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

# Stewart home-based business rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In Stewart a home occupation is allowed in the R1, R2 and MHP zones if you live there and follow the zoning limits. You also need a business licence, using the Home Based Business option on the District's application form.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Stewart, https://districtofstewart.com)  
**Cost:** Business licence fees vary by type of business; see the business-licence answer.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- In person: District office, 705 Brightwell Street, Stewart, BC (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: District office, 250-636-2251
- Email: Business licence applications, info@districtofstewart.com

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes. Home occupation is a permitted use in the R1, R2 and MHP zones.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 881, 2014, s. 5.1, 6.1, 8.1](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/928/)
  - Official wording: "The following uses and no others are permitted in the MHP zone:" … "Home occupation; and"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 881, 2014, s. 5.1 (R1)](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/928/)
  - Official wording: "8.1. The following uses and no others are permitted in the MHP zone: .1 Manufactured home park; .2 Mobile homes; .3 Home occupation; and .4 Accessory building. Regulations 8.2. On a parcel located in an area zoned as MHP, no building or structure shall be constructed,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Business licence:** The Business Licence Application has a 'Home Based Business' option and asks the applicant to read and sign the Zoning Bylaw excerpt; the District looks closely at what business will be run in a home.
  - Source: [Business Licence Amending Bylaw No. 927, 2018 and application form, Application form](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/4682/)
  - Official wording: "New Licence C] Non-Resident[:] Mobile Business [:3 Home Based Business D Change of Owner or Address C]"
  - Source: [Business Licensing, Business Licensing page](https://districtofstewart.com/business-resources/business-licensing)
  - Official wording: "This includes a business that is being conducted in a home."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits:** Only a resident of the dwelling may operate it. It must be wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building with no external storage. Only one wall-mounted sign up to 0.36 m². No operating between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Customers should not exceed 10 a day.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 881, 2014, s. 3.47 to 3.52](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/928/)
  - Official wording: "A home occupation shall only be operated by a resident of the dwelling unit in which the home" … "shall involve no external storage of materials, containers or finished products." … "not exceeding 0.36 square metres." … "No home occupation shall be conducted between the hours of 10:00 pm and 8:00 am." … "should not exceed 10 visitors or customers per day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Businesses not allowed:** Not permitted: offensive noise, vibration, traffic, smoke, dust, odour, glare, heat or electrical interference; exterior alterations out of keeping with a residential area; flammable explosive vapours or gases; bulk deliveries by commercial vehicles or trailers; customer traffic beyond what is customary in a residential area.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 881, 2014, s. 3.48](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/928/)
  - Official wording: "A home occupation is not permitted that:" … "Produces any offensive noise, vibration, traffic, smoke, dust, odour, glare, heat or" … "Utilizes materials or processes that produce flammable explosive vapours or gases under" … "Requires the delivery or removal of materials or products in bulk by commercial vehicles or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 881, 2014 (home occupations, s. 3.46 to 3.52)
  - Source: [Building Permits | District of Stewart, Building Permits page](https://districtofstewart.com/business-resources/developing-in-the-district/building-permits)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw 881, 2014"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

[Zoning Bylaw No. 881](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/928/) allows a home occupation in the R1, R2 and MHP zones. The [Business Licence Application](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/4682/) has a "Home Based Business" option and asks you to read and sign the zoning bylaw excerpt. The District looks closely at what business will be run in a home.

Limits:

- Only a resident of the dwelling may operate it.
- It must be wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building, with no external storage.
- One wall-mounted sign only, up to 0.36 m².
- No operating between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
- Customers should not exceed 10 a day.

Not permitted: offensive noise, vibration, traffic, smoke, dust, odour, glare, heat or electrical interference; exterior alterations out of keeping with a residential area; flammable or explosive vapours or gases; bulk deliveries by commercial vehicles or trailers; and customer traffic beyond what is customary in a residential area.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone is R1, R2 or MHP (see zoning-lookup).
2. Fill in the Business Licence Application and choose "Home Based Business".
3. Send it to info@districtofstewart.com or deliver it to 705 Brightwell Street, as the business-licence answer describes.

## Good to know

- Licence fees vary by type of business; see the business-licence answer.
- Home occupation is not listed in other zones in the rules we read; ask the District.

## Official forms and pages

- [Business Licensing, District of Stewart](https://districtofstewart.com/business-resources/business-licensing)
- [Business Licence Amending Bylaw No. 927, 2018 and application form (PDF)](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/4682/)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 881, 2014 (PDF)](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/928/)

## Related questions

- [Stewart business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/stewart/business-licence.md)
- [Stewart zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/stewart/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Stewart short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/stewart/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)
- [Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/home-based-business.md)
- [New Hazelton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/home-based-business.md)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/home-based-business.md)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/home-based-business.md)
- [Port Edward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/home-based-business.md)
- [Smithers](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 881, 2014 (PDF)](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/928/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licence Amending Bylaw No. 927, 2018 and application form (PDF)](https://districtofstewart.civicweb.net/document/4682/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licensing, District of Stewart](https://districtofstewart.com/business-resources/business-licensing) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Building Permits | District of Stewart](https://districtofstewart.com/business-resources/developing-in-the-district/building-permits) (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 District of Stewart. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/stewart/home-based-business/_