Pitt Meadows home-based business rules
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.
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).Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 5.3.1; Home-Based Businesses; Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 10.1.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingWhere permitted as an accessory use in the zone, a home-based business must abide by the regulations of the applicable category Many types of home-based businesses are permitted in Pitt Meadows. Principal Uses Accessory Uses Mobile Home Home-Based Business Accessory Residential Buildings and Uses |
|---|---|
| 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.Home-Based Businesses; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, Schedule A, item 29 (fees to Dec 31, 2026); Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, Schedule A, item 31 (from Jan 1, 2027); Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, s. 3.3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingEvery home-based business shall comply with the requirements of Zoning Bylaw No. 2505 Sec 5.3 and must obtain a valid business licence. 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 HOME-BASED BUSINESS (CRAFT) Initial Fee Renewal Fee $58.00 $49.00 administrative fee of $50.00. |
| 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.Home-Based Businesses, Home-Based Businesses, regulations table; Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 5.3.1 table (j), (m); s. 5.3.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording20% 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. 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. |
| 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 5.3.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingVehicle 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. |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011, s. 5.3 (Home-Based Businesses); Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026.Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version, s. 5.3; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wording5.3 Home-Based Businesses (Bylaw 2961, 2024) Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 |
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. 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
- Work out your category from your home type and lot size.
- Check your business is not on the prohibited list below.
- Prepare a floor plan and, if required, a site plan showing parking.
- 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
The same question in other places
Maple Ridge · Port Coquitlam · Coquitlam · Anmore · Port Moody · Belcarra
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Home-Based Businesses, City of Pitt Meadows (read 2026-11-05)
- Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 3039, 2026 (consolidated PDF), Schedule A (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011 - Consolidated Version (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.