GovHandbook

Richmond home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

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

Short answer

Yes, in Richmond if it fits one of the Zoning Bylaw's home business types and you hold a City business licence. A home business licence is issued only for licensed crafts and teaching, a residential registered office, a residential business office, or a child care program of up to 8 children.

Key facts

AllowedYes, as a secondary use of a dwelling in most residential zones, agriculture and some commercial zones. A home business licence is issued only for licensed crafts and teaching, residential registered office, residential business office, or a child care program (up to 8 children). Home-based businesses (studios) are allowed in the City Centre only.Zoning Bylaw 8500, Section 5 Specific Use Regulations, s. 5.2.1 a), 5.2.3, 5.2.11 a); Appendix B, Home Business Uses, Definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
be considered secondary uses and will have a fixed expiry date
A home business licence may only be issued where the activities of the home business fall under one of the following categories
be located in the City Centre only
A home business licence may only be issued where the activities of the home business fall
“Child care program” means a home business with a maximum of 8 children
Business licenceYes. Home-based businesses must apply for a business licence, which has a fixed expiry date. A child care program that is a home business does not need a City licence. The fee schedule has no separate home-business rate; fees depend on the business category.Starting a Business in Richmond, page 2; Zoning Bylaw 8500, Section 5 Specific Use Regulations, s. 5.2.8 a); Business Licence Bylaw 7360, Part 3 definitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Home-based businesses are also required to apply
All child care programs that are home businesses are not required to
obtain a business license from the City
Home Occupation, which means a business being carried on within a dwelling
LimitsOnly household members work there (crafts and teaching: one client per resident); no outdoor storage or manufacturing; nothing detectable off-site; normal traffic. One unlit sign, max 0.2 m² (0.1 m² in City Centre). Home-based: max three clients at a time. Agricultural zones: home business max 100 m², inside the dwelling. Child care: up to 8 children.Zoning Bylaw 8500, Section 5 Specific Use Regulations, s. 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.4 to 5.2.6, 5.2.11; Zoning Bylaw 8500, Agriculture (AG1) zone, AG1 other regulations · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
not produce noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odours, heat, glare, electrical or radio
not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic to a greater extent than is normal in the zone
one non-illuminated identification sign that indicates the name of the business. The sign shall not exceed 0.2 m²
only involve one non-resident for each member of the household teaching or doing a
not permit commercial vehicles to be stored or parked on the property
be limited to a maximum of three clients on the premises at any one time
A home business shall be limited to a maximum floor area of 100.0 m2 and must be located and carried out wholly within the dwelling unit and not an accessory building.
Businesses not allowedA home business outside licensed crafts and teaching, residential registered or business offices, or child care programs (a home-based business is allowed in the City Centre only). Also not allowed: a home business with a community care facility, outdoor manufacturing, or selling stock in trade other than articles produced on the premises.Zoning Bylaw 8500, Section 5 Specific Use Regulations, s. 5.2.1 b), g), 5.2.3, 5.2.4 e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
not be located in conjunction with a minor or major community care facility
not manufacture materials or equipment outdoors
A home business licence may only be issued where the activities of the home business fall under one of the following categories
not display or sell stock in trade, excepting articles actually produced on the premises
BylawRichmond Zoning Bylaw No. 8500, Section 5.2 (Home Businesses and Home-Based Businesses); Business Licence Bylaw No. 7360Zoning Bylaw 8500, Section 5 Specific Use Regulations, s. 5.2; Business Licence Bylaw 7360, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Home Businesses and Home-Based Businesses
BUSINESS LICENCE BYLAW NO. 7360

How it works

In Richmond, a home business is a secondary use of a dwelling in most residential zones, agriculture and some commercial zones. Zoning Bylaw 8500 section 5.2 sets the rules. Home-based businesses (studios) are allowed in the City Centre only. They still need a City business licence, which has a fixed expiry date. A child care program that is a home business does not need a City licence.

Steps

  1. Read Appendix B and confirm your activity is an allowed type, and that your zone allows home businesses (Zoning, 604-276-4017).
  2. Apply in MyBusiness, or by mail or in person with the Business Licence Application Form.
  3. Ask Business Licences (604-276-4328) which category and fee apply.

Good to know

  • Only household members may work there (for crafts and teaching, one client per resident). Home-based studios allow at most three clients at a time.
  • No outdoor storage or manufacturing, nothing detectable off the property, and normal traffic only.
  • One unlit sign, at most 0.2 m² (0.1 m² in the City Centre).
  • In agricultural zones a home business is limited to 100 m², inside the dwelling.
  • Not allowed: a home business in conjunction with a community care facility, or selling stock in trade other than articles produced on the premises.
  • Child care programs take up to 8 children and need an outdoor child care space.
  • The bylaw sets no floor-area or employee limit in section 5.2.

What you'll need

  • Business Licence Application Form
  • Appendix B, Home Business Uses

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Burnaby · North Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta · District of North Vancouver · Belcarra

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw 8500, Section 5 Specific Use Regulations (PDF), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Appendix B, Home Business Uses (PDF), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Starting a Business in Richmond (PDF), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Business Licence Bylaw 7360 (PDF), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Zoning Bylaw 8500, Agriculture (AG1) zone (PDF), City of Richmond (read 2026-11-05)
  6. MyBusiness Portal, City of Richmond (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.