{"title":"Terrace home-based business rules","question":"Can I run a business from my home?","slug":"home-based-business","place":{"path":"ca/bc/terrace","name":"Terrace","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"business","name":"Starting and running a business"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Terrace","url":"https://www.terrace.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, with a City of Terrace business licence. A Level 1 home occupation is allowed in all zones that allow residential buildings; Level 2 needs a parcel of at least 550 m² and Level 3 at least 2,700 m². The home-based business fee is $68 a year.","aliases":["home occupation terrace","work from home business licence","home based business rules"],"cost":"$68 a year for each home-based business classification (Business Licence Bylaw 2112, Table 5). Not refundable.","how_long":"Not stated on the City's page.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services","value":"250-615-4022"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building / Licensing clerk","value":"250-615-4000"},{"type":"online","label":"New business application (Civic Review)","value":"https://app.civicreview.com/application/626afd983c76f2ee6a64736d"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Development Services Fact Sheet DS-02, Home Occupations (PDF)","url":"https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/business-development/planning-document/Fact-Sheets/ds-02-fact-sheet-home-occupations.pdf"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2069, section 7.1 (PDF)","url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249"},{"title":"Business Licence Consolidated Bylaw 2112 (PDF)","url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3962"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-licence","title":"Terrace business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/business-licence/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Terrace short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/short-term-rental/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/kitimat","name":"Kitimat","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/new-hazelton","name":"New Hazelton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/new-hazelton/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/smithers","name":"Smithers","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/telkwa","name":"Telkwa","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hazelton","name":"Hazelton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hazelton/home-based-business/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-edward","name":"Port Edward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/home-based-business/"}],"topic":{"title":"Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/home-based-business/"},"facts":{"allowed":{"label":"Allowed","value":"Yes, with a business licence. A Level 1 home occupation is allowed in all zones that allow residential buildings; Level 2 needs a parcel of at least 550 m²; Level 3 at least 2,700 m². Each zone lists the levels it allows (R1: Level 1 or 2; AR1, AR2, RS1: Levels 1 to 3; R3: Level 1).","short":"Yes, with a licence; Level 1 in all residential zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw 2069-2014 (PDF), section 7.1 Home Occupation, City of Terrace","section":"s. 7.1.8-7.1.10; zone use lists","quotes":["A Level 1 home occupation is permitted within all zones that allow residential","A Level 2 home occupation is permitted on parcels with a minimum size of 550","A Level 3 home occupation is permitted only on parcels with a minimum parcel","• Home Occupation – • Home Occupation – • Home Occupation – Level 1 or 2 Level 1 or 2 Level 1 or 2","Home Occupation – Level 1, 2 or 3","Secondary Uses • Home Occupation – Level 1"]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/business-development/planning-document/Fact-Sheets/ds-02-fact-sheet-home-occupations.pdf","title":"Fact Sheet DS-02 Home Occupations (PDF), City of Terrace","section":"Chart","quotes":["Please consult the Zoning Bylaw for regulations specific to your proposed home-based business."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"licence":{"label":"Business licence","value":"Yes. All home occupations require a City business licence. Home-based business fee: $68 a year for each classification (not refundable). The licence runs January 1 to December 31 and must be renewed each year.","short":"Yes: $68 a year","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw 2069-2014 (PDF), section 7.1 Home Occupation, City of Terrace","section":"s. 7.1.5","quotes":["All home occupations require a City of Terrace Business License."]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3962","title":"Business Licence Consolidated Bylaw 2112-2016 (PDF), City of Terrace","section":"Schedule A, Table 5; s. 14.1, 5.2, 5.4","quotes":["A fee of $68.00 for each classification of business that is classified as a home","Every person carrying on a business as a home occupation in the City of","No business licence fee or part thereof paid hereunder shall be refundable."]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, City of Terrace","section":"Licence Fast Facts","quotes":["Valid from January 1 to December 31","Cost depends on type of business and start at $68"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Level 1: 30% of floor area, no outside storage, no client visits, household members only. Level 2: 30% of floor area or 90 m², 1 non-resident employee, 2 clients at a time, 1 extra parking space. Level 3: 200 m² with screened outdoor storage, 2 non-resident employees, 5 clients, 1 extra space. Signs follow the Sign Bylaw.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw 2069-2014 (PDF), section 7.1 Home Occupation, City of Terrace","section":"s. 7.1.8, 7.1.9, 7.1.10","quotes":["The total area of a Level 1 home occupation may not exceed 30% of the gross","A Level 1 home occupation shall generate no client visits to the property.","b. The total area of a Level 2 home occupation may not exceed 30% of the gross","floor area or 90 m2 of the principal building, whichever is less.","and may employ no more than one non-resident employee.","per day and no more than two client visits to the parcel at any given time.","One additional off-street parking space is required for a Level 2 home","may not exceed 200 m2.","will employ no more than two non-resident employees.","Level 3 home occupations shall not generate more than five client visits to the","f. One additional off-street parking space is required for a Level 3 home","Signs advertising a home occupation are subject to the City of Terrace Sign Bylaw."]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/business-development/planning-document/Fact-Sheets/ds-02-fact-sheet-home-occupations.pdf","title":"Fact Sheet DS-02 Home Occupations (PDF), City of Terrace","section":"Chart","quotes":["0 1 2 (Non-Resident) Max. 20 visits/day On-Site Clients Permitted No Max. 5 clients at any given time Max. 2 clients at any given time"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"not_allowed":{"label":"Businesses not allowed","value":"The bylaw has no list of banned business types; it lists examples for each level. A trade contractor as a Level 3 home occupation is limited to AR1 and AR2 parcels. No home occupation may produce offensive noise, vibration, traffic, smoke, dust, odour, heat, glare or electrical or radio disturbance.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw 2069-2014 (PDF), section 7.1 Home Occupation, City of Terrace","section":"s. 7.1.3, 7.1.11","quotes":["No offensive noise, vibration, traffic, smoke, dust, odour, heat, glare, electrical or","radio disturbance shall be produced by a home occupation.","shall be limited to parcels zoned AR1 or AR2, subject to the following regulations:"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2069-2014, s. 7.1 (Home Occupation); Business Licence Bylaw No. 2112-2016, s. 14.0 and Schedule A","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw 2069-2014 (PDF), section 7.1 Home Occupation, City of Terrace","section":"s. 7.1","quotes":["7.1 Home Occupation","City of Terrace Zoning Bylaw No. 2069 - 2014"]},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3962","title":"Business Licence Consolidated Bylaw 2112-2016 (PDF), City of Terrace","section":"Title page, s. 14","quotes":["BYLAW NO. 2112-2016/ 2129-2017/ 2135-2017/","14.0 HOME OCCUPATIONS"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":5,"stated":5,"matched":5,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\n[Zoning Bylaw 2069](https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249) s. 7.1 allows home occupations in three levels. A home occupation must be secondary to residential use and wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building. Each zone lists the levels it allows (R1: Level 1 or 2; AR1, AR2 and RS1: Levels 1 to 3; R3: Level 1).\n\n| | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |\n|---|---|---|---|\n| Minimum parcel | any | 550 m² | 2,700 m² |\n| Size | 30% of floor area | 30% of floor area or 90 m² | 200 m² with screened outdoor storage |\n| Non-resident employees | none | 1 | 2 |\n| Clients | no visits | 2 at a time | 5 at a time |\n| Extra parking | none | 1 space | 1 space |\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone on TerraMap or with Development Services (250-615-4022).\n2. Apply for a business licence online through the City's Business Licences page.\n3. Pay the fee. The licence runs January 1 to December 31 and must be renewed each year.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A dwelling unit may have at most two licensed home occupations, and only one can be Level 2 or 3. Tenants can get a licence if the bylaw rules are met. A home inspection may be required.\n- Level 1: no outside storage. Level 3 trade contractors are allowed in AR1 and AR2 only.\n- No home occupation may cause offensive noise, vibration, traffic, smoke, dust, odour, heat, glare or electrical or radio disturbance.\n- A secondary suite is not allowed with a Level 2 or 3 home occupation unless the parcel is at least 650 m².\n- Signs advertising a home occupation follow the Sign Bylaw (Zoning s. 7.1.7).","sources":[{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/4249","title":"Zoning Consolidated Bylaw 2069-2014 (PDF), section 7.1 Home Occupation, City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/business-development/planning-document/Fact-Sheets/ds-02-fact-sheet-home-occupations.pdf","title":"Fact Sheet DS-02 Home Occupations (PDF), City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/media/3962","title":"Business Licence Consolidated Bylaw 2112-2016 (PDF), City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.terrace.ca/business-development/business-licences","title":"Business Licences, City of Terrace","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 5 of 5 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/home-based-business/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/home-based-business.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/home-based-business.json"}}