---
title: Metchosin home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home in Metchosin?"
place: Metchosin, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/metchosin
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Metchosin
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/home-based-business.json"
---

# Metchosin home-based business rules

**Question:** Can I run a business from my home in Metchosin?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Metchosin, https://www.metchosin.ca)  
**Cost:** Business licence $35 a year with 1 employee, $65 with 2 or more. Sign permit $25.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Municipal Hall, 250-474-3167
- Online: Business Licences, District of Metchosin, https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/business-licences
- In person: Municipal Hall, 4450 Happy Valley Road, Victoria, BC V9C 3Z3 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 51(2)(d)(iii)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(3), (4)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Business Licences, Home Based Businesses](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "Home businesses shall be a permitted use in all residential designations"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** 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.
  - Source: [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(2)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
  - Official wording: "Home Business is required to obtain a business licence issued pursuant to the Metchosin Business Licence Bylaw."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), Schedule B](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/3134/)
  - Official wording: "D $35 $65 $65" … "Home Business Lots < 2,000"
  - Source: [Business Licences](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/business-licences)
  - Official wording: "A business licence is required to operate a home based business in the District of Metchosin."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(14)(a), (15)(a), (16)(a)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(14)(b), (16)(b)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(5), (9), (10), (12)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses 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 detectable at the lot line, and no electrical interference, fire hazard or traffic congestion.
  - Source: [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(8)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
  - Official wording: "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."
  - Source: [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(16)(e)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
  - Official wording: "Home Business may involve welding provided that the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 21 (Home Business); Business Licence Bylaw No. 352
  - Source: [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 1](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259."
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), s. 1](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/3134/)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “Business Licence Bylaw No. 352.”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under 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.

A 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.

## Steps

1. Check that your zone allows home businesses and that the business is not on the prohibited list.
2. Apply for a business licence at Municipal Hall (250-474-3167).
3. If you want a sign, get a sign permit ($25).

## Good to know

- 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 members plus 1 other (4 on lots over 2 ha).
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Home businesses are not allowed in a Communal Seniors Housing building. Food businesses need Medical Health Officer approval.

## Official forms and pages

- [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 21 (Home Business)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 352](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/3134/)

## Related questions

- [Metchosin business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/business-licence.md)
- [Metchosin short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/short-term-rental.md)
- [Metchosin zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Metchosin noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/noise-rules.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/home-based-business.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/home-based-business.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/home-based-business.md)
- [Sooke](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sooke/home-based-business.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/home-based-business.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Building Permits | District of Metchosin](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/building-development/building-permits) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/4091/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018)](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/3134/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licences, District of Metchosin](https://www.metchosin.ca/municipal-hall/business-licences) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 475](https://metchosin.civicweb.net/document/912/) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Metchosin. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/home-based-business/_