{"title":"Revelstoke home-based business rules","question":"Can I run a business from my home?","slug":"home-based-business","place":{"path":"ca/bc/revelstoke","name":"Revelstoke","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 Revelstoke","url":"https://www.revelstoke.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in Revelstoke you can run a home based business as an accessory use to your home, with a City business licence. The Zoning Bylaw has two types: Type I (no outside employees, one client visit at a time) and Type II (up to two outside employees, two client visits at a time).","aliases":["home occupation revelstoke","home business revelstoke","work from home business licence revelstoke","home based business type I type II"],"cost":"$58 a year for a home occupation licence, plus a $58 application fee for a new licence (non-profits exempt) and a $105 inspection fee where an inspection is needed.","how_long":"The City says the initial licence review takes about 3 to 4 weeks.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Development Services","value":"development@revelstoke.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-837-3637"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025 (PDF), section 5.9","url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/"},{"title":"Business Licensing page","url":"https://www.revelstoke.ca/2054/Business-Licensing"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Revelstoke business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/business-licence/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Revelstoke short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/short-term-rental/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/sicamous","name":"Sicamous","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sicamous/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/nakusp","name":"Nakusp","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/golden","name":"Golden","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/golden/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 to a single-detached, two-unit or multi-unit dwelling, or dwellings in a mixed-use building. Type I: all residential zones, MU-1 to MU-4, C-4, CD-02, 03, 05, 06, 08, 10, 11 and 12. Type II: R-LD1, R-LD2, R-LD5, R-LD6, R-LD7, MU-2, CD-06 and CD-10. Maximum two per lot, only one Type II.","short":"Yes, Type I in all residential zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449 (PDF), City of Revelstoke","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 5.9(1)-(2) and zone permitted-use lists","quotes":["A home based business is only permitted as an accessory use to a single-","detached dwelling, two-unit dwelling, multi-unit dwelling, or to the residential","(2) A maximum of two (2) home based businesses are permitted per lot, with a maximum","of one (1) home based business, type II permitted per lot.","(11) Home based business, type I","(12) Home based business, type II","(2)      A maximum of two (2) home based businesses are permitted per lot, with a maximum","(23) Home based business, type II","(7)      Home based business, type II"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes, a business licence is required. Fee: $58 a year for home occupations, plus a $58 application fee for a new licence (non-profits exempt) and a $105 inspection fee where an inspection is needed.","short":"Yes: $58 a year plus $58 application fee (new)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451 (PDF), City of Revelstoke","section":"Business Licensing Bylaw s. 4","quotes":["No person shall carry on, maintain, own or operate from premises within the City a","trade, business, profession, occupation or calling unless the owner or operator thereof:"]},{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/145989","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, Schedule I (PDF), City of Revelstoke","section":"Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule I, items 52, 102, 104","quotes":["52. HOME OCCUPATIONS $58.00","102. BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION FEE $58.00","104. BUSINESS LICENSE INSPECTION FEE $105.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Type I: no non-resident employees, no outdoor storage, one client visit at a time, at most 15% of the usable floor space of the dwelling and accessory buildings. Type II: up to 2 non-resident employees, 20 m² of screened outdoor storage, one sign up to 0.3 m², two client visits at a time, up to 25% of floor space. All parking on the lot.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449 (PDF), City of Revelstoke","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 5.9.1, 5.9.2, 5.9(1)(e)","quotes":["(1) A home based business, type I, is not permitted any non-resident employees.","(2) A home based business, type I, is not permitted to have any outdoor storage on a lot.","(3) A home based business, type I, is permitted a maximum of one (1) client visit to the lot","(4) A home based business, type I, shall not comprise more than 15% of the total","(1) A home based business, type II, is permitted a maximum of two (2) non-resident","(6) A home based business, type II, shall not comprise more than 25% of the total","e. All parking associated with a home based business must be accommodated within"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_allowed":{"label":"Businesses not allowed","value":"No list of banned business types. Not allowed: a home business that discharges odours, noxious matter, vapours, smoke, dust, heat, glare or radiation; one that is a fire hazard through manufacturing processes or materials storage; or one that changes the character or external appearance of the dwelling. In residential zones such as R-LD1, Type II is also prohibited on a lot with a community care facility, group home or bed and breakfast.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449 (PDF), City of Revelstoke","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 5.9(1)","quotes":["b. A home based business shall be operated as an accessory use only and shall not","change the character or external appearance of the principal dwelling.","d. There shall be no discharge or emitting of odorous or noxious matters, vapours,","f. Any home based business that represents a fire hazard by virtue of manufacturing","(17) Home based business type II is prohibited on a lot that contains a community care","facility, group home, or bed and breakfast."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Revelstoke Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025 (s. 5.9); Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, 1995; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, Schedule I","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449 (PDF), City of Revelstoke","section":"Zoning Bylaw s. 5.9","quotes":["City of Revelstoke Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025","5.9 Home Based Business"]},{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451 (PDF), City of Revelstoke","section":"Business Licensing Bylaw title","quotes":["City of Revelstoke Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, 1995"]}],"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\nSection 5.9 of the [Zoning Bylaw 2406](https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/) allows a home based business as an accessory use to a single-detached, two-unit or multi-unit dwelling, or to dwellings in a mixed-use building. You also need a City business licence. A maximum of two home based businesses are allowed per lot, and only one can be Type II.\n\n- **Type I** is allowed in all residential zones, MU-1 to MU-4, C-4, and CD-02, 03, 05, 06, 08, 10, 11 and 12.\n- **Type II** is allowed in R-LD1, R-LD2, R-LD5, R-LD6, R-LD7, MU-2, CD-06 and CD-10.\n\nType I is not listed in the C-1, C-2, C-3, industrial or park zones. Confirm your lot's zone on the City map.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check that your zone lists a home based business, and decide whether you are Type I or Type II.\n2. Apply for a business licence through Development Services (see the business-licence answer).\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Type I:** no non-resident employees, no outdoor storage, one client visit at a time, at most 15% of the usable floor space of the dwelling and accessory buildings.\n- **Type II:** up to 2 non-resident employees, 20 m² of screened outdoor storage (not in the front yard setback, 1.5 m from side and rear lot lines), one sign up to 0.3 m², two client visits at a time, up to 25% of floor space.\n- All parking must be on your lot.\n- **Not allowed:** a home business that discharges odours, noxious matter, vapours, smoke, dust, heat, glare or radiation; is a fire hazard through manufacturing or storage; or changes the character or outside appearance of the home. The bylaw does not list banned business types.\n- In residential zones such as R-LD1, Type II is also not allowed on a lot with a community care facility, group home or bed and breakfast.\n- **Tickets for a zoning breach:** a bylaw notice is $300 ($200 if paid early); a municipal ticket is $1,000.","sources":[{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/193929/","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449 (PDF), City of Revelstoke","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/1053","title":"Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451 (PDF), City of Revelstoke","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/145989","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, Schedule I (PDF), City of Revelstoke","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.revelstoke.ca/2054/Business-Licensing","title":"Business Licensing, City of Revelstoke","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/226008/","title":"Bylaw Offence Notice Bylaw No. 2370, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://revelstoke.civicweb.net/document/164836","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2082, Schedule 2 (PDF), City of Revelstoke","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/revelstoke/home-based-business/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/home-based-business.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/revelstoke/home-based-business.json"}}