dwelling Unit in which the Home Occupation is located, up to maximum of 50.0 square metres in total for Type 1 Home Occupation
30% of the Gross Floor Area of the Dwelling Unit and Accessory Building in which the Home Occupation is located, to a maximum of 50.0 square metres in total for Type 2 Home Occupation
45% of the Gross Floor Area of the Dwelling Unit and Accessory Building in which the Home Occupation is located, to a maximum of 100.0 square metres in total for Type 3 Home Occupation
one (1) Non-Resident Employee per Dwelling Unit for Type 1 Home Occupation
two (2) Non-Resident Employees per Dwelling Unit for Type 2 Home Occupation
three (3) Non-Resident Employees per Dwelling Unit for Type 3 Home Occupation
ten (10) clients per day per Lot for Type 2 Home Occupation
sixteen (16) clients per day per Lot for Type 3 Home Occupation
Maple Ridge Sign Bylaw No.7630-2020
Businesses not allowedProhibited: assembly, body modification, odour, noise or vibration, outside changes to the building, retail where customers walk in without an appointment, motor vehicle salvage, repair or sales, orchestra and band training, unenclosed storage or display, and use of non-domestic machinery. Dog daycare excluded; some animal and health services off-site only.Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, section 402.14, s. 402.14(7), (9) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A Home Occupation shall be prohibited for the following Uses:
orchestra and band training;
Retail sale of goods or products where customers enter the premises to
salvage, repair, maintenance or sales of motor Vehicles, motor Vehicle
generation of parking shortages, traffic congestion, electrical interference,
Animal Services, excluding Dog daycare, except Type 1 and Type 2 Home
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 7600-2019, s. 402.14 (Home Occupation); Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 6815-2011; Sign Bylaw No. 7630-2020Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, section 402.14, s. 402.14; Business Licencing and Regulation (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 6815-2011, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
402.14 Home Occupation
Maple Ridge Sign Bylaw No.7630-2020
Business Licencing and Regulation Bylaw No. 6815-2011

How it works

A home occupation in the City of Maple Ridge is allowed as an accessory use on agricultural, residential and CD-zoned lots, entirely inside the dwelling or an accessory building (Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019, s. 402.14). The type depends on your home: Type 1 for a multi-family unit, Type 2 for a lot under 1,200 m², Type 3 for a lot of 1,200 m² or more, and Type 4 for a lot of 0.4 ha or more where the bylaw expressly permits.

Steps

  1. Read the brochure for your type, or call Planning at 604-467-7341 to confirm your zone allows your business.
  2. If you rent or live in a strata, check with your landlord or strata council; they can restrict a home business.
  3. Submit the business licence application to BusLic@MapleRidge.ca with the fee (minimum $110 a year).
  4. Pass the Bylaw Compliance Officer inspection before approval. Licences run to December 31.

Good to know

  • Floor area: Types 1 and 2 up to 30% of the home (maximum 50 m²); Type 3 up to 45% (maximum 100 m²).
  • Non-resident employees, with on-site parking: 1, 2 and 3 for Types 1, 2 and 3.
  • Clients by appointment per day: 6 (tutoring only) for Type 1, 10 for Type 2, 16 for Type 3.
  • Prohibited: assembly, body modification, odour, noise or vibration, outside changes to the building, walk-in retail without an appointment, motor vehicle salvage, repair or sales, orchestra and band training, unenclosed storage or display, and non-domestic machinery.
  • Family daycare is allowed as a home occupation except in RM-2 to RM-6 and commercial zones.
  • Signs follow the Sign Bylaw.
  • Type 4 limits are not set in section 402.14. Ask Planning.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Pitt Meadows · Port Coquitlam · Coquitlam · Anmore · Township of Langley · Port Moody

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw 7600-2019 (PDF), section 402.14 (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Business Licence Types (Home Occupation), City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Business Licensing, City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Type 1 Home Occupation Regulations, City of Maple Ridge (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Business Licencing and Regulation (Consolidated) Bylaw No. 6815-2011 (PDF) (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.