---
title: Pitt Meadows home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home?"
place: Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/pitt-meadows
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Pitt Meadows
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/home-based-business.json"
---

# Pitt Meadows home-based business rules

**Question:** Can I run a business from my home?

**Short answer:** Yes. Pitt Meadows allows home-based businesses where the zone lists them, in three categories (Minor, Major and Rural), and each needs a City business licence. Through December 31, 2026 a home occupation licence is $49 a year. Short-term rental is not allowed.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Pitt Meadows, https://www.pittmeadows.ca)  
**Cost:** Through December 31, 2026: home occupations (artist, ceramics, gift baskets, hand crafts, bed and breakfast, salon) $49 a year. From January 1, 2027: home-based business (craft) $58 initial, $49 renewal. A $50 application fee, credited to the licence fee, applies only where the initial fee is over $50.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Business licensing, 604-465-2428
- Email: Licensing, licensing@pittmeadows.ca

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, where the zone lists Home-Based Business as an accessory use (for example RS, R-3, R-4, R-6, RR, A-1 and A-2). There are three categories: Minor, Major (lot at least 350 sq m, single-family dwelling or duplex, rural residential or agricultural) and Rural (lot at least 8,093 sq m, rural residential or agricultural).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 5.3.1](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Where permitted as an accessory use in the zone, a home-based" … "business must abide by the regulations of the applicable category"
  - Source: [Home-Based Businesses](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/business-licences/home-based-businesses)
  - Official wording: "Many types of home-based businesses are permitted in Pitt Meadows."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 10.1.2](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Principal Uses Accessory Uses  Mobile Home  Home-Based Business  Accessory Residential Buildings and Uses"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes, a business licence is required. Through December 31, 2026: home occupations (artist, ceramics, gift baskets, hand crafts, bed and breakfast, salon) $49 a year. From January 1, 2027: home-based business (craft) $58 initial, $49 renewal. A $50 application fee, credited to the licence fee, applies only where the initial fee is over $50.
  - Source: [Home-Based Businesses](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/business-licences/home-based-businesses)
  - Official wording: "Every home-based business shall comply with the requirements of Zoning Bylaw No. 2505 Sec 5.3 and must obtain a valid business licence."
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, Schedule A, item 29 (fees to Dec 31, 2026)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-No-3039%2C-2026-Consolidated-Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "HOME OCCUPATION" … "$49.00 for all categories" … "Except where the initial fee in Schedule “A” is $50.00 or less, every" … "administrative fee of $50.00. When the application is approved, this fee"
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, Schedule A, item 31 (from Jan 1, 2027)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-No-3039%2C-2026-Consolidated-Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "HOME-BASED BUSINESS (CRAFT) Initial Fee Renewal Fee" … "$58.00 $49.00"
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, s. 3.3.1](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-No-3039%2C-2026-Consolidated-Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "administrative fee of $50.00."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** All: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; no outdoor storage or work; doors closed. Minor: up to 20% of the home (max 50 sq m), no visitors, residents only. Major: 100 sq m, two visitors at a time, one non-resident employee. Rural: 100 sq m, two non-resident employees. Parking: 1 space per business, none if no one comes to the premises; up to four business vehicles per lot.
  - Source: [Home-Based Businesses, Home-Based Businesses, regulations table](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/business-licences/home-based-businesses)
  - Official wording: "20% of the dwelling unit up to 50 m²" … "Two at any given time" … "Only principal residents of the dwelling unit are permitted as an employee of the home-based business" … "One person other than principal residents of the dwelling unit is permitted as an employee of the home-based business" … "Not permitted. All exterior doors, including garage doors, must remain closed while the home-based business is being operated" … "any vehicle used by the home-based business must be parked on the lot associated with the home-based business, to a maximum of four per lot; one of which is permitted as a commercial vehicle with a maximum weight of 4,600 kg."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 5.3.1 table (j), (m); s. 5.3.3](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "7am to 9pm" … "The home-based business will not produce noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odours," … "Home-Based Business 1 per business" … "additional parking space for the home-based business is required."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses not allowed:** In all categories: vehicle repair, kennel or animal training/breeding/boarding, restaurant or food service, retail of goods not made by the business (except mail, phone or internet orders), growing controlled substances, fire-hazard uses, hazardous chemical or explosives storage, short-term rental. Minor category also bans child care and dog grooming.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 5.3.2](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Vehicle repair and vehicle-body repair;" … "Kennel; animal training, breeding, or boarding;" … "Restaurant, food or beverage service facility;" … "Cultivation of a controlled substance;" … "Any use that includes any on-site storage of hazardous chemicals or explosives;" … "Short-term rental. (Bylaw 2972, 2024" … "Child-care program, dog-" … "h) Short-term rental."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011, s. 5.3 (Home-Based Businesses); Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 5.3](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf)
  - Official wording: "5.3 Home-Based Businesses (Bylaw 2961, 2024)"
  - Source: [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, s. 1.1](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-No-3039%2C-2026-Consolidated-Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Pitt Meadows allows a home-based business where the zone lists it as an accessory use (for example RS, R-3, R-4, R-6, RR, A-1 and A-2), under section 5.3 of the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf). There are three categories:

- Minor: any dwelling, including suites, apartments and townhouses.
- Major: lot of at least 350 sq m, single-family dwelling or duplex, rural residential or agricultural.
- Rural: lot of at least 8,093 sq m, rural residential or agricultural.

A business licence is required. Multiple businesses share the category maximums.

## Steps

1. Work out your category from your home type and lot size.
2. Check your business is not on the prohibited list below.
3. Prepare a floor plan and, if required, a site plan showing parking.
4. Apply for a licence: licensing@pittmeadows.ca or 604-465-2428. The $50 application fee is credited to the licence fee and applies only where the initial fee is over $50.

## Good to know

- All categories: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; no outdoor storage or work; doors closed.
- Minor: up to 20% of the home (maximum 50 sq m); no visitors; residents only.
- Major: 100 sq m; two visitors at a time; one non-resident employee. Child care is allowed only in this category, with an outdoor play area.
- Rural: 100 sq m; two non-resident employees.
- Parking: one space per business, none if no one comes to the premises; up to four business vehicles per lot.
- Not allowed in any category: vehicle repair, kennels or animal training, breeding or boarding, restaurants or food service, retail of goods not made by the business (except mail, phone or internet orders), growing controlled substances, fire-hazard uses, hazardous chemical or explosives storage, and short-term rental. Minor also bans child care and dog grooming.
- Dog grooming or day-care is limited to two dogs at a time (other than the resident's). Massage therapy only by members of the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia.
- Fees through December 31, 2026 are under the old schedule; the new schedule applies from January 1, 2027.

## What you'll need

- Floor plan of the home or accessory building showing the area (with size) used for the business
- Site plan showing off-street parking for the business, if required

## Official forms and pages

- [Home-Based Businesses (City page)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/business-licences/home-based-businesses)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011, section 5.3 (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.pdf)
- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-No-3039%2C-2026-Consolidated-Version.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Pitt Meadows business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/business-licence.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business.md)
- [Maple Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/home-based-business.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/home-based-business.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/home-based-business.md)
- [Anmore](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/home-based-business.md)
- [Port Moody](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-moody/home-based-business.md)
- [Belcarra](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/belcarra/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Home-Based Businesses, City of Pitt Meadows](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/business-and-building/business-licences/home-based-businesses) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2026-04/Business-Licensing-and-Regulation-Bylaw-No-3039%2C-2026-Consolidated-Version.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version (PDF)](https://www.pittmeadows.ca/sites/default/files/2025-04/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202505%2C%202011%20-%20Consolidated%20Version_2.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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Pitt Meadows. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/home-based-business/_