---
title: Surrey home-based business rules
question: "Can I run a business from my home?"
place: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/surrey
category: Starting and running a business
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Surrey
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/home-based-business/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/home-based-business.json"
---

# Surrey home-based business rules

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

**Short answer:** Usually yes. The City of Surrey allows most businesses to run from home if they follow the zoning rules and hold a City business licence. Social escort services, automotive service uses and tow truck operations are not allowed at home. Rules differ for houses and duplexes versus apartments and townhouses.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Surrey, https://www.surrey.ca)  
**Cost:** Set by business category in Schedule A of Bylaw 13680 (for example Consultant $269 per year plus $37 per employee). An online application costs $50, credited to the first year's fee.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Business Licensing, 604-591-4370
- Online: Online Business Licensing Application Portal, https://mbo.surrey.ca/obl/

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes. The City allows most businesses to be run from home if the zoning rules are followed. Type I home occupations are allowed in any zone permitting a single family dwelling or duplex; Type II (telephone and records only) in any zone permitting a dwelling unit.
  - Source: [Home-Based Business Regulations](https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses/home-based-business-regulations)
  - Official wording: "The City of Surrey allows most businesses to be operated from home, provided that the zoning regulations for home-based businesses are followed."
  - Source: [Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000, Part 4 Section B.11, Part 4, s. B.11](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000)
  - Official wording: "Type I Home Occupations are permitted in any Zone permitting either a single" … "Type II Home Occupations are permitted in any Zone permitting a dwelling unit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. A Surrey business licence is required; fees are set by business category in Schedule A of the Business License Bylaw (for example Consultant $269 per year plus $37 per employee). An online application costs $50, credited to the first year's fee. An officer may inspect.
  - Source: [Types of Businesses, Home-based business](https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses)
  - Official wording: "If you are starting a new home-based business in Surrey, follow these steps to receive your business licence:" … "an inspection by a Bylaw Services Officer may take place to ensure your business is in compliance with the Home-Based Business Regulations."
  - Source: [Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680, Schedule "A"; s. 14.1](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680)
  - Official wording: "Consultant $269.00 per year (plus $37.00 per employee)" … "An application made online must be accompanied by payment of an application fee of $50.00."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** Single family or duplex: only immediate family living there may be employed; no goods displayed or sold; no change to the dwelling; at most 25% of one floor; no visible storage or illuminated signs. Apartments and townhouses: telephone and records only, no goods, no signs, no vehicle or equipment storage on or near the lot.
  - Source: [Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000, Part 4 Section B.11, Part 4, s. B.11(a)](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000)
  - Official wording: "No person other than a member of the immediate family occupying the" … "No goods are displayed or sold on the premises;" … "The aggregate floor area of all home occupations shall not exceed 25% of" … "No evidence of the home occupation including storage of materials or" … "The use of the premises for a home occupation shall be confined to the incidental use of a telephone and records pertaining directly to that business;" … "No goods are to be displayed, stored or sold on the premises;" … "No signs are displayed on the premises;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses not allowed:** Social escort services, automotive service uses and tow truck operations.
  - Source: [Home-Based Business Regulations](https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses/home-based-business-regulations)
  - Official wording: "Businesses that are not permitted from home are:" … "social escort agencies"
  - Source: [Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000, Part 4 Section B.11, Part 1, definition of Home Occupation](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000)
  - Official wording: "but shall exclude social escort services, automotive service uses and tow truck operations."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000 (Part 4, s. B.11 Home Occupations); Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680
  - Source: [Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000, Part 4 Section B.11, Part 4, s. B.11](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000)
  - Official wording: "Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000" … "Home Occupations:"
  - Source: [Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680, s. 1](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680)
  - Official wording: "This By-law may be cited for all purposes as "Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680.""
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The City of Surrey allows most businesses to be run from home if [Zoning Bylaw 12000](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000) (Part 4, s. B.11) is followed. Type I home occupations are allowed in any zone permitting a single family dwelling or duplex; Type II (telephone and records only) in any zone permitting a dwelling unit. You also need a Surrey business licence under [Business License Bylaw 13680](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680), and an officer may inspect.

## Steps

1. Read the City's home-based business regulations and confirm your business is allowed.
2. Call Business Licensing (604-591-4370) to confirm your fee category and any extra requirements.
3. Apply through the Online Business Licensing Application Portal.

## Good to know

- Single family homes and duplexes: only immediate family living there may be employed; no goods displayed or sold; no change to the dwelling; at most 25% of one floor; no visible storage or illuminated signs.
- Apartments, townhouses and condos: use is limited to a telephone and records; no goods, no signs, and no vehicle or equipment storage on or near the lot. Renters need the landlord's permission.
- Not allowed at home, per the City page: social escort services, automotive service uses and tow truck operations.
- Selling or displaying goods, or storing things outside, is a municipal ticket offence at $200 each.
- The bylaw does not state limits on customer visits or parking. Ask Business Licensing if this matters for your business.

## Official forms and pages

- [Home-Based Business Regulations](https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses/home-based-business-regulations)
- [Surrey Zoning By-law 12000](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000)
- [Surrey Business License By-law 13680](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680)

## Related questions

- [Surrey business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/business-licence.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business.md)
- [Langley City](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/home-based-business.md)
- [White Rock](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/white-rock/home-based-business.md)
- [New Westminster](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-westminster/home-based-business.md)
- [Port Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-coquitlam/home-based-business.md)
- [Township of Langley](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/home-based-business.md)
- [Coquitlam](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coquitlam/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Surrey Zoning By-law, 1993, No. 12000, Part 4 Section B.11](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/12000) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Surrey Business License By-law, 1999, No. 13680](https://www.surrey.ca/city-government/bylaws/13680) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Home-Based Business Regulations, City of Surrey](https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses/home-based-business-regulations) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Types of Businesses, City of Surrey](https://www.surrey.ca/business-economy/business-licensing/types-of-businesses) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Surrey. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/surrey/home-based-business/_