Sidney home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home?

Sidney, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

How it works

A home occupation is a conditional use under the Zoning Bylaw No. 2275. It is allowed in the Neighbourhood Residential zones (s. 4.2.2), Multi-Unit Residential zones (s. 4.3.2) and also in the commercial, industrial and marine zones and some CD zones, if the conditions are met. It must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the dwelling.

In Neighbourhood Residential zones the business must be wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building, only residents may work on site, and nothing may be detectable outside. There can be no retail sales or outdoor storage, only normal residential traffic and parking (two spaces per dwelling unit), and it may use up to 20% of floor area or 50 m² (15 m² in a suite). The Business Licence Bylaw No. 2119 allows the occupant's vehicle plus one business vehicle.

Steps

1. Check your zone (see the zoning-lookup answer) and the limits above.
2. Apply for a business licence (see the business-licence answer). Choose minor home occupation ($50) or home occupation ($100).
3. Renew each calendar year.

Good to know

• No display or retail sale of goods, wares or merchandise from the property, and no external storage.
• High-traffic home occupations are those that receive customers or clients, such as daycares, personal service, medical, dental, law and accounting offices. Multi-unit residential zones do not permit them. In Neighbourhood Residential zones they are allowed only within strict limits: one per dwelling unit, not on a property with more than two dwelling units, and no more than two clients at one time (daycares excepted).