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

# Williams Lake home-based business rules

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

**Short answer:** Yes. In Williams Lake a resident can run a home-based business in zones R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and RR-1 under the Zoning Bylaw rules, such as using no more than 25 per cent of the floor area. Every home-based business must also hold a City business licence.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Williams Lake, https://www.williamslake.ca)  
**Cost:** There is no separate home-based fee; the licence fee follows your business category (for example $100 for business services, $120 for small retail).  
**Where:**
- Phone: Development Services, 250-392-1765
- Email: Development Services, development@williamslake.ca

## Key facts

- **Allowed:** Yes. A home-based business, run by a resident of the dwelling unit, is a permitted use in zones R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and RR-1, subject to the conditions in Zoning s. 3.12.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, section 3.12, s. 2.4.1, 3.12.1, Part 4](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "HOME-BASED BUSINESS means a commercial occupation or profession carried" … "on by a resident of the dwelling unit which is clearly incidental and accessory to" … "A home-based business may only be conducted in a zone in which it is" … "Home-Based Business (b)" … "Home-Based Business (a)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Business licence:** Yes. Every home-based business must be licensed under the category matching the business. There is no separate home-based fee; the fee follows the category (for example business services $100, small retail $120, professional services $100 per agent). (Sources differ: City page says a home-based business 'may require' a licence; the bylaw says every one 'shall be licensed'. Value follows the bylaw. The Business License Bylaw still points to Zoning Bylaw No. 1825, 2002, which Bylaw No. 2430 repealed.)
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF), s. 32, Schedule A](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470)
  - Official wording: "Every person operating a Home-based business shall be licensed under the" … "classification which reflects the nature of the business." … "BUSINESS SERVICES $100.00" … "PROFESSIONAL SERVICES $100/agent"
  - Source: [Home-Based Businesses](https://www.williamslake.ca/1069/Home-Based-Businesses)
  - Official wording: "may require a business license before commencing operation"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** Use, including storage, may take at most 25% of the floor area of the home and accessory buildings; all activity inside buildings or rear yards; at most one full-time or two part-time employees on the premises; no on-street parking; one extra parking space if customers visit; one business vehicle; signs under Sign Bylaw 2360.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, section 3.12, s. 3.12.1](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "shall occupy no more than 25%" … "of the floor area of the principal building and accessory buildings." … "All activities shall be conducted entirely within the principal building or" … "employment of more than one full-time or two" … "part-time employees on the premises." … "shall not use on-street" … "one additional parking space must be provided, over and above" … "no more than one vehicle" … "Sign Bylaw No. 2360"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Businesses not allowed:** No automobile, boat or heavy machinery servicing or repair as a home-based business. Outdoor storage is limited by the rule that all activity is inside buildings or rear yards.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, section 3.12, s. 3.12.1(c)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "No automobile, boat, or heavy machinery servicing or repair is permitted as a" … "home-based business use."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of Williams Lake Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (s. 3.12); City of Williams Lake Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (s. 32)
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025, section 3.12, s. 3.12](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
  - Official wording: "building that complies with the BC Building Code requirements for life and safety. 3.12 HOME-BASED BUSINESS 3.12.1 A home-based business may only be conducted in a zone in which it is" … "ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT TABLE List of Amendments to the City of WILLIAMS LAKE ZONING BYLAW NO. 2430, 2025 BYLAW CIVIC ADRESS TYPE /SECTIONS PURPOSE DATE OF" … "3.11.2 Short-term rental accommodation must have a valid license issued under City of Williams Lake Business License Bylaw No. 2365, as amended or replaced from time to time."
  - Source: [Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF), s. 32](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470)
  - Official wording: "Every person operating a Home-based business shall be licensed under the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

In the City of Williams Lake, a home-based business run by a resident of the dwelling unit is a permitted use in zones R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and RR-1, subject to s. 3.12 of [Zoning Bylaw 2430](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601). Mixed-use, commercial and other zones do not list it.

The business must follow these limits:

- Use, including storage, takes at most 25% of the floor area of the home and accessory buildings.
- All activity is inside buildings or rear yards.
- At most one full-time or two part-time employees on the premises.
- No on-street parking, and one extra parking space if customers visit.
- One business vehicle.
- Signs follow Sign Bylaw 2360.
- No automobile, boat or heavy machinery servicing or repair.
- It must follow the Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2194.

## Steps

1. Check your zone (see the zoning lookup answer).
2. Apply for a City business licence in the category that matches your business (see the business licence answer).
3. Ask Development Services (250-392-1765) if you are unsure.

## Good to know

- The City's page says a home-based business "may require" a licence. The [Business License Bylaw](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470) (s. 32) says every one "shall be licensed". Follow the bylaw.
- The licence may need Interior Health approval.
- The Business License Bylaw still points to the old Zoning Bylaw 1825, 2002, which Bylaw 2430 repealed. Use 2430.

## Official forms and pages

- [Home-Based Businesses page](https://www.williamslake.ca/1069/Home-Based-Businesses)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, section 3.12 (PDF)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601)
- [Business License Application Form](https://www.williamslake.ca/DocumentCenter/View/4968/Bus-Lic-Appln--June2023)

## Related questions

- [Williams Lake business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/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)
- [100 Mile House](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/home-based-business.md)
- [Quesnel](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/home-based-business.md)
- [Wells](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/wells/home-based-business.md)
- [Clinton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clinton/home-based-business.md)
- [Cache Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/home-based-business.md)
- [Clearwater](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/home-based-business.md)

## Sources

- [Home-Based Businesses, City of Williams Lake](https://www.williamslake.ca/1069/Home-Based-Businesses) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2430, 2025 (PDF), section 3.12](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/178601) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Business License Bylaw No. 2365, 2022 (consolidated PDF)](https://williamslake.civicweb.net/document/143470) (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 Williams Lake. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/home-based-business/_