GovHandbook

North Vancouver home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

North Vancouver, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes. In the City of North Vancouver a home-based business needs a business licence ($127.02 a year, plus a $52.07 application fee for new accounts) and must follow the Zoning Bylaw's home occupation limits for your zone. A home office with no staff on site or sales also files a compliance form.

Key facts

AllowedYes. An accessory home occupation is allowed in the one-unit and two-unit residential zones (RS-1, RS-2, RT-1, RT-2), in the RG, RM-1 and RH-1 zones, and in the Ground Oriented zone. A home office (standard office equipment only) is also allowed.Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 507(6), s. 573, ss. 501(1)(d),(f), 502(1)(d),(f); Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 507(6), s. 573, s. 573(3),(4) (Ground Oriented zone) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Accessory Home Occupation Use, subject to Sections 507(6), (7)
Accessory Home Office Use;
(d) Accessory Home Occupation Use, subject to Section 507(6), (7) and
Permitted uses include
residential, supportive community uses and home-based businesses.
A Home Occupation Use is permitted as Accessory to a Dwelling Unit
Business licenceYes. Home-based businesses need a City business licence: annual fee $127.02, plus a $52.07 non-refundable application fee for new accounts. A qualifying home office (no staff on site, no sales, standard office equipment only) also files an Accessory Home Office Use Confirmation of Compliance form.Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF, consolidated December 8, 2025), Schedule F, Schedule F, Table IX and Table X; Business Licences, Apply for a Business Licence; Apply, Renew & Pay Business Licence, Business Type · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Home based businesses $ 127.02
Non-refundable application fee (for new licences for
home-based
new business accounts that are completing an application are subject to a $52.07 Application Fee
no staff on site, no retail or sales, and only using standard office equipment
Home Office applicants must complete both the Business Licence Application form and the Accessory Home Office Use Confirmation of Compliance form.
LimitsRS/RT zones: inside the dwelling or an accessory building; at most 20% of floor area and 46.45 m²; two people working, one a resident; no sale of goods on site; nameplate under 0.1 m² only; no noise, odour or vibration outside. Ground Oriented zone: fully enclosed, one per dwelling unit, two people working, no outdoor display or storage, no selling goods on the lot.Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 507(6), s. 573 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
shall be completely Enclosed within the residential Dwelling Unit or
together shall not occupy more than 20% of the Gross Floor Area of
shall not exceed 46.45 square metres (500 square feet)
shall be limited to a maximum of two persons working in the
shall not involve the sale of goods on the Premises;
except for one name-plate of less than 0.1 square metre (1 square
ii. is limited to one Home Occupation Use per Dwelling Unit;
ii. include outdoor services, display or storage;
iii. sell, lease or rent physical goods directly on the Lot;
Businesses not allowedSale, repair, manufacture or handling of weapons or explosives; automobile servicing and repair; escort services. In apartment buildings also medical or dental offices, hairdressers, private schools, commercial food preparation and music or dance studios. Ground Oriented zone: nothing that sells goods directly on the lot or uses outdoor storage.Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 507(6), s. 573, s. 507(6)(a),(j); definition; Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 507(6), s. 573, s. 573(4)(b) (Ground Oriented zone) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
shall not involve the sale at retail or wholesale or commercial repair,
excludes
automobile servicing and repair, Escort Service Use
exclude medical or dental offices,
hairdressers, private schools, commercial food preparation, music or
include outdoor services, display or storage;
sell, lease or rent physical goods directly on the Lot;
BylawZoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (s. 507(6); Ground Oriented zone s. 573(4)); Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 507(6), s. 573; Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640, title page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Accessory Home Occupation Use
CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE – MARCH 2, 2026
Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640

How it works

A home occupation is allowed in the City of North Vancouver's Zoning Bylaw in RS-1, RS-2, RT-1, RT-2, RG, RM-1 and RH-1 zones and in the Ground Oriented zone. A home office (standard office equipment only, no staff on site, no sales) is also allowed. Check your zone in CityMap first.

Steps

  1. Decide whether you are a home office or a home occupation.
  2. Complete the Business Licence Application. A qualifying home office also completes the Accessory Home Office Use Confirmation of Compliance form.
  3. Email it to gateway@cnv.org and pay the invoice on CityServe once approved.

Good to know

  • RS and RT zones: inside the dwelling or an accessory building; at most 20% of the floor area and 46.45 m²; two people working, one a resident; no sale of goods on site; a nameplate under 0.1 m² only; no noise, odour or vibration outside.
  • Ground Oriented zone: fully enclosed; one home occupation per dwelling unit; two people working, one a resident; no outdoor display or storage; no selling goods directly on the lot. Parking is not required except for child care (1 space).
  • Not allowed: sale, repair or manufacture of weapons or explosives, automobile servicing and repair, and escort services. In apartment buildings also medical or dental offices, hairdressers, private schools, commercial food preparation and music or dance studios.
  • Strata bylaws or your lease may be stricter.

What you'll need

  • Business Licence Application
  • Accessory Home Office Use Confirmation of Compliance form (home office)

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

District of North Vancouver · Belcarra · Port Moody · West Vancouver · Burnaby · Richmond

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

Sources

  1. Apply, Renew & Pay Business Licence, City of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Business Licences, City of North Vancouver (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2024, No. 9000 (PDF, consolidated December 8, 2025), Schedule F (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Zoning Bylaw, 1995, No. 6700 (PDF, consolidated March 2, 2026), s. 507(6), s. 573 (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Business Licence Bylaw, 2018, No. 8640 (PDF) (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.