View Royal home-based business rules
Can I run a business from my home?
Short answer
Yes, in the Town of View Royal, if your zone allows a home occupation, your business fits one of three levels in the Zoning Bylaw, and you hold a Town business licence ($100 a year; home crafts sold online or offsite $50). Level 1 is the smallest; levels 2 and 3 allow more space, clients and staff.
Key facts
| Allowed | Yes, as a home occupation (accessory use) in the A, R, RT and RM zones, in C-1, and in C-4 and C-7 within a dwelling unit only, and in most CD zones. Only one of three levels is allowed per dwelling unit; Levels 2 and 3 need a detached dwelling.Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.2 and 4.3), ss. 4.2.1, 4.2.2; zone tables; Business Licences, Home Occupation Business Licences · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingAccessory Uses a) Home Occupation b) Secondary Suite c) Garden Suite, subject to Schedule D only one of the following three levels of home be accessory to the principal use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes. Accessory Uses a) Home Occupation within a residential dwelling unit only only one of the following three levels of home occupation is permitted within a dwelling unit Review your zoning and the Home Occupation sections of the the Zoning Bylaw for business types and activity that are permitted at residential locations. |
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| Business licence | Yes. Home occupations need a business licence at $100 a year; home crafts sold online or offsite $50. A B&B is $100. A business that becomes liable after June 30 pays half.Business Licences, Business Licence Types; Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026, Schedule A, Development Services - Business Licence; Business License and Regulation Bylaw 952, s. 15(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingA valid business licence is required for all businesses operating in View Royal. Businesses providing services or products from within their home (account, daycare, esthetics, online sales) are required to apply for a Home Occupation business licence. Personal Preference Attached Residential attached residential unit Home Crafts $50.00 Home Occupation $100.00 As per Bylaw No. 952 Non-resident $100.00 unit Home Crafts $50.00 Home Occupation $100.00 As per Bylaw No. 952 Non-resident $100.00 Less than 464 m2 (5,000 ft2). The license fee prescribed in this bylaw shall be reduced by one-half in respect of a business that becomes liable to be licensed after the thirtieth day of June in |
| Limits | Level 1: 20% of floor area (max 37 m²), residents only, one client a day, no sign. Level 2: detached home, 40% (max 74 m²), residents only, two clients at once, no sign, one extra parking space. Level 3: lot 1,000 m² or more, 40% (max 93 m²), one non-resident employee, five clients, sign allowed, two extra spaces. No outdoor storage.Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.2 and 4.3), ss. 4.2.1, 4.2.3-4.2.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingmust not occupy more than 20% of the floor area of the dwelling to a maximum of 37m2. must not occupy more than 40% of the floor area of the dwelling unit to a maximum of 74m2. of 93m2. For clarity, a Level 3 home occupation is not permitted in a residential The minimum lot size of a Level 3 Home Occupation is 1,000m2. A maximum of one non-resident employee is permitted to be engaged in the level 3 not generate more than five client or customer One additional off-street parking space is required to be provided for the Level 2 two additional off-street parking spaces are required to be provided be carried on with no exterior indication of the home occupation as a result of outdoor storage, the display of goods or services or lighting |
| Businesses not allowed | Prohibited as a home occupation: combustion engine servicing and repair, clubs, kennels, radio dispatch needing on-lot commercial vehicles, restaurants, retail stores, salvage and recycling lots, storage lots, medical clinics, pharmacies, cafes, breweries, distilleries, campgrounds, and vacation rentals or Airbnb (B&B excepted as Level 3).Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.2 and 4.3), s. 4.2.1(m) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingThe following uses are specifically prohibited as a home occupation: i) Combustion engine servicing and repair; v) Restaurants; vi) Retail Stores; xv) Vacation rentals, AirBNB and any other form of non-residential commercial |
| Bylaw | Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, ss. 4.2 (home occupation) and 4.3 (bed and breakfast); Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952, 2016Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.2 and 4.3), ss. 4.2, 4.3; Business License and Regulation Bylaw 952, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingZONING BYLAW NO. 900, 2014 4.2 HOME OCCUPATION Business License and Regulation Bylaw No. 952, 2016 |
How it works
The Town of View Royal allows a home occupation as an accessory use in the A, R, RT and RM zones, in C-1, in C-4 and C-7 (within a dwelling unit only), and in most CD zones. Only one of three levels is allowed per dwelling unit, and Levels 2 and 3 need a detached home. A use not listed as permitted in a zone is prohibited.
All levels must be carried out wholly inside the dwelling or an accessory building, with no outdoor storage or display of goods, no noise, smoke, dust, odour or glare, no more than one commercial delivery a week, and no change to the home's look. No goods may be sold that are not made on the lot.
- Level 1: up to 20% of the floor area (max 37 m2); residents only; one client a day; no sign. Uses include artist studio, home crafts, office, photographer, web designer, writer.
- Level 2: detached home; up to 40% (max 74 m2); residents only; two clients at once; no sign; one extra parking space. Adds personal and professional services, tutoring (2 people), small equipment repair, massage therapist, acupuncturist.
- Level 3: lot of 1,000 m2 or more; up to 40% (max 93 m2); one non-resident employee; five clients; sign allowed; two extra parking spaces. Adds bed and breakfast, tutoring (5 people), counselling. A secondary suite or garden suite is not permitted on the same lot.
Steps
- Check your zone on the Zoning Map and read section 4.2 of the Zoning Bylaw.
- Apply for a Home Occupation (or Home Crafts, or Bed & Breakfast) business licence using the Business Licence Application Form.
Good to know
- Prohibited as home occupations: combustion engine servicing and repair, clubs, kennels, radio dispatch needing on-lot commercial vehicles, restaurants, retail stores, salvage and recycling lots, storage lots, medical clinics, pharmacies, cafes, breweries, distilleries, campgrounds, and vacation rentals or Airbnb (a B&B is allowed as a Level 3 home occupation).
- Not allowed on a lot with a small or large daycare or a facility licensed under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act.
- No separate licence is issued for a secondary suite itself.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Esquimalt · Colwood · Victoria · Langford · Saanich · Highlands
Home-based business rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Business Licences, Town of View Royal (read 2026-11-05)
- Zoning Bylaw No. 900, consolidated to June 2026 (PDF; sections 4.2 and 4.3) (read 2026-11-05)
- Annual Business Licence Fees, Town of View Royal (read 2026-11-05)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw 958, consolidated to September 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
- Business License and Regulation Bylaw 952 (PDF) (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. How answers are checked.