---
title: Smithers home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home?"
place: Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/smithers
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: Town of Smithers
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/home-based-business.json"
---

# Smithers home-based business rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In Smithers a home occupation is allowed in a residential dwelling, inside the dwelling or a permitted auxiliary building, using no more than 40% of the dwelling's floor area. It needs a Town business licence (Home Occupation, $165 a year).

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Smithers, https://www.smithers.ca)  
**Cost:** Home Occupation licence (class 1000): $165 a year (Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Schedule J). Older Town pages show $160. An additional business is an Auxiliary Business licence at $55 a year.  
**How long:** The Town does not state a time for home occupation licences. Call Development Services at 250-847-1600.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Development Services, 250-847-1600 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- In person: Town Hall, 1027 Aldous Street, Smithers, BC

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes. Home occupations are permitted in all residential dwellings, on a parcel with a dwelling unit, entirely inside the dwelling or a permitted auxiliary building, using no more than 40% of the dwelling unit's total floor area (including basements and cellars).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.1, s. 2.1.1, 2.1.2](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/)
  - Official wording: "Home occupations are permitted in all residential dwellings." … "not more than 40% of the total floor area (including basements and cellars) of the dwelling unit is occupied by the home" … "On a parcel of land containing one or more dwelling units; and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. A business licence is required for home-based businesses. Class 1000, Home Occupation: $165 per year. It is issued only when the Zoning Bylaw s. 2.1 requirements are met. (Sources differ: Conflict between sources: Schedule A of Business License Bylaw No. 1850 (consolidated Jan. 3, 2025) and the Town's Business License Application Guide show $160 (the guide says fees range from $160 to $1,000); Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003 Schedule J, which s. 7.1 of Bylaw 1850 makes the source of fees, and the Town's September 2026 fee guide show $165 (range $165 to $1,030). Bylaw 2003 is followed.)
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Business License Application Guide page](https://www.smithers.ca/business-building/licences-permits-signage/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "This includes businesses that are located out of town, but operate within Town boundaries and home based businesses."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Schedule J, Schedule J, class 1000](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/278063/)
  - Official wording: "1000 Home Occupation $165.00 / year"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.1, s. 2.1.5](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/)
  - Official wording: "Home occupation Business Licenses will only be issued and approved by the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** Max 40% of the dwelling's floor area. No outdoor storage; no employees who do not live in the dwelling; only sell goods directly related to the home occupation; signs only as the Sign Bylaw allows; no noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odour, litter, heat, fire hazard, interference or street traffic congestion beyond what a dwelling normally has. Parking: 1 space only if clients visit.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.1, s. 2.1.3; Table 2.10.2](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/)
  - Official wording: "Store outside of a building any materials, containers or products related to the" … "Employ a person who does not reside in the dwelling with which the home" … "Sell goods except those goods directly related to the class of the home" … "Home occupation 1 per home occupation, where clients visit the site,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses not allowed:** Not allowed: a commercial stable, kennel, restaurant or convenience store; service or repair of small engines, automotive, farm, heavy or marine equipment; parking industrial or construction equipment or materials; manufacturing, welding or any other light industrial use.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.1, s. 2.1.3(b), (f)](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/)
  - Official wording: "Include a commercial stable, kennel, restaurant, convenience store, service or" … "Involve manufacturing, welding, or any other light industrial use; and"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.1 (Home Occupations); Business License Bylaw No. 1850; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Schedule J.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.1](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/)
  - Official wording: "Section 2.1 Home Occupations 2.1.1 Home occupations are permitted in all residential dwellings."
  - Source: [https://www.smithers.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/BL%201850%20BUSINESS%20LICENSE%20%28Consolidation%20January%203%202025%29.pdf, Title](https://www.smithers.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/BL%201850%20BUSINESS%20LICENSE%20%28Consolidation%20January%203%202025%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "BYLAW NO. 1850 BUSINESS LICENSE"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under section 2.1 of the [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/), a home occupation is permitted in all residential dwellings, on a parcel with a dwelling unit, entirely inside the dwelling or a permitted auxiliary building. It may use up to 40% of the dwelling unit's total floor area, including basements and cellars. It must also meet all municipal bylaws and the BC Building Code.

Limits:

- No outdoor storage.
- No employees who do not live in the dwelling.
- Only sell goods directly related to the home occupation.
- Signs only as the Sign Bylaw allows.
- No noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odour, litter, heat, fire hazard, interference or street traffic congestion beyond what a dwelling normally has.
- Parking: 1 space, only if clients visit.

Not allowed: a commercial stable, kennel, restaurant or convenience store; service or repair of small engines, automotive, farm, heavy or marine equipment; parking industrial or construction equipment or materials; manufacturing, welding or any other light industrial use.

## Steps

1. Check that your zoning allows it (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Apply for a Town business licence. It is issued only when the Zoning Bylaw s. 2.1 requirements are met.
3. Pay the $165 annual fee once approved.

## Good to know

- The Town's earlier guide and Bylaw 1850 show $160. The current Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003 shows $165; confirm at 250-847-1600.
- Bed and breakfast and short-term rental operations follow Zoning s. 2.2 and 2.3 instead (see the short-term-rental answer).
- Breaking the home occupation rules can bring a bylaw notice. The Penalty amount is $300; check the amount on your notice.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licensing, Town of Smithers](https://www.smithers.ca/business-building/licences-permits-signage/business-licensing)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/)

## Related questions

- [Smithers business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/business-licence.md)
- [Smithers zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Smithers short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/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)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/home-based-business.md)
- [Houston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/home-based-business.md)
- [New Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/home-based-business.md)
- [Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/home-based-business.md)
- [Granisle](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/granisle/home-based-business.md)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1987, s. 2.1, Town of Smithers](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/265053/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Business Licensing, Town of Smithers](https://www.smithers.ca/business-building/licences-permits-signage/business-licensing) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2003, Schedule J, Town of Smithers](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/278063/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2011, Town of Smithers](https://smithers.civicweb.net/document/290948/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [https://www.smithers.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/BL%201850%20BUSINESS%20LICENSE%20%28Consolidation%20January%203%202025%29.pdf](https://www.smithers.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/BL%201850%20BUSINESS%20LICENSE%20%28Consolidation%20January%203%202025%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 Town of Smithers. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/home-based-business/_