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

# Valemount home-based business rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In Valemount a Minor home-based business is allowed in all residential and mixed-use zones, and a Major one where the zone lists it (ENV, RR1, R1 and R2). You need a Village business licence; the home occupation licence is $50 a year.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Valemount, https://valemount.ca)  
**Cost:** Home occupation business licence: $50 a year (the regular business licence is $100).  
**How long:** Not stated. A Major home business needs a fire inspection before the licence is issued.  
**Where:**
- Email: Business licensing (Corporate Officer), corporate@valemount.ca
- Email: Land Use Planner (zoning), planner@valemount.ca
- Phone: Village Office, 250.566.4435

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes. A Home-Based Business 1 (Minor) is allowed in all residential and mixed-use zones. A Home-Based Business 2 (Major) is allowed where the zone lists it; the ENV, RR1, R1 and R2 zones list it as an accessory use.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, sections 2.2 to 2.4, s. 2.2 to 2.4](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/98099/)
  - Official wording: "Zones where it is allowed All residential and mixed-use zones" … "Zones where it is allowed As identified in the Zones" … "Home Based Business 2 – Major 3"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Business licence:** Yes. Home-based businesses must obtain a business licence from the Village. Home occupation licence: $50 a year. A Major home business needs a fire inspection before the licence is issued.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, sections 2.2 to 2.4, s. 2.3 and 2.4(viii)](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/98099/)
  - Official wording: "Home-Based Businesses shall obtain the appropriate Business License from the Village." … "A Fire Inspection is required to be completed prior to issuance of a Business License."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 869, 2023, Schedule A (Business License Bylaw s. 5.2)](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/96759/)
  - Official wording: "Home Occupation $50.00 Short Term Vacation Rental - Minor $100.00 Short Term Vacation Rental - Major $150.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Limits:** Minor: up to 25% of the dwelling's floor area, 1 non-resident employee, clients averaging fewer than 5 visits a day, one unlit sign up to 0.56 m², outdoor storage screened. Major: up to 40% of floor area, 3 non-resident employees, daily clients, 1 parking space, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., screened outdoor storage.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, sections 2.2 to 2.4, s. 2.3 and 2.4](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/98099/)
  - Official wording: "Must not exceed 25% of floor area of principal dwelling" … "Maximum Non-Resident Employees 1" … "non-illuminated / non-electronic sign not exceeding 0.56m2 (6 ft2) in total area" … "The maximum indoor floor area of Buildings and Structures used for the purpose of the Home-Based Business2 – Major shall be 40% of the total floor area used for the principal residential use on the parcel." … "A maximum of three (3) non-resident employees may work at the residence." … "The business may operate between the hours of 7:00AM and 9:00PM."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Businesses not allowed:** No list of banned business types. Offsite catering is not a home occupation. No home business may discharge odour, noxious matter, heat, glare, noise, radiation or vibration, or cause traffic congestion, electrical interference or fire hazards.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, sections 2.2 to 2.4, s. 2.4 Table 2; s. 2.3(f)](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/98099/)
  - Official wording: "(Offsite catering is not a home occupation)" … "not discharge or emit odorous, noxious or toxic matter or vapours, heat, glare, noise,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Village of Valemount Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, sections 2.2 to 2.4 (as amended by Bylaw No. 907); Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 805, 2019
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021, sections 2.2 to 2.4, Notes](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/98099/)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021 was adopted by the Village of Valemount Council on August 24, 2021 and became effective on that date."
  - Source: [Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 805, 2019, s. 1.1](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/49826/)
  - Official wording: "Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 805, 2019"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The Village of Valemount's [Zoning Bylaw No. 847](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/98099/) (sections 2.2 to 2.4) allows a Home-Based Business 1 (Minor) in all residential and mixed-use zones. A Home-Based Business 2 (Major) is allowed where the zone lists it: the ENV, RR1, R1 and R2 zones list it as an accessory use, and so do C1 to C3. The R3 and MHP zones list only Minor. A home business must have a Village business licence under the [Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 805](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/49826/).

## Steps

1. Check your zone with the Land Use Planner and whether Minor or Major fits.
2. Fill in the Regular Business Licence form and submit it to the Village (see business-licence).
3. Pass a fire inspection first if the business is Major.
4. If the business is in an accessory dwelling unit, get the owner's permission.

## Good to know

- **Minor:** up to 25% of the dwelling's floor area, 1 non-resident employee, clients averaging fewer than 5 visits a day, one unlit sign up to 0.56 m², and screened outdoor storage.
- **Major:** up to 40% of floor area, 3 non-resident employees, daily clients, 1 parking space, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and screened outdoor storage.
- No home business may cause odour, noxious matter, heat, glare, noise, radiation or vibration, traffic congestion, electrical interference or fire hazards. Offsite catering is not a home occupation.
- Personal services (hair, massage, aesthetics, music lessons) and catering with on-site commercial kitchen preparation are allowed as Major, with provincial approvals and a floor plan.

## Official forms and pages

- [Regular Business Licence Application Form (PDF)](https://valemount.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Business-Licence-Application-Form.pdf)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021 (PDF)](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/98099/)

## Related questions

- [Valemount business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/valemount/business-licence.md)
- [Valemount short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/valemount/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)
- [McBride](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mcbride/home-based-business.md)
- [Clearwater](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/home-based-business.md)
- [Wells](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/wells/home-based-business.md)
- [100 Mile House](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/home-based-business.md)
- [Barriere](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/barriere/home-based-business.md)
- [Williams Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 847, 2021 (PDF), sections 2.2 to 2.4, Village of Valemount](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/98099/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 805, 2019 (PDF), Village of Valemount](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/49826/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 869, 2023 (PDF), Village of Valemount](https://valemount.civicweb.net/document/96759/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Business Licensing, Village of Valemount](https://valemount.ca/business/business-licensing/) (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 Village of Valemount. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/valemount/home-based-business/_