Get a home-based business licence

What you need to know before you apply for a home-based business licence

Review the Home Based Business FAQ PDF file (135 KB)

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  Example of home-based businesses

  A home-based business could include, but is not limited to: 

  • Accounting
  • Artists and crafters
  • Massage therapy
  • Personal services (hairdresser, esthetics)
  • Tutoring
  • Online businesses
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  What businesses are not permitted as home-based business

  • Cannabis store 
  • Casino 
  • Electronic cigarette (vape) or tobacco store 
  • Liquor store 
  • Small-scale pharmacy 
  • Childcare (Childcare facilities are subject to separate City and provincial regulations. For more information, review developing a childcare centre)
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  Number of home-based business licences you can have at a home

  A home with multiple residents can have more than 1 home-based business licence.

  There is no limit to the number of home-based business licences registered to one address. However, there is a limit to the maximum number of non-resident employees, customers, and floor area the businesses can occupy within the home. 

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  Operating a home-based business within a secondary suite or rental unit

  When you can operate a home-based business (with the property owner's approval)

  • You live in a secondary suite or rental unit, AND
  • The rental property owner's suite or unit has a valid long-term rental business

  Learn about and apply for a long-term rental business licence

  When you can't operate a home-based business (unless the suite is decommissioned and incorporated back into the main residential dwelling)

  A home-based business must be operated by a person who lives in the dwelling unit. You can't operate a home-based business, if:

  • You don't live in the secondary suite or rental unit, OR
  • The suite or unit is empty or not being used

Steps to getting a home-based business licence

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  Step 1: Review the requirements

  Residence or home requirements

  • The residence is located in the City of Vancouver.
  • The home-based business:
    • Is operated by a resident(s) of the home
    • Can only occupy up to 33.3% of the total gross floor area of your home or 46m² (whichever is the lesser) and this maximum applies to all home-based businesses operating within the home
    • Can operate out of any dwelling type except live-work or artist studios, which are subject to separate City regulations and guidelines 
    • Must be carried out entirely within the home, except for products and materials related to the business, which may be stored in an accessory building such as your shed or garage
    • Must not produce offensive noise, odour, light, vibration, smoke, heat, or other objectionable effect

  Number of clients or customers allowed at your home

  • A maximum of 3 customers are permitted at any one time in a home, regardless of the number of businesses operating out of the home. 
  • Customers are permitted, by appointment only, between:
    • 8am and 8pm on weekdays
    • 10am and 8pm on weekends and holidays

  Number of employees allowed at your home

  • Up to 2 non-resident employees are permitted at any one time in a home, regardless of the number of businesses operating out of the home. 

  Signage

  • If an identification sign for a business is displayed at a residence, it must meet the definition of an ‘identification sign’ in Section 6.12 of the Sign By-law PDF file (40 KB). 
  • Except for signage, there should be nothing else to indicate from the exterior of the dwelling unit that it is being used for any purpose other than its principal and approved residential use.

  Vancouver Coastal Health requirements

  • Some businesses like personal services (for example, barbers, hair stylists, nail services, and so on.) and food premises, are subject to Vancouver Coastal Health requirements in addition to the City of Vancouver’s home-based business regulations. Before applying for a business licence, review Vancouver Coastal Health’s website External website, opens in new tab for more information on these type of businesses to make sure you meet the necessary requirements for approval. 
  • Information icon Vancouver Coastal Health requires a floor plan when reviewing licence applications for personal services and food premises to make sure their requirements are met. 
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  Step 2: Gather required documents

  • Business owner’s current government-issued photo ID 
  • If you apply on behalf of the owner:
    • Letter of authorization from the owner
    • Your current government-issued photo ID
  • If the business is incorporated in BC:
    • BC Certificate of Incorporation 
    • Notice of Articles that lists all current directors
  • If the business is incorporated outside of BC:
    • BC Registration Statement as an Extraprovincial Company
    • Registration documents that list all current directors from the government where you registered the business
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  Step 3: Apply

  Note  For a business to qualify as a home-based business, the business location must be a home-based or residential premise

  Option 1: Apply online

  When you apply online, you can track your application status and receive updates.

  Apply online

  Option 2: Apply using the general business application form

  1. Complete the General Business Licence Application Form PDF file (279 KB).
  2. Send the form and required documents to the Licence Office through our contact form or by mail.
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  Step 4: Pay fees and get licence

  After we finish reviewing your application, we will send you a bill.

  Fees

  • One-time application fee: $74 (non-refundable)
  • Annual licence fee: The amount depends on the business type. To view the licence fees, review Schedule A of the Licence By-law PDF file (380 KB). The annual licence fee for the first year will be pro-rated based on the business start date.

  Note There are no taxes charged on fees.

  Pay your bill

  Note your business licence number on your bill.

  Pay online

  After you pay

  After we receive your payment, we will issue your business licence.

  Your business licence is valid until December 31.

  You will need to pay the annual licence fee by December 31 to renew your business licence for the following year. Late payments are charged a late payment fee of $45 or 10% of the licence fee, whichever amount is greater.

  We will send you a reminder notice in November or December with information about how to renew. Set a reminder to avoid a late payment fee.

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