Nanaimo home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home?
Short answer
Yes. The City of Nanaimo allows home-based businesses in any dwelling unit or secondary suite, with a City business licence. Size, customer trips and non-resident staff are capped by the type of home you live in, and some uses (such as restaurants and auto body repair) are banned.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes. A home-based business is permitted in any dwelling unit or secondary suite regardless of zoning, if it meets all of s. 6.20. It may also be in an accessory building (permanent structure) when the principal use is a single residential dwelling, and in a recreational vehicle in the R11 zone.Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.20.1, 6.20.9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA home-based business shall be permitted: in any dwelling unit or secondary suite, regardless of zoning, provided it meets all other applicable requirements of this section; and the principal use on the subject property is a single residential dwelling; the accessory building is a permanent structure. |
|---|---|
| Business licence | Yes. At least one resident of the home must hold a business licence for the home-based business. The Fees and Charges Bylaw has no separate home-based line; its general fee for 'All other businesses' is $165 a year (non-profits $50).Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.20.2; Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01), Business Licence Fees, Table IV; Business Licences, Types of business licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAt least one resident of the dwelling unit, secondary suite, or recreational vehicle must hold a business licence for the home-based business. All other businesses $165.00 Non-profit organizations with non-profit status $50.00 Home-Based - A business that operates within a dwelling unit or within an accessory building located on the same property as where the operator resides |
| Limits | Type 1 (multi-family unit, suite, mobile or modular home, RV, float home, or house on a lot under 370 m²): 42 m² or 50% of the unit, no client trips, no non-resident employees. Type 2 (lot 370 to under 2,020 m²): 100 m² or 50%, 8 return trips a day, 1 employee. Type 3 (2,020 m²+): 200 m² or 50%, 12 trips, 2 employees. Trips only 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parking: none for Type 1; 1 space for Type 2 or 3.Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.20.3, 6.20.6; https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7453.pdf, Table 2, Home Based Business · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording42m2 or 50% of the 100m2 or 50% of the 200m2 or 50% of the customer or 0 8 return trips 12 return trips resident 0 1 2 employees permitted to work on-site ≥ 370m2 and Vehicle, Float Home, ≥ 2,020m2 < 2,020m2 or Single Residential Dwelling on a lot < 370m2 such trips shall be limited to between the hours of 7am and 9pm, seven days a week. No requirement for Type 1 businesses 1 space per Type 2 or Type 3 business |
| Businesses not allowed | For all types: auto body repair; commercial sawmill; boarding kennel, animal training and commercial dog breeding; restaurant; retail sales of items not made by the business; storage, wrecking, dismantling, painting or plating of vehicles, boats, aircraft or machinery. Types 1 and 2 also: automotive repair and detailing, and carpentry or cabinet-making. Type 1 also: personal service use and pet daycare.Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.20.3, 6.20.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe following uses are specifically prohibited as a home-based business for all home- auto body repair; commercial sawmill; boarding kennel, animal training, and commercial dog breeding; restaurant; retail sales of items other than items manufactured by the home-based Automotive repair of a major or minor nature; automotive detailing; personal service use; pet daycare; |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 4500, s. 6.20 (Home Based Business); Business Licence Bylaw 2021 No. 7318Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23), s. 6.20; Business Licence Bylaw 7318 (consolidated), s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZoning Bylaw No. 4500 6.20 HOME BASED BUSINESS Business Licence Bylaw 2021 No. 7318 |
How it works
In the City of Nanaimo a home-based business is permitted in any dwelling unit or secondary suite regardless of zoning, if it meets all of section 6.20 of Zoning Bylaw 4500. At least one resident of the home must hold the business licence. It may also be in a permanent accessory building when the principal use is a single residential dwelling, or in a recreational vehicle in the R11 zone. Tenants who expect customers at the home must include a signed owner declaration.
| Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | Multi-family unit, suite, mobile or modular home, RV, float home, or house on a lot under 370 m² | Lot 370 m² to under 2,020 m² | Lot 2,020 m² or more |
| Business floor area | 42 m² or 50% of the unit, whichever is less | 100 m² or 50% | 200 m² or 50% |
| Customer return trips a day | none | 8 | 12 |
| Non-resident employees | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Parking | none | 1 space | 1 space |
Steps
- Check your zone and lot size with Planning.
- Get a City business licence (see the business licence answer).
Good to know
- Customer trips are allowed only from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Banned for all types: auto body repair, commercial sawmill, boarding kennel, animal training and commercial dog breeding, restaurant, retail sales of items not made by the business, and storage, wrecking, dismantling, painting or plating of vehicles, boats, aircraft or machinery. Types 1 and 2 also ban automotive repair and detailing, and carpentry or cabinet-making; Type 1 also bans personal service use and pet daycare.
- All storage must be inside the dwelling or accessory building. No odour, noise, smoke, dust or vibration may cross lot lines. Vehicle repair must be wholly inside a permanent building.
- Several home businesses at one home share the combined limits.
- Exceeding the limits is a $200 bylaw notice ticket ($150 if paid early).
What you'll need
- If you rent and customers will visit, a signed owner declaration
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Lantzville · Ladysmith · Parksville · Sechelt · Qualicum Beach · Lake Cowichan
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw 4500, section 6.20 Home Based Business (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 4500 (PDF, consolidated 2026-MAR-23) (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licences, City of Nanaimo (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 2021 No. 7336 (PDF, consolidated 2026-JUN-01) (read 2026-11-05)
- https://www.nanaimo.ca/bylaws/ViewBylaw/7453.pdf (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licence Bylaw 7318 (consolidated) (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.