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Revelstoke home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

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

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).

Key facts

AllowedYes, 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.9(1)-(2) and zone permitted-use lists · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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
Business licenceYes, 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.Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451, Business Licensing Bylaw s. 4; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, Schedule I, Fees and Charges Bylaw Schedule I, items 52, 102, 104 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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:
52. HOME OCCUPATIONS $58.00
102. BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION FEE $58.00
104. BUSINESS LICENSE INSPECTION FEE $105.00
LimitsType 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.9.1, 5.9.2, 5.9(1)(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
(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
Businesses not allowedNo 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.9(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
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.
BylawCity 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 IZoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449, Zoning Bylaw s. 5.9; Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451, Business Licensing Bylaw title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
City of Revelstoke Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025
5.9 Home Based Business
City of Revelstoke Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, 1995

How it works

Section 5.9 of the Zoning Bylaw 2406 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.

  • 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.
  • Type II is allowed in R-LD1, R-LD2, R-LD5, R-LD6, R-LD7, MU-2, CD-06 and CD-10.

Type 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.

Steps

  1. Check that your zone lists a home based business, and decide whether you are Type I or Type II.
  2. Apply for a business licence through Development Services (see the business-licence answer).

Good to know

  • 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 (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.
  • All parking must be on your lot.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Tickets for a zoning breach: a bylaw notice is $300 ($200 if paid early); a municipal ticket is $1,000.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Sicamous · Enderby · Nakusp · Armstrong · Spallumcheen · Golden

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 2406, 2025, consolidated to Bylaw 2449 (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw No. 1503, consolidated to Bylaw 2451 (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2256, Schedule I (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Business Licensing, City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Bylaw Offence Notice Bylaw No. 2370, consolidated (PDF), City of Revelstoke (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 2082, Schedule 2 (PDF), City of Revelstoke (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.