{"title":"Prince George home-based business rules","question":"Can I run a business from my home?","slug":"home-based-business","place":{"path":"ca/bc/prince-george","name":"Prince George","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"business","name":"Starting and running a business"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Prince George","url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in Prince George many home businesses are allowed with a City business licence, but the Zoning Bylaw sorts them into Home Business 1, 2 and 3 with limits on floor area, employees, clients and vehicles. Some uses, such as restaurants and massage services, are not allowed at home.","aliases":["home business licence prince george","work from home business rules prince george","home occupation prince george","home based business zoning"],"cost":"2026 annual licence: Home Business 1 $95.07 ($140 for an office-only contractor or trade); Home Business 2 $140; Home Business 3 $215.32. New applications also pay a $100 processing fee and a $25 title search fee.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"online","label":"Apply for a business licence","value":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/city-services/permits-applications/business-licence-application"},{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-561-7611"},{"type":"email","label":"Development Services","value":"devserv@princegeorge.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Home Business 1 Regulations","url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/media/187"},{"title":"Home Business 2 Regulations","url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/media/188"},{"title":"Home Business 3 Regulations","url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/media/189"},{"title":"Business Licences page","url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/business-development/business-licences"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Prince George business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/business-licence/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/vanderhoof","name":"Vanderhoof","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/quesnel","name":"Quesnel","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-james","name":"Fort St James","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/wells","name":"Wells","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/wells/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fraser-lake","name":"Fraser Lake","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fraser-lake/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/mackenzie","name":"Mackenzie","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/home-based-business/"}],"topic":{"title":"Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business/"},"facts":{"allowed":{"label":"Allowed","value":"Yes, as an accessory use of a home by a resident living there more than 240 days a year. Home Business 1 and 2 are secondary uses in AR, RS, RT and some RM zones (HB1 also in some others); Home Business 3 only in the Home Business Overlay (Schedule B), within AR, RS1 and RS2.","short":"Yes, in AR, RS, RT and some RM zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/BL7850_CONSOLIDATED_2026-10-05.pdf","title":"City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Definitions: Home Business 1; Home Business Overlay","quotes":["Home Business 1: the accessory use of a principal dwelling by at least 1 resident (who resides for more than 240 days of a year at that dwelling) of the dwelling to conduct a business activity or occupation.","Home Business Overlay (HBO): lands identified in Schedule \"B\" of this Bylaw.","Home Business Overlay (HBO): lands identified in Schedule “B” of this Bylaw."]},{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, City of Prince George","section":"Home Business Regulations (web page)","quotes":["Home businesses are divided into four categories with each category having its own set of regulations."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. The operator must hold a City business licence. 2026 fees: Home Business 1 $95.07 ($140 for an office-only contractor or trade), Home Business 2 $140, Home Business 3 $215.32, plus the $100 processing fee for a new application.","short":"Yes: $95.07 to $215.32 by type, plus $100 processing","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/BL7850_CONSOLIDATED_2026-10-05.pdf","title":"City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 5.3.1(d)","quotes":["who shall hold a business license from the City"]},{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/BL7557_CONSOLIDATED_2025-12-15.pdf","title":"Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7557, 2004, Schedule A-2 (PDF)","section":"Schedule A-2, Business Licence","quotes":["Home Business 1 Home Business 1 $89.61 $92.30 $95.07 $97.92","Home Business 2 Home Business 2 $140.00 $140.00 $140.00 $144.20","Home Business 3 Home Business 3 $195.30 $205.07 $215.32 $221.81","Processing fee (non-refundable) for all new, relocation, and re-applications $100.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"All: max two home businesses per building; no nuisance beyond the property line; vehicle trips 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon to Sat, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun and holidays; extra parking. HB1: 25% of floor area, no non-resident employees, 3 clients per 24 h, 1 vehicle, no outdoor storage. HB2: 1 employee, 1 client per hour, 2 vehicles. HB3: 2 employees, 2 clients per hour, 3 vehicles.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/BL7850_CONSOLIDATED_2026-10-05.pdf","title":"City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 5.2.1, s. 5.3.1, s. 5.4.1, s. 5.5.1","quotes":["No more than two home businesses may be located in one principal building.","Monday to Saturday between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM; and","the home business 1 does not occupy more than 25% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling.","there shall be no more than three home business clients or customers on site during any period of 24 hours for a home business 1.","may employ no more than one non-resident on- site employee.","there shall be no more than one home business client or customer on site during any 60 consecutive minutes, except for one instruction class once a week for up to five students.","may employ no more than two non-resident on- site employees.","there shall be no more than two home business clients or customers on site during any 60 consecutive minutes."]},{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/media/187","title":"Home Business 1 Regulations, City of Prince George","section":"Home Business 1 Regulations guide (web page)","quotes":["the home business 1 shall have no more than one home business vehicle parked and maintained on the premises."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_allowed":{"label":"Businesses not allowed","value":"Restaurants, massage, dating or escort services, adult-oriented or spectator entertainment, vet services, animal shelters, breeding or boarding, community care facilities, warehousing, waste management, bed & breakfast or other on-site accommodation. Vehicle repair, washing or painting is excluded (Home Business 3: only if not accessory). Home Business 1 also excludes education, taxidermy and goods over 5 kg.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/BL7850_CONSOLIDATED_2026-10-05.pdf","title":"City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Definitions: Home Business 1, 2, 3","quotes":["A home business 1 does not include: any use permitted under the M6 and M7 zones; spectator, patron participation, or adult-oriented entertainment; dating or escort services; massage services; community care facilities; correction services; restaurants; veterinary services;","warehousing; non- accessory parking; bed & breakfast, agri-tourism accommodation, campground, hotel, motel or any other on-site accommodation service","on-site repair, washing or painting of vehicles or equipment (unless accessory to the business)","taxidermy; education; on-site manufacturing, processing, fabricating or assembling goods heavier than 5 kg;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (ss. 5.2 to 5.5); City of Prince George Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/BL7850_CONSOLIDATED_2026-10-05.pdf","title":"City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026) (PDF)","section":"ss. 5.2 to 5.5","quotes":["City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 - CONSOLIDATED"]},{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2023-04/BL9040_ADOPTED.PDF","title":"Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as the \"City of Prince George Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020\"."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nA resident who lives in the home more than 240 days a year may run a home business as an accessory use. Home Business 1 and 2 are secondary uses in AR, RS, RT and some RM zones. Home Business 3 is allowed only in the Home Business Overlay (Schedule B), within AR, RS1 and RS2. RS3 and RS4 list Home Business 1 and 2 only.\n\nYou need a City business licence. The rules are in the [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/BL7850_CONSOLIDATED_2026-10-05.pdf), sections 5.2 to 5.5.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Read the City's guide for the category closest to your business (links above).\n2. Check your property's zone and overlay in PGMap, or call Development Services at 250-561-7611.\n3. Apply for a business licence online, choosing the home business type.\n4. Keep to the limits below.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- All categories: no more than two home businesses per building; no nuisance beyond the property line; vehicle trips only 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and holidays; parking in addition to the required residential parking.\n- Home Business 1: 25% of floor area, no non-resident employees, 3 clients per 24 hours, 1 vehicle, no outdoor storage.\n- Home Business 2: 25% of floor area, 1 employee, 1 client per hour, 2 vehicles (no heavy vehicles), no outdoor storage or display.\n- Home Business 3: 2 employees, 2 clients per hour, up to 3 vehicles on sites up to 1.0 ha (one may be heavy). Floor area is capped relative to the dwelling; outdoor storage only on sites over 1.0 ha, screened.\n- Not allowed: restaurants, massage, dating or escort services, adult-oriented or spectator entertainment, vet services, animal shelters, breeding or boarding, community care facilities, warehousing, waste management, bed and breakfast or other on-site accommodation, and vehicle repair, washing or painting (Home Business 3 only if not accessory). Home Business 1 also excludes education, taxidermy and goods over 5 kg.\n- Licences expire December 31. Fees rise 3% a year after 2026.\n- A bylaw notice for non-compliance is $200 ($250 if paid late).","sources":[{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, City of Prince George","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/media/187","title":"Home Business 1 Regulations, City of Prince George","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2026-10/BL7850_CONSOLIDATED_2026-10-05.pdf","title":"City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/BL7557_CONSOLIDATED_2025-12-15.pdf","title":"Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7557, 2004, Schedule A-2 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.princegeorge.ca/sites/default/files/2023-04/BL9040_ADOPTED.PDF","title":"Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/home-based-business/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/home-based-business.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/home-based-business.json"}}