GovHandbook

Mission home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

Mission, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes. In the City of Mission a home occupation is allowed in all A, RU, RR, S, R and UC zones and many others if you live on the lot and the business is entirely inside a building. You need a home occupation business licence, $158 a year in 2026.

Key facts

AllowedYes, as a Home Occupation, in all A, RU, RR, S, R and UC zones and many other zones listed in s. 106. The operator must live on the lot and the business must be entirely inside a building.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 102, 106, 107, s. 106 (use table); s. 107 A.1(a), (b); s. 102 (definition) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Home Occupation All A zones, CD7, CD9, CD14, CD17, CD20, CD27, CD20,
all RU zones, all RR zones, all S zones, all R zones, all UC zones
Home Occupations shall be entirely enclosed within a Building.
Operator(s) of the Home Occupation must reside on the Lot where the Home Occupation is
Business licenceYes. A home occupation business licence is required, at $158 a year (2026). The application must show you have read Zoning Bylaw section 107.Business Licences, Business Licences page; Business Licence Bylaw 3964-2007, Schedule A, Schedule A, class 18.00 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Accessory home occupations are required to read through the Home Occupation Use (Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020 Section 107) and indicate that this has been read on the business licence application form.
The current Business Licence fee for 2026 is $158.00.
ALL FEES FOR THE CLASSIFICATIONS LISTED BELOW ARE $158.00 ANNUALLY
From every person carrying on the business of a home occupation regulated by
LimitsUp to 10 patrons or students at one time; retail sales under 10 m²; 1 parking space per non-resident employee. Floor space for all home occupations per dwelling: 56 m² inside the Urban Growth Boundary except Suburban Residential; 140 m² on rural and suburban lots of 1.8 ha or less, 186 m² above that. Employees: 3 (2 non-resident) inside the boundary except Suburban Residential; 4 or 5 on rural and suburban lots.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 102, 106, 107, s. 107 A.1(d), (e), (g); s. 107 C.3; s. 109 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The maximum number of patrons or students for all Home Occupations on a Lot shall be limited to
10 patrons or students assembled at one time.
retail sales of goods shall be limited to a Floor Space
of less than 10.0 sq m (108.0 sq ft).
a Home Occupation shall have a maximum of three (3) employees including not more than
Home Occupation 1.0 space per every non-resident employee, plus 1.0
All OCP designations within the Urban Growth Boundary,
On a Lot located within the Urban Growth Boundary, other than a Lot designated Suburban Residential, a Home Occupation shall have a maximum of three (3) employees
Businesses not allowedProhibited: adult entertainment, accommodation, motor vehicle uses, cultural, entertainment, recreation and waterfront uses, drive-throughs, driving schools, drycleaners, cheque cashing, cannabis production, supportive recovery. Most food, industrial, institutional and retail uses are also barred, with exceptions such as minor restaurant, light manufacturing, child care and minor retail. Nothing noisy, smelly or traffic-heavy.Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 102, 106, 107, s. 107 B.1, B.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The following Uses, or Use groups, are prohibited as a Home Occupation:
all Food and Beverage Uses, except that Restaurant (Minor) is permitted;
all Industrial Uses, except that Industrial (Light Manufacturing) is permitted;
all Retail Uses, except that Retail (Minor), Produce Sales, and Second Hand Store are permitted;
result in traffic congestion, electrical interference, fire hazard or health hazards;
BylawZoning Bylaw 5949-2020, Section 107 (Home Occupations); Business Licence Bylaw 3964-2007Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 102, 106, 107, s. 107; Business Licence Bylaw 3964-2007, Schedule A, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
SECTION 107 HOME OCCUPATIONS
BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW 3964-2007

How it works

The City of Mission's Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020 lets residents carry on an occupation, business or profession within their dwelling unit (a "home occupation") if they live on the lot and the business is entirely inside a building. The business licence application must show you have read section 107.

Steps

  1. Read section 107 of the Zoning Bylaw. Ask Planning (604-820-3748) if you are unsure.
  2. Complete the Home Occupation application and questionnaire.
  3. Email it to businesslicence@mission.ca or bring it to 7337 Welton Street, and pay the fee.

Good to know

  • Limits: up to 10 patrons or students at one time; retail sales under 10 m²; 1 parking space per non-resident employee.
  • Floor space for all home occupations per dwelling: 56 m² inside the Urban Growth Boundary (except Suburban Residential); 140 m² on rural and suburban lots of 1.8 ha or less; 186 m² above that.
  • Employees: 3 (2 non-resident) inside the Urban Growth Boundary except Suburban Residential; 4 or 5 on rural and suburban lots.
  • Prohibited: adult entertainment, accommodation uses, motor vehicle uses, cultural, entertainment, recreation and waterfront uses, drive-throughs, driving schools, drycleaners, cheque cashing, cannabis production and supportive recovery. Most food, industrial, institutional and retail uses are also barred, with exceptions such as minor restaurant, light manufacturing, child care and minor retail. Nothing noisy, smelly or traffic-heavy.
  • Short-term rentals are allowed separately under s. 107 D; see the short-term rental answer.

What you'll need

  • Completed Home Occupation application and questionnaire

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Abbotsford · Township of Langley · Maple Ridge · Langley City · Pitt Meadows · Chilliwack

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

Sources

  1. Business Licences, City of Mission (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Zoning Bylaw 5949-2020 (PDF, consolidated), s. 102, 106, 107 (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Business Licence Bylaw 3964-2007 (PDF), Schedule A (read 2026-11-05)
  4. How to Start a Business in Mission, City of Mission (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.