{"title":"New Westminster home-based business rules","question":"Can I run a business from my home?","slug":"home-based-business","place":{"path":"ca/bc/new-westminster","name":"New Westminster","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"business","name":"Starting and running a business"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of New Westminster","url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. In New Westminster you can run a home-based business as an accessory use to your home, if you live there and hold a City business licence. Zoning Bylaw section 190.28 sets limits, such as 500 square feet of space and one non-resident worker. Confirm your zone with Planning.","aliases":["home business licence new westminster","work from home business licence","home occupation","bed and breakfast licence"],"cost":"A $59 non-refundable application fee, plus an annual fee by business type. An employee-based business with 1 to 3 persons is $214 (2026).","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Business Licensing","value":"businesslicences@newwestcity.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Business Licensing","value":"604-527-4565"},{"type":"in_person","label":"City Hall","value":"511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, BC","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licences and Permits page","url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/business_licences.php"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"New Westminster business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/business-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/burnaby","name":"Burnaby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/burnaby/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coquitlam","name":"Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-coquitlam","name":"Port Coquitlam","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-moody","name":"Port Moody","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/belcarra","name":"Belcarra","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/surrey","name":"Surrey","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/home-based-business/"}],"topic":{"title":"Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business/"},"facts":{"allowed":{"label":"Allowed","value":"Yes, as an accessory use to a residential use, run by a resident. It is a listed permitted use in RS-1 and in many other residential districts (for example 410.6) and some commercial districts (for example 509.12); s. 190.28 rules apply everywhere. Confirm your zone with Planning.","short":"Yes, in most residential districts","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 190.28(a)","quotes":["the home based business shall clearly be an accessory use to the residential use;"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/300_One_and_Two_Unit_Residential___As_of_June_8_2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 310.2","quotes":["Uses accessory to any permitted principal uses;","Home based business;"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Complete_Zoning_Bylaw_No._6680_2001___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf","title":"Complete Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 120.99, 410.6, 509.12","quotes":["HOME BASED BUSINESS means an accessory use to an authorised residential use in which one or more residents carry on a business","410.6 Home based businesses","509.12 Home based businesses"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. Every business, including home-based ones, needs a valid licence before starting. A $59 non-refundable application fee applies. Annual fee by type; an employee-based business with 1 to 3 persons is $214 (2026).","short":"Yes: $59 application fee; $214 a year (1 to 3 persons)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/business_licences.php","title":"Business Licences and Permits, City of New Westminster","section":"Business Licences and Permits","quotes":["This includes home-based businesses, commercial and industrial operations, and owners of apartment rental properties."]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/CNW_2026_BL_Fees_web.pdf","title":"Business Licence Fees 2026 (PDF), Schedule B","section":"Schedule B, Business Licence Fees 2026","quotes":["1–3 Persons Engaged in the Business $214.00","Business Licence Application (excluding Liquor Primary and Cannabis Retail)","$59.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"No more than 500 ft² (46.45 m²) used. One non-resident worker at most. No outdoor storage or display. Customers may not regularly come in to buy goods (some zones excepted). One off-street and one on-street parking space. Not open to the public 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. One unlit sign up to 0.2 m².","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 190.28(e), (f), (h), (k)","quotes":["shall not exceed 500 square feet (46.45 square metres) in total;","no home based business shall have unenclosed or exterior storage or display of","not more than one off-Street and one on-street parking space may be occupied","no home based business shall involve the sale of goods or products where customers"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (PDF, consolidated November 3, 2025)","section":"s. 3.17, 3.21","quotes":["No more than one non-resident individual may be engaged in one or more","be open to the public for business between the hours of 10:00 p.m.","one non-illuminated identification sign not to exceed 2.2 square feet"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_allowed":{"label":"Businesses not allowed","value":"Adult entertainment uses, adult theatres, adult video stores, escort services and automotive repair at the home. Also no on-site storage of construction materials, hazardous chemicals or explosives.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 190.28(n)","quotes":["adult entertainment uses, adult motion picture studios, adult theatres, adult","video stores or escort services, or","automotive repair at the location of the home;"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (PDF, consolidated November 3, 2025)","section":"s. 3.21(2)","quotes":["include any on-site storage of construction materials, hazardous"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (s. 190.28); Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (ss. 3.14 to 3.21)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","section":"s. 190.28","quotes":["Requirements for Home Based Businesses"]},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (PDF, consolidated November 3, 2025)","section":"Part 3","quotes":["Home Based Businesses","Every person carrying on the business of operating a home based"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nNew Westminster allows a home-based business as an accessory use to a residential use, run by a resident. It is a listed permitted use in RS-1 and many other residential and some commercial districts, and the rules in section 190.28 of the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf) apply everywhere. Every business, including a home-based one, needs a valid City licence before it starts.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zoning with the Planning Division.\n2. Fill in the application form for your business type from the Business Licences and Permits page.\n3. Email it to businesslicences@newwestcity.ca or bring it to City Hall, and pay the fees.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Limits: no more than 500 square feet (46.45 square metres) used; one non-resident worker at most; no outdoor storage or display; one off-street and one on-street parking space; not open to the public from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; one unlit sign up to 0.2 square metres.\n- Customers may not regularly come in to buy goods (some zones are excepted).\n- Not allowed: adult entertainment uses, adult theatres, adult video stores, escort services, automotive repair, and on-site storage of construction materials, hazardous chemicals or explosives.\n- No noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odours or similar disturbance.\n- A bed and breakfast licence costs $214 a year.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/business_licences.php","title":"Business Licences and Permits, City of New Westminster","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/CNW_2026_BL_Fees_web.pdf","title":"Business Licence Fees 2026 (PDF), Schedule B","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/100_Introduction___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 100 Introduction (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/300_One_and_Two_Unit_Residential___As_of_June_8_2026.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Part 300 One and Two Unit Residential (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Complete_Zoning_Bylaw_No._6680_2001___As_of_June_8_2026(1).pdf","title":"Complete Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001 (PDF, as of June 8, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Consolidated_Bylaw_8473__2024_Business_Licence__2025_11_03_consolidation_.pdf","title":"Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 (PDF, consolidated November 3, 2025)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/home-based-business/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/home-based-business.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/home-based-business.json"}}