{"title":"Princeton home-based business rules","question":"Can I run a business from my home?","slug":"home-based-business","place":{"path":"ca/bc/princeton","name":"Princeton","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":"Town of Princeton","url":"https://www.princeton.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in Princeton, if your zone allows it. Major home occupations are permitted in the RC, RS1, RD, RM2 and C1 zones; minor ones in RS2, RSM, RD, RM2 and RM3. The Town's business licence form has a Home Based option; the basic fee is $90 a year.","aliases":["home occupation princeton","home business licence princeton bc","work from home business princeton","home based business bylaw princeton"],"cost":"$90 basic business licence fee (September 1, 2026 rate), prorated by 50% for applications received after October 1.","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Business licensing","value":"spalmar@princeton.ca"},{"type":"in_person","label":"The Annex","value":"231 Bridge Street, Princeton, BC"},{"type":"phone","label":"Town Hall","value":"250-295-3135"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Business Licence Application (PDF)","url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=BUSINESS%20LICENCE%20APPLICATION_new(1).pdf"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 (PDF)","url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/11311/"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Princeton business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/business-licence/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Princeton zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Princeton short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/short-term-rental/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/keremeos","name":"Keremeos","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/keremeos/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/summerland","name":"Summerland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hope","name":"Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hope/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/penticton","name":"Penticton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/oliver","name":"Oliver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oliver/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. Major home occupations are permitted in the RC, RS1, RD, RM2 (RD and RM2 only in a single detached dwelling) and C1 zones. Minor home occupations are permitted in the RS2, RSM, RD, RM2 and RM3 zones.","short":"Yes, major or minor in listed zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/11311/","title":"Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"s. 10.1.5, 11.1.2, 14.1.2-14.1.3, 15.1.6-15.1.7, 17.1.5, 12.1.1, 13.1.1, 16.1.5","quotes":["home occupation, major;","home occupation, major only in a single detached dwelling;","home occupation, minor;","home occupation, major; and,"]},{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/60569/","title":"Official Community Plan 2022-2042 (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"Home-based business policy (a)","quotes":["Home-based businesses are permitted in all residential areas according to the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"The Town's business licence application has a 'Home Based' box; the basic fee is $90 (resident business licence, September 1, 2026 rate), prorated by 50% for applications received after October 1.","short":"Yes: $90 basic fee","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=BUSINESS%20LICENCE%20APPLICATION_new(1).pdf","title":"Business Licence Application (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"Application form and fee schedule","quotes":["Commercial Home Based Non-Residential Intermunicipal Seasonal Change of","Basic Fee $90.00","Charge is prorated by 50% for application received after October 1st of each year"]},{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"Schedule F, F01","quotes":["Resident Business License $ 70.00 $ 75.00 $ 80.00 $ 85.00 $ 90.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Minor: at most 50 m² or 20% of the dwelling's floor area (whichever is less), residents only, one client visit a day. Major: at most 75 m² or 25% (whichever is less), one non-resident employee, no more than five client visits at any time, one per parcel. Both must be fully enclosed in the dwelling.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/11311/","title":"Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"s. 6.26.1, 6.26.5, 6.26.7","quotes":["shall not occupy more than 50.0 m2 (538.2 ft2) or 20.0% of the floor area of the dwelling unit, whichever is less.","A minor home occupation shall not generate more than one client or customer visit"]},{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/11311/","title":"Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"s. 6.25.1-6.25.5","quotes":["shall not occupy more than 75.0 m2 (807 ft2) or 25.0% of the floor area of the dwelling unit, whichever is less.","A major home occupation may employ one person who is not a resident of the","shall not generate more than five client or customer visits"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"not_allowed":{"label":"Businesses not allowed","value":"Not allowed: salvage, storage, repair or sales of motor vehicles, trailers, boats or parts; tow-truck operations; manufacturing and industrial uses; social escort services; cabinet making; welding or machine shops; meat cutting; commercial animal breeding; parking or storage of industrial, commercial or construction equipment or materials; sale or storage of goods not produced on the premises (internet, phone and mail-order sales allowed if customers do not visit).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/11311/","title":"Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"s. 6.26.8 (minor), 6.25.7 (major)","quotes":["Tow-truck operations, manufacturing and industrial uses, social escort services,","cabinet making, welding or machine shops, meat cutting, commercial animal","internet, telephone or mail order sales of such commodities shall be permitted"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Town of Princeton Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, ss. 6.25 and 6.26; Town of Princeton Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 914, 2016.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/11311/","title":"Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"s. 1.1","quotes":["Town of Princeton Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013"]},{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences (PDF), Town of Princeton","section":"Schedule F","quotes":["Town of Princeton Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 914, 2016"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe Town of Princeton's [Zoning Bylaw](https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/11311/) permits major home occupations in the RC, RS1, RD, RM2 (RD and RM2 only in a single detached dwelling) and C1 zones. Minor home occupations are permitted in the RS2, RSM, RD, RM2 and RM3 zones. A major home occupation must also meet the minor rules. The FG zone permits \"home industry\" instead (ss. 6.17 to 6.24).\n\nThe Town's business licence application has a \"Home Based\" box. Which home occupations must hold a licence is set in the Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 914, 2016, which is not in the Town's posted bylaw library.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check your zone (see zoning-lookup) and the limits below.\n2. Complete the Business Licence Application and email it to spalmar@princeton.ca, or drop it off at the Annex.\n3. Pay the fee: $90, prorated by 50% if received after October 1.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Minor: at most 50 m² or 20% of the dwelling's floor area (whichever is less), residents only, one client visit a day.\n- Major: at most 75 m² or 25% (whichever is less), one non-resident employee, no more than five client visits at any time, one per parcel.\n- Both must be fully enclosed in the dwelling, with no external storage. The proprietor must live there. Major needs off-street parking for employees, clients and customers.\n- Signs: one sign of 0.6 m² (6.5 ft²), no back lighting.\n- Not allowed: salvage, storage, repair or sales of motor vehicles, trailers, boats or parts; tow-truck operations; manufacturing and industrial uses; social escort services; cabinet making; welding or machine shops; meat cutting; commercial animal breeding; storage of industrial, commercial or construction equipment or materials; sale or storage of goods not produced on the premises (internet, phone and mail-order sales allowed if customers do not visit).","sources":[{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/11311/","title":"Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 (PDF), Town of Princeton","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/53142/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences (PDF), Town of Princeton","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://princeton.municipalwebsites.ca/ckfinder/connector?command=Proxy&lang=en&type=Files&currentFolder=%2FTown_Services%2F&hash=c245c263ce0eced480effe66bbede6b4d46c15ae&fileName=BUSINESS%20LICENCE%20APPLICATION_new(1).pdf","title":"Business Licence Application (PDF), Town of Princeton","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://princeton.civicweb.net/document/60569/","title":"Official Community Plan 2022-2042 (PDF), Town of Princeton","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/princeton/home-based-business/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/home-based-business.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/princeton/home-based-business.json"}}