{"title":"Metchosin home-based business rules","question":"Can I run a business from my home in Metchosin?","slug":"home-based-business","place":{"path":"ca/bc/metchosin","name":"Metchosin","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"business","name":"Starting and running a business"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Metchosin","url":"https://www.metchosin.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in Metchosin you can run up to 2 home businesses per lot in the main rural and residential zones, if the owner and operator is a family member living in the dwelling. A business licence is required, $35 a year with 1 employee or $65 with 2 or more.","aliases":["home business metchosin","home occupation metchosin","work from home licence metchosin","metchosin home business rules"],"cost":"Business licence $35 a year with 1 employee, $65 with 2 or more. Sign permit $25.","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"250-474-3167"},{"type":"online","label":"Business Licences, District of Metchosin","value":"https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/business-licences"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Municipal Hall","value":"4450 Happy Valley Road, Victoria, BC V9C 3Z3","note":"Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 21 (Home Business)","url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/"},{"title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 352","url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/3134/"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Metchosin business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/business-licence/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Metchosin short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/short-term-rental/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Metchosin zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"noise-rules","title":"Metchosin noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/noise-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sooke","name":"Sooke","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sooke/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/home-based-business/"}],"topic":{"title":"Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business/"},"facts":{"allowed":{"label":"Allowed","value":"Yes, as an accessory use with a principal dwelling, subject to Section 21 of the Land Use Bylaw, in the Agricultural, Upland, Rural, Amenity Residential, Rural Residential and Commercial Recreation 2 to 4 zones. Up to 2 home businesses per lot; the owner and operator must be a family member living in the dwelling.","short":"Yes, in listed zones; up to 2 per lot","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 51(2)(d)(iii)","quotes":["Home Business, subject to Section 21, including bed and breakfast, subject to 21(17)","Not more than 2 Home Businesses shall be permitted on a lot"]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 21(3), (4)","quotes":["Not more than 2 Home Businesses shall be permitted on a lot","The owner and the operator of the Home Business must be a family"]},{"url":"https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, District of Metchosin","section":"Home Based Businesses","quotes":["Home businesses shall be a permitted use in all residential designations"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes, a business licence is required (roadside stands excepted). Annual fee $35 with 1 employee, $65 with 2 or more (Schedule B, Table 1 D to F). Licence term November 1 to October 31.","short":"Yes: $35 with 1 employee, $65 with 2 or more","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 21(2)","quotes":["Home Business is required to obtain a business licence issued pursuant to the Metchosin Business Licence Bylaw."]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/3134/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018)","section":"Schedule B","quotes":["D $35 $65 $65","Home Business Lots < 2,000"]},{"url":"https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, District of Metchosin","section":"Business Licences","quotes":["A business licence is required to operate a home based business in the District of Metchosin."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Floor area, whichever is less: lots under 2,000 m²: 50 m² or 40% of the dwelling; 2,000 m² to 2 ha: 95 m² or 40%; over 2 ha: 140 m² or 45%. Employees: 2 resident family plus 1 other (4 on lots over 2 ha). Work and storage indoors; parking on the lot; one 0.5 m² sign (permit); goods sold must be made on the lot.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 21(14)(a), (15)(a), (16)(a)","quotes":["the maximum floor area of a Home Business shall not exceed the lesser of 50 m 2 (538 ft2)","the maximum floor area of a Home Business shall not exceed the lesser","of 95 m2 (1,023 ft2) or 40% of the gross floor area","the lesser of 140 m 2 (1,507","occur wholly within a building which may be either the dwelling unit or an accessory building or","Off-Street Parking – Off-street parking for employees, clients, delivery vehicles, and any personal","Only 1 sign, which has a maximum sign area of 0.5 m2 (5.4 ft2) for each face"]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 21(14)(b), (16)(b)","quotes":["limited to 2 family members who are residents of the dwelling unit located on the","shall be limited to 4 employees who may either be resident family members"]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 21(5), (9), (10), (12)","quotes":["shall retain a residential appearance.","the display to clients","Only 1 sign, which has a maximum sign area of 0.5 m2 (5.4 ft2) for each face"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_allowed":{"label":"Businesses not allowed","value":"A salvage yard, storage yard, warehouse or incinerator business, or any business using welding (except on lots over 2 ha), high-pressure steam or compressed-air cleaning or other industrial use. No noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odour, litter or glare detectable at the lot line, and no electrical interference, fire hazard or traffic congestion.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 21(8)","quotes":["consist of a salvage yard, storage yard, warehouse, or incinerator business or a business","produce noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odour, litter, or glare which is detectable from any","create any electrical interference, fire hazard, or traffic congestion."]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 21(16)(e)","quotes":["Home Business may involve welding provided that the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 21 (Home Business); Business Licence Bylaw No. 352","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259."]},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/3134/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “Business Licence Bylaw No. 352.”"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nUnder s. 21 of the [Land Use Bylaw No. 259](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/), a home business is allowed as an accessory use with a principal dwelling in the Agricultural, Upland, Rural, Amenity Residential, Rural Residential and Commercial Recreation 2 to 4 zones. You may have up to 2 home businesses per lot, and the owner and operator must be a family member living in the dwelling.\n\nA business licence is required, except for roadside stands. Under the [Business Licence Bylaw No. 352](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/3134/), the annual fee is $35 with 1 employee and $65 with 2 or more. The licence term is November 1 to October 31.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check that your zone allows home businesses and that the business is not on the prohibited list.\n2. Apply for a business licence at Municipal Hall (250-474-3167).\n3. If you want a sign, get a sign permit ($25).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Floor area (whichever is less): lots under 2,000 m², 50 m² or 40% of the dwelling; 2,000 m² to 2 ha, 95 m² or 40%; over 2 ha, 140 m² or 45%.\n- Employees: 2 resident family members plus 1 other (4 on lots over 2 ha).\n- Work and storage must be indoors (horticulture and beekeeping may be outdoors up to 49% of the lot). Parking must be on the lot. Only one 0.5 m² sign is allowed. Goods sold must be made on the lot, with some exceptions.\n- No more than 2 business vehicles may be stored outside, and only 1 over 5,443 kg (4 and 2 on lots over 2 ha).\n- Not allowed: a salvage yard, storage yard, warehouse or incinerator business, or any business using welding (except on lots over 2 ha), high-pressure steam or compressed-air cleaning or other industrial use. No noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odour, litter or glare may be detectable at the lot line.\n- Noisy machinery is limited to Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding holidays. Home business offences carry a $500 minimum fine.\n- Home businesses are not allowed in a Communal Seniors Housing building. Food businesses need Medical Health Officer approval.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/building-development/building-permits","title":"Building Permits | District of Metchosin","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/","title":"Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/3134/","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, District of Metchosin","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/912/","title":"Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 475","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/home-based-business/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/home-based-business.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/home-based-business.json"}}