Osoyoos home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home in Osoyoos?
Short answer
In Osoyoos you can run a home occupation in the RS1, RSM, RM1, Town Centre, C1, C2 and Agriculture zones with a Town business licence ($75 a year). It must take up at most 40% of the dwelling, up to 50 m², and be run by residents only.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes, as a "home occupation" accessory to a residence, in the RS1, RSM, RM1, Town Centre (TC), C1, C2 and Agriculture (AG) zones, subject to the Zoning Bylaw's home occupation rules.Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, s. 7.5; zone lists · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording“home occupation” means an occupation or profession that is accessory to the principal g) home occupation, subject to Section 7.5; j) home occupation, subject to Section 7.5. i) home occupation, subject to Section 7.5; |
|---|---|
| Business licence | Yes. A Town business licence is required; the home occupation fee is $75 a year (other businesses $150).Business Licence Bylaw No. 1400, 2025, s. 3.1, 8.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingNo person shall carry on any business within the Town without a valid and subsisting b) home occupation: $75.00 |
| Limits | At most 40% of the dwelling's floor area, up to 50 m². Run by residents only; inside the dwelling, no outdoor storage; one extra parking space; no vehicle over 4,600 kg parked outside; retail limited. Sign: one sign, up to 0.5 m², in residential zones and some others (Sign Bylaw 1282).Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, s. 7.5; Sign Bylaw No. 1282, 2012, Schedule A, sign type 38 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA home occupation shall not occupy more than 40% of the floor area of a principal dwelling unit to a maximum of 50.0 m2. Only persons residing in the principal dwelling unit may carry on the home occupation One (1) vehicle parking space is required in addition to those required for the principal No vehicle exceeding 4,600 kg in vehicle weight and associated with or used in the No retail sales shall be permitted in a home occupation, except for: is Iimited to one sign either on the building or on the property, and Occupation / Max. sign area 0.5 m2 0.5 m2 |
| Businesses not allowed | No flammable or explosive materials; no outdoor storage for contractor, trade or mobile service; no boarding, breeding or keeping animals; no cannabis production; no salvage or repair of vehicles, boats or machinery; no gatherings of more than 4 people for art, education, religion or therapy.Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, s. 7.5.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmaterial or products that produce inflammable or explosive vapours or gases under the outdoor storage of materials, vehicles and equipment associated with a the boarding, breeding or keeping of animals; cannabis production, indoor and cannabis production, outdoor; the salvage or repair of motor vehicles, boats, or other machinery; or the assembly of more than four (4) persons for any artistic, educational, religious, |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024 (s. 7.5); Business Licence Bylaw No. 1400, 2025Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024, s. 7.5; Business Licence Bylaw No. 1400, 2025, s. 1.0 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording7.4 Child Care Facility .................................................................................................31 7.5 Home Occupation .................................................................................................31 7.6 Retail Sales of Farm Products ..............................................................................32 ZONING BYLAW BYLAW NO. 1395, 2024 CONSOLIDATED VERSION This bylaw shall be cited for all purposes as the “Town of Osoyoos Business Licence |
How it works
The Zoning Bylaw No. 1395 (section 7.5) allows a "home occupation" accessory to a residence in the RS1, RSM, RM1, Town Centre (TC), C1, C2 and Agriculture (AG) zones. It is not listed in the tourist commercial, industrial or other zones. You also need a Town business licence under the Business Licence Bylaw No. 1400; the home occupation fee is $75 a year (other businesses $150). Licensing is reviewed against zoning.
Limits include:
- At most 40% of the dwelling's floor area, up to 50 m².
- Run by residents only, so no non-resident employees.
- Inside the dwelling, with no outdoor storage.
- One extra parking space, and no vehicle over 4,600 kg parked outside.
- Retail is limited.
- One sign, up to 0.5 m², in residential zones and some others (see Sign Bylaw No. 1282).
Steps
- Check your zone allows a home occupation.
- Check the limits above against your plans.
- Apply for the business licence (see the business-licence answer). The licence must be displayed.
Good to know
- Not allowed: flammable or explosive materials; outdoor storage for contractor, trade or mobile service; boarding, breeding or keeping animals; cannabis production; salvage or repair of vehicles, boats or machinery; gatherings of more than 4 people for art, education, religion or therapy.
- No limit on client visits was found other than the retail rule and the 4-person assembly limit.
- A home occupation used contrary to the rules brings a $200 bylaw notice ($180 early, $210 late).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Oliver · Keremeos · Midway · Penticton · Greenwood · Summerland
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw No. 1395, 2024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licence Bylaw No. 1400, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Sign Bylaw No. 1282, 2012 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
- Business Licences and Permits, Town of Osoyoos (read 2026-11-06)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 1392, 2025 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
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.