Metchosin home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home in Metchosin?

Metchosin, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 51(2)(d)(iii); Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(3), (4); Business Licences, Home Based Businesses · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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 Home businesses shall be a permitted use in all residential designations
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.Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(2); Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), Schedule B; Business Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Home Business is required to obtain a business licence issued pursuant to the Metchosin Business Licence Bylaw. D $35 $65 $65 Home Business Lots < 2,000 A business licence is required to operate a home based business in the District of Metchosin.
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.Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(14)(a), (15)(a), (16)(a); Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(14)(b), (16)(b); Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(5), (9), (10), (12) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 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 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
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.Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(8); Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 21(16)(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. Home Business may involve welding provided that the
Bylaw	Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259, s. 21 (Home Business); Business Licence Bylaw No. 352Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy), s. 1; Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259. This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the “Business Licence Bylaw No. 352.”

How it works

Under s. 21 of the Land Use Bylaw No. 259, 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, the annual fee is $35 with 1 employee and $65 with 2 or more. The licence term is November 1 to October 31.

Steps

Check that your zone allows home businesses and that the business is not on the prohibited list.
Apply for a business licence at Municipal Hall (250-474-3167).
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

The same question in other places

Colwood · Langford · View Royal · Sooke · Esquimalt · Victoria

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

Sources

Building Permits | District of Metchosin (read 2026-11-06)
Metchosin Land Use Bylaw No. 259 (consolidated March 2026, reference copy) (read 2026-11-06)
Business Licence Bylaw No. 352 (consolidated August 2018) (read 2026-11-06)
Business Licences, District of Metchosin (read 2026-11-06)
Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw No. 475 (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.