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Port Moody home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home in Port Moody?

Port Moody, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

Yes. Port Moody's Zoning Bylaw allows three kinds of home occupation: Type A (home office), Type B (home-based business) and Type C (low-impact). Every business needs a City licence; home occupation is in the Basic Licence Category at $155 a year.

Key facts

AllowedYes. Home Occupation Types A (home office) and B (home-based business) are secondary uses in single detached zones such as RS1; Type C (low-impact) is allowed in all zones where residential use is permitted.Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated), s. 5.2.3 and 8.4.2 (RS1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
A Home Occupation – Type C – Low-Impact Home-Based Business shall be permitted in all zones where residential use is permitted
Home Occupation – Type B
Home Occupation – Type A
Business licenceYes. Every business needs a City licence. Home Occupation falls in the Basic Licence Category at $155 a year; half the fee if you start after July 31.Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw, 2015, No. 3000 (consolidated), s. 5.1 and 5.15; Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated), Business Licence and Bylaw Enforcement · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Every person carrying on, maintaining, owning, or operating with the City any profession, business, trade, occupation, calling, or undertaking shall hold a subsisting licence
shall be reduced by one half in respect of the person who becomes liable to be licensed after the 31st day of July
Basic Licence Category
Home Occupation
Home Daycare of 10 children or less 155.00
LimitsType B: resident plus up to two non-resident employees; within the dwelling or accessory building, 50 m² max; no significant traffic; 1 parking space per non-resident employee; signs per Sign Bylaw. Type A: resident only, no customer visits, no signs. Type C: resident only, enclosed, up to five visits a day. No outside storage.Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated), s. 5.2.3; Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated), s. 6.3.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
not more than two non-resident employees on the premises;
not exceed 50m2 of Floor
not generate customer visits
not involve more than five visits to the premises per
outside storage of materials, equipment, or finished products is not permitted
Home Occupation – 1 space per non-resident employee. Type B
Businesses not allowedVeterinary care, animal daycare or boarding, breeding of animals, and retail sale or lease of goods from the premises unless the goods are produced there.Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated), s. 5.2.3(a)(iv) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Veterinary care, Animal Daycare or boarding, or breeding of animals
Retail sale or lease of goods from the premises unless the goods are produced on the premises.
BylawCity of Port Moody Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937, s. 5.2.3; City of Port Moody Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw, 2015, No. 3000Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated), s. 5.2.3; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw, 2015, No. 3000 (consolidated), s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
City of Port Moody Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937
City of Port Moody Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw, 2015, No. 3000

How it works

The Zoning Bylaw 2937 (s. 5.2.3) treats home occupation as a secondary use. Types A and B are secondary uses in single detached zones such as RS1; Type C is allowed in all zones where residential use is permitted. Other zones list their own secondary uses, so check your zone's table.

  • Type A, home office: the resident only, no customer visits, no signs.
  • Type B, home-based business: the resident plus up to two non-resident employees; within the dwelling or an accessory building, 50 m² maximum; no significant traffic; 1 parking space per non-resident employee; signs per the Sign Bylaw. Not allowed on a lot with a Bed and Breakfast, Boarding or Child Care use.
  • Type C, low-impact: the resident only, enclosed, up to five visits a day.

All types: no outside storage, no offensive noise, smoke or odours, and no exterior alterations inconsistent with residential character.

Steps

  1. Confirm your zone and business type in section 5.2.3.
  2. Get a City business licence (see the business-licence answer). Under the Business Licensing Bylaw, every business needs one.

Good to know

  • Not allowed as a home occupation: veterinary care, animal daycare or boarding, breeding of animals, and retail sale or lease of goods from the premises unless the goods are produced there.
  • Planning (604-469-4540) answers land use questions; Licensing (604-469-4541) handles the licence.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Belcarra · Anmore · Coquitlam · New Westminster · Port Coquitlam · Burnaby

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

Sources

  1. Business Licences and Permits, City of Port Moody (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 (consolidated) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw, 2015, No. 3000 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Fees Bylaw, 2025, No. 3524 (consolidated) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Zoning, City of Port Moody (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.