---
title: Slocan home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home in Slocan?"
place: Slocan, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/slocan
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Slocan
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/home-based-business.json"
---

# Slocan home-based business rules

**Question:** Can I run a business from my home in Slocan?

**Short answer:** Yes. Slocan allows home-based businesses in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential zones. You need a Category 2 business licence ($75 a year) and must meet limits such as 50% of the dwelling's floor area and one non-resident employee at most.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Slocan, https://www.slocancity.com)  
**Cost:** Category 2 business licence, $75 per annum (half after June 30).  
**How long:** The Village does not state a processing time.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 503 Slocan Street, PO Box 50, Slocan, BC V0G 2C0 (Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (confirm by phone))
- Phone: Village Office, 250-355-2277

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes, in the R-1, R-2 (single and two family, special residential) and R-3 (multi-family) residential zones.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), ss. 5.4.1(h), 5.5.1, 5.6.1(d)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/633-Zoning-Bylaw-2013-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb.-10-25.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Home Based Business;" … "Permitted Uses in the Single and Two Family Residential Zone (R-1)" … "Home Based Business."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Business licence:** Yes: Category 2 business licence, $75 per annum (half after June 30). Bed & Breakfast and vacation rental are Category 3, $100.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 584, Schedule I](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/584-Fees-and-Charges-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb-18-2026.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Business Licence Category 2 - Home-Based Business" … "the Zoning Bylaw (excluding Bed & Breakfast/Vacation" … "$75 per annum"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), s. 8(k)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The fee for a Home-Based Business Licence shall be that listed in the current Village"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits:** Floor area at most 50% of the dwelling; one non-resident employee at most; no outside change except one unlit sign up to 0.1 m²; only goods produced on the premises sold; no outdoor storage or display; no extra noise or traffic; 2 extra parking spaces. (Sources differ: The Zoning Bylaw says the work is done in 'a dwelling unit or accessory building'; Business Licence Bylaw 662 s. 8(a) says 'within the primary dwelling unit'. The bylaws differ, so the stricter reading may apply.)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.15(1)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/633-Zoning-Bylaw-2013-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb.-10-25.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall not exceed fifty per cent of the" … "no more than one person who is not a resident of the dwelling may be employed" … "no commodities may be offered for sale except those produced on the premises;" … "there shall be no external storage or outdoor display"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.21(4)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/633-Zoning-Bylaw-2013-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb.-10-25.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Multi-family residential building 1.5 per dwelling unit Home Based Business 2 for business Bed and Breakfast 1 per sleeping unit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Businesses not allowed:** Cannabis retail sales are prohibited as a home occupation. Selling goods not produced on the premises is not allowed.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.24(d)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/633-Zoning-Bylaw-2013-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb.-10-25.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Is prohibited as a home occupation."
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.15(1)(e)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/633-Zoning-Bylaw-2013-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb.-10-25.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no commodities may be offered for sale except those produced on the premises;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013, s. 4.15; Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018, s. 8.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.15](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/633-Zoning-Bylaw-2013-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb.-10-25.pdf)
  - Official wording: "4.15 Home Based Business"
  - Source: [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), s. 8](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
  - Official wording: "changes of the licence and collect any additional fees thereof. 8. HOME-BASED BUSINESS The following terms and conditions are to be given due consideration by the Licence" … "THE CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF SLOCAN CONSOLIDATED BYLAW NO. 662 (CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The Village of Slocan [Zoning Bylaw No. 633](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/633-Zoning-Bylaw-2013-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb.-10-25.pdf) (s. 4.15) allows home-based businesses in R-1, R-2 and R-3. They are not listed as a use in the commercial or industrial zones read. You also need a Category 2 business licence, $75 per annum, half if issued after June 30. In a rented home the landowner must authorize the tenant in writing ([Bylaw 662](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf) s. 8).

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone is R-1, R-2 or R-3.
2. Check the limits below.
3. Apply for a Category 2 licence at the Village Office.

## Good to know

- Limits: floor area at most 50% of the dwelling; one non-resident employee at most; no outside change except one unlit sign up to 0.1 m²; no outdoor storage or display; no extra noise or traffic; 2 extra parking spaces.
- Only goods produced on the premises may be sold. Cannabis retail sales are prohibited as a home occupation.
- The two bylaws differ on where the work may happen: the Zoning Bylaw says "a dwelling unit or accessory building", the Business Licence Bylaw says "within the primary dwelling unit". Confirm with the Village Office.
- Bed and breakfast and vacation rental are Category 3 ($100).

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 633 (PDF)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/633-Zoning-Bylaw-2013-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb.-10-25.pdf)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662 (PDF)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf)
- [Business Licences, Village of Slocan](https://www.slocancity.com/business-licences/)

## Related questions

- [Slocan business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/business-licence.md)
- [Slocan zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Slocan short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/short-term-rental.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business.md)
- [Silverton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/silverton/home-based-business.md)
- [New Denver](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-denver/home-based-business.md)
- [Nelson](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/home-based-business.md)
- [Kaslo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kaslo/home-based-business.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/home-based-business.md)
- [Nakusp](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nakusp/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/633-Zoning-Bylaw-2013-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb.-10-25.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/662-Business-License-Bylaw-2018-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-April-11-22.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 584, Schedule I (PDF)](http://www.slocancity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/584-Fees-and-Charges-CONSOLIDATED-Updated-Feb-18-2026.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Slocan. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/home-based-business/_