Oliver home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home in Oliver?

Oliver, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

How it works

Under Zoning Bylaw 1423 s. 6.9, a home occupation is allowed in the Town of Oliver where the zone lists it as a permitted use. The Official Community Plan supports home occupations in Low Density Residential areas if they do not have an unacceptable negative impact on surrounding homes. Which zones permit them is set in the bylaw, which could not be read.

Steps

1. Check your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Complete the Home Occupation Waiver and the Business Licence Application, and submit both.
3. Pay the $75 fee. See the business-licence answer for how to apply.

Limits

• Up to 40% of the dwelling or accessory building floor area, to a maximum of 90 m².
• No external storage of materials, containers or finished products.
• At most one non-resident employee.
• No more than 3 clients at a time (child care: 8 children).
• Retail only of goods made on site, remote sales or related products.
• No parking demand, traffic congestion or nuisance.
• Only one home occupation per parcel.

Not allowed

Salvage, storage, repair, maintenance or sales of motor vehicles, trailers, boats or related parts; tow-truck operations, manufacturing and industrial uses, social escort services, cabinet making, welding or machine shops, meat cutting, commercial animal breeding, storing industrial, commercial or construction equipment or materials; and cannabis production.

Good to know

• The waiver form does not set limits on signs.