Princeton home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home?
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.
Key facts
| Allowed | 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.Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, 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; Official Community Plan 2022-2042, Home-based business policy (a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinghome occupation, major; home occupation, major only in a single detached dwelling; home occupation, minor; home occupation, major; and, Home-based businesses are permitted in all residential areas according to the |
|---|---|
| Business licence | 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.Business Licence Application, Application form and fee schedule; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences, Schedule F, F01 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingCommercial 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 Resident Business License $ 70.00 $ 75.00 $ 80.00 $ 85.00 $ 90.00 |
| Limits | 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.Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, s. 6.26.1, 6.26.5, 6.26.7; Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, s. 6.25.1-6.25.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingshall 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 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 |
| Businesses not allowed | 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).Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, s. 6.26.8 (minor), 6.25.7 (major) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingTow-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 |
| Bylaw | 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.Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013, s. 1.1; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingTown of Princeton Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 Town of Princeton Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 914, 2016 |
How it works
The Town of Princeton's Zoning Bylaw 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).
The 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.
Steps
- Check your zone (see zoning-lookup) and the limits below.
- Complete the Business Licence Application and email it to spalmar@princeton.ca, or drop it off at the Annex.
- Pay the fee: $90, prorated by 50% if received after October 1.
Good to know
- 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, with no external storage. The proprietor must live there. Major needs off-street parking for employees, clients and customers.
- Signs: one sign of 0.6 m² (6.5 ft²), no back lighting.
- 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).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Keremeos · Summerland · Hope · Penticton · Peachland · Oliver
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Zoning Bylaw Number 880, 2013 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1026, 2022, Schedule F, Business Licences (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Business Licence Application (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
- Official Community Plan 2022-2042 (PDF), Town of Princeton (read 2026-11-08)
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.