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Prince George home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

Prince George, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

AllowedYes, 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.City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026), Definitions: Home Business 1; Home Business Overlay; Business Licences, Home Business Regulations (web page) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
Home businesses are divided into four categories with each category having its own set of regulations.
Business licenceYes. 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.City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026), s. 5.3.1(d); Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7557, 2004, Schedule A-2, Schedule A-2, Business Licence · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
who shall hold a business license from the City
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
LimitsAll: 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.City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026), s. 5.2.1, s. 5.3.1, s. 5.4.1, s. 5.5.1; Home Business 1 Regulations, Home Business 1 Regulations guide (web page) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
the home business 1 shall have no more than one home business vehicle parked and maintained on the premises.
Businesses not allowedRestaurants, 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.City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026), Definitions: Home Business 1, 2, 3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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;
BylawCity 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, 2020City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026), ss. 5.2 to 5.5; Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 - CONSOLIDATED
This Bylaw may be cited as the "City of Prince George Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020".

How it works

A 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.

You need a City business licence. The rules are in the Zoning Bylaw, sections 5.2 to 5.5.

Steps

  1. Read the City's guide for the category closest to your business (links above).
  2. Check your property's zone and overlay in PGMap, or call Development Services at 250-561-7611.
  3. Apply for a business licence online, choosing the home business type.
  4. Keep to the limits below.

Good to know

  • 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.
  • Home Business 1: 25% of floor area, no non-resident employees, 3 clients per 24 hours, 1 vehicle, no outdoor storage.
  • Home Business 2: 25% of floor area, 1 employee, 1 client per hour, 2 vehicles (no heavy vehicles), no outdoor storage or display.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Licences expire December 31. Fees rise 3% a year after 2026.
  • A bylaw notice for non-compliance is $200 ($250 if paid late).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Vanderhoof · Quesnel · Fort St James · Wells · Fraser Lake · Mackenzie

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

Sources

  1. Business Licences, City of Prince George (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Home Business 1 Regulations, City of Prince George (read 2026-11-05)
  3. City of Prince George Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007 (consolidated October 5, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7557, 2004, Schedule A-2 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 9040, 2020 (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.