Home Based Business Regulations

Home Based Businesses are those businesses which may be operated from a person’s residence. Almost any type of business may be operated from a private residence provided they can comply with Sections 5.5 and 5.6 of the Zoning Bylaw.

Home Occupations Use (Single Family Dwelling)

Any use permitted in any zone contained in this bylaw may be carried out as an accessory home occupation subject to the following conditions:

1. There shall be no outside storage of materials, commodities, or finished products and the home occupation shall be carried on only within a building or structure.
   
   
2. Only residents of the dwelling unit shall engage in the home occupation use.
   
   
3. The aggregate floor area devoted to all home occupation uses shall not be more than 20 percent of the combined gross floor area of all structures on a lot, or 50m² (538 sq. ft.) whichever is lesser.
   
   
4. No person shall carry on any activity for a home occupation use which will create any vibration, noise, heat, glare, odour, or electrical interference which is detectable from outside the premises or which will discharge smoke, fumes, or any toxic or other noxious matter into the atmosphere.
   
   
5. Advertising shall comply with the requirements of the Municipal Sign Bylaw.
   
   
6. No commodity shall be sold or displayed on the premises.
   
   
7. A home occupation use involving community care for preschool children as regulated by the Community Care Facilities Act (R.S.B.C. 1979) shall not accommodate more than eight (8) children.
   
   
8. Not more than 40 m² (430 sq. ft.) or 20 percent of the combined gross floor area of all structures on a lot, whichever is lesser, shall be used on any parcel of land to provide sleeping accommodation for guests in a bed and breakfast or guest house.
   
   
9. There shall not be more than two (2) clients or patrons of the home occupation use on the premises at any one time except as provided under Section 5.5 (g) or (h).
   
   
10. A home occupation use involving the repair of any internal combustion engine or automotive repairs shall be prohibited.
    
11. Only one vehicle used in the conduct of the home occupation shall be stored or parked on the lot in an unenclosed manner. In no case shall the gross vehicle weight of this vehicle exceed 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs).

5.6 Home Occupations In RC, RT, RM, RA OR RP Zones (Multiple Dwellings) (Apts, townhouses, condos)

The only home occupation uses permitted in any RC, RT, RM, RA or RP zone are office use and Community Care for preschool children as specified under Subsection 5.5(g):

1. In addition to those regulations contained in Subsection 5.5, an office home occupation use:
   1. Shall, notwithstanding Sub-section 5.5 (g), not involve the presence of clients, patrons, customers or employees on the premises as a function of its normal business activity.
   2. Shall not occupy more than 15m² (161 sq. ft.) of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit in which it is situated, based on the aggregate floor area devoted to all home occupation-office uses.
   3. Shall be limited to two home occupation uses per dwelling unit.
   4. Shall not be advertised by means of a sign posted on the lot or structure in which the use is carried on.
      
2. In addition to those regulations contained in Subsection 5.5, a home occupation use providing Community Care for preschool children:
   1. Shall not be advertised by means of a sign posted on the lot or structure in which the use is carried on.
   2. Shall, notwithstanding Sub-section 5.5 (g), not accommodate more than five (5) children including the children of the individual carrying on the home occupation use.

Zoning Bylaw #8200 Table 7.1 of Section 7