Nelson home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home?
Short answer
Yes. Nelson's Zoning Bylaw allows a home occupation in any zone as an accessory use to a home, within limits on space, staff and storage. You also need a City business licence, which costs $80 a year for a home occupation.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes. A home occupation is permitted in all zones as an accessory use with any residential use, subject to the conditions in Part 3, section 43 of the Zoning Bylaw.Zoning Bylaw 3652, 2026, Part 3, s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingHome Occupation is permitted in all zones as an accessory use in association with any residential use and subject to the use-specific conditions contained in Part 4 “Conditional Uses” of this bylaw. |
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| Business licence | Yes. Home-based businesses need an annual business licence: $80 for a home occupation, $135 for a home-based child care centre. Applications received on or after July 1 pay half. Home-based child care centres are inspected.Business Licence, City page; Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M (revised April 28, 2026), Schedule N; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026, ss. 7.11, 9.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis applies to all retail and commercial establishments, management and professional firms, home-based businesses Home occupations $80 Home occupations – Child care centre $135 For licence applications received on or after July 1st, other than applications for the applicable licence fees prescribed by the Fees and Charges Bylaw will be reduced by fifty (50) percent. any home-based child care centres; and |
| Limits | Work must be inside the principal or an accessory building (horticulture excepted), with no exterior storage of materials. Sell only goods produced on the lot (phone, online or mail orders are fine if customers do not visit). Maximum 25% of the principal building's floor area and 50 m² (50 m² limit not for unenclosed horticulture). Residents plus up to three non-resident employees.Zoning Bylaw 3652, 2026, Part 3, s. 43(a)-(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe activities shall be conducted entirely within the principal building or The commercial use shall not involve the exterior storage of any materials The commercial use shall not involve the sale of any commodity or good no more than 25% of the gross floor area of the principal building, and in no case shall a home occupation use exceed 50 sq. m. gross floor area. The home occupation shall be solely operated by residents of the dwelling unit and not more than three non-resident employees who work an accessory building, except where such activity involves horticultural than 25% of the gross floor area of the principal building, and in no case shall gross floor area does not apply to unenclosed horticultural practices. |
| Businesses not allowed | The definition of Home Occupation excludes short-term rental, tourist accommodation, any commercial use involving vehicles (such as mechanical repair, sales, service and car washes), and any industrial use.Zoning Bylaw 3652, 2026, Part 1, definition of Home Occupation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording“Home Occupation” means a commercial residential use. Home Occupation excludes Short-Term Rental; Tourist Accommodation; any commercial use involving vehicles Repair, Sales, and Service and Car Wash; and any industrial use. |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026 (Part 3, ss. 2 and 43); Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, Schedule NZoning Bylaw 3652, 2026, adoption page; Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026, heading · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThis Bylaw may be cited as “Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026” Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026 |
How it works
A home occupation is a commercial use carried out by an occupant of a dwelling for remuneration that is clearly accessory to living there. Zoning Bylaw 3652 permits it in all zones with any residential use, if you meet the conditions in Part 3, section 43. You also need an annual business licence under the Business Licence Bylaw 3661. A home-based child care centre is inspected.
The definition excludes short-term rentals (licensed separately), tourist accommodation, any commercial use involving vehicles (such as mechanical repair, sales, service and car washes), and any industrial use.
Steps
- Check your plans against the conditions below, or call Development Services at 250-352-8260.
- Complete the Business License Application and pay the fee with it ($80 for a home occupation).
- Renew each year; payment is due by February 28.
Good to know
- Work must happen inside the principal or an accessory building (horticulture excepted), with no exterior storage of materials.
- The business may use at most 25% of the principal building's floor area and 50 m². The 50 m² limit does not apply to unenclosed horticulture.
- Only residents plus up to three non-resident employees.
- You may sell only goods produced on the lot, except phone, online or mail orders where customers do not visit.
- The bylaw sets no parking or customer-visit limit that we found; ask Development Services.
- A home occupation that breaks these rules can get a bylaw notice of $300 ($250 if paid within 14 days; $500 after 28 days).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Castlegar · Slocan · Salmo · Fruitvale · Montrose · Trail
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 3652, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 3661, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, Schedule N (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw (PDF), City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licence, City of Nelson (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw 3652, 2026 (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule M (revised April 28, 2026) (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.