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Slocan home-based business rules

Can I run a business from my home in Slocan?

Slocan, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

Key facts

AllowedYes, in the R-1, R-2 (single and two family, special residential) and R-3 (multi-family) residential zones.Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), ss. 5.4.1(h), 5.5.1, 5.6.1(d) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Home Based Business;
Permitted Uses in the Single and Two Family Residential Zone (R-1)
Home Based Business.
Business licenceYes: Category 2 business licence, $75 per annum (half after June 30). Bed & Breakfast and vacation rental are Category 3, $100.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 584, Schedule I; Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), s. 8(k) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Business Licence Category 2 - Home-Based Business
the Zoning Bylaw (excluding Bed & Breakfast/Vacation
$75 per annum
The fee for a Home-Based Business Licence shall be that listed in the current Village
LimitsFloor 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.15(1); Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.21(4) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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
Multi-family residential building 1.5 per dwelling unit Home Based Business 2 for business Bed and Breakfast 1 per sleeping unit
Businesses not allowedCannabis retail sales are prohibited as a home occupation. Selling goods not produced on the premises is not allowed.Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.24(d); Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.15(1)(e) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Is prohibited as a home occupation.
no commodities may be offered for sale except those produced on the premises;
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013, s. 4.15; Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018, s. 8.Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025), s. 4.15; Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022), s. 8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
4.15 Home Based Business
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)

How it works

The Village of Slocan Zoning Bylaw No. 633 (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 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

The same question in other places

Silverton · New Denver · Nelson · Kaslo · Castlegar · Nakusp

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 633, 2013 (PDF, consolidated Feb. 10, 2025) (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Business Licence Bylaw No. 662, 2018 (PDF, consolidated April 11, 2022) (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 584, Schedule I (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. How answers are checked.