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Quesnel home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

Quesnel, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Quesnel you can run a home business with a business licence, but only in listed zones. Major (Type I) is allowed in A-1, RR-1, CR-1, RS-1, RS-2 and C-2A; Minor (Type II) is also listed in other zones. Licence fee is $50 (minor) or $75 (major) plus a $50 fee on a new licence.

Key facts

AllowedYes, with a business licence. Major (Type I) is an accessory use in A-1, RR-1, CR-1, RS-1, RS-2 and C-2A. Minor (Type II) is also listed in RS-3, MHP-1, SR-1, RM-1 to RM-4, C-2 and CD-1. Rural (Type III) is in CR-1 (2 ha or more), A-1 and RR-1 (0.8 ha or more). One per dwelling unit.Zoning Bylaw No. 1980, section 4.17, ss. 4.17.3(j), 4.17.4, 4.17.5, 4.17.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Type I (Major Home Based Business) are permitted in any zone permitting either a single detached dwelling or a duplex
Type II (Minor Home Based Business) are permitted in any zone permitting a residential dwelling unit
A Type III home based business is permitted in the CR-1 zone only if the lot is 2 ha (5 ac) or larger.
A Type III home based business is permitted in the A-1 and RR-1 zone only if the lot is 0.8 ha (2.0 ac) or larger.
There shall only be a maximum of one home based business permitted to operate from a single dwelling unit.
permitted as accessory uses in the RS-3 Zone:
(i) rural home based business.
Business licenceYes. All home based businesses need a business licence. Fee: $50 for a Minor home based business (sole proprietor, no employees, no inspections, no fire inspection, no mobile service); $75 for a Major one. A new licence also pays a $50 administration fee.Zoning Bylaw No. 1980, section 4.17, s. 4.17.3(h); Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedule A5, Schedule A5, s. 1.0; New Business Licence, New Business Licence page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Operators of all home based businesses must obtain a business license.
Minor Home Based that meets the following critieria: $50
Major Home Based not falling under the above criteria $75
An additional non-refundable administration fee of $50.00 will be applied to the initial application.
Home Based Business Minor - All business activities take place in your home and no clientele visits your home. No business signage or business vehicle. - $50
LimitsType I (Major): inside the dwelling or accessory building, at most 25% of floor area and 50 m² in total, one non-resident employee, sign per Sign Bylaw. Type II (Minor): at most 25% of floor area up to 20 m², no signs, no goods displayed, stored or sold. No outdoor storage; parking on the lot.Zoning Bylaw No. 1980, section 4.17, ss. 4.17.3 to 4.17.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
in no case shall the combined area of the residence and the accessory building used to accommodate the home based business exceed 50 m2 (538 ft2)
may employ a maximum of one non-resident person.
no goods are to be displayed, stored or sold on the premises;
no signs are displayed on the lot;
shall not occupy more than 25% of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit, to a maximum area of
There shall be no external storage or display of materials, equipment, or finished products.
Businesses not allowedChild care for more than 10 children, escort services, vehicle, trailer, boat or equipment repair and painting, retail sale of goods not made on site (with exceptions such as agricultural products and mail, telephone or direct sales), spray painting, tow trucks, welding or machine shops. Fire-hazard businesses are prohibited.Zoning Bylaw No. 1980, section 4.17, ss. 4.17.8, 4.17.3(i) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Child care uses where more than 10 children are cared for;
Escort services;
Repair and painting of vehicles, trailers, boats, commercial equipment, and industrial equipment;
Welding or machine shops.
Any home based business that represents a fire hazard by virtue of the manufacturing process or materials storage shall be prohibited.
BylawCity of Quesnel Zoning Bylaw No. 1980, s. 4.17 (Home Based Business); Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 1810, 2016 as amended by Bylaw No. 1910, 2021.Zoning Bylaw No. 1980, section 4.17, s. 4.17; Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 1810, 2016, cover; Amendment Bylaw No. 1910, 2021, Bylaw 1910 preamble · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
4.17 Home Based Business
BUSINESS REGULATION AND LICENSING BYLAW NO. 1810, 2016
to improve the clarity of the language and better interpretation.

How it works

The City of Quesnel's Zoning Bylaw 1980, section 4.17, allows home based businesses as an accessory use in listed zones, with a business licence. Major (Type I) is allowed in A-1, RR-1, CR-1, RS-1, RS-2 and C-2A. Minor (Type II) is also listed in RS-3, MHP-1, SR-1, RM-1 to RM-4, C-2 and CD-1. Rural (Type III) is in CR-1 (2 ha or more), and in A-1 and RR-1 (0.8 ha or more). Only one is allowed per dwelling unit. A Major one is allowed only on lots limited to one single-detached dwelling or a duplex.

Steps

  1. Check that your zone allows your type. Call Development Services (250-992-2111) if unsure.
  2. Keep within the limits. Type I (Major): inside the dwelling or an accessory building, at most 25% of floor area and 50 m2 in total, one non-resident employee, sign per the Sign Bylaw. Type II (Minor): at most 25% of floor area up to 20 m2, no signs, no goods displayed, stored or sold. Type III (Rural): up to 100 m2 and two non-resident employees.
  3. If you rent, get a letter of permission from the owner.
  4. Apply for a business licence. Minor is $50 (sole proprietor, no employees, no inspections, no fire inspection, no mobile service); Major is $75. A new licence adds a $50 administration fee. Renew each year.

Good to know

  • No outdoor storage, and parking must be on your lot (one extra space beyond the dwelling's). No noise, odours, vibration or extra traffic.
  • Not allowed: child care for more than 10 children, escort services, vehicle, trailer, boat or equipment repair and painting, retail sale of goods not made on site (with exceptions such as agricultural products and mail, telephone or direct sales), spray painting, tow trucks, welding or machine shops. Fire-hazard businesses are prohibited.
  • The City's online form describes Minor as no clients visiting, no signage and no business vehicle. The fee schedule uses different tests, so confirm which category you fit.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Wells · Williams Lake · Prince George · McBride · Vanderhoof · 100 Mile House

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

Sources

  1. New Business Licence, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Zoning Bylaw No. 1980, section 4.17 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedule A5 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Business Regulation and Licensing Bylaw No. 1810, 2016 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Amendment Bylaw No. 1910, 2021 (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.