Home-based businesses are small-scale businesses that operate out of a person's home. Usually a portion of the home is set aside for an office or studio.
Short-term rental units such as, but not limited to, AirBnB and VRBO are not permitted anywhere in Pitt Meadows. Bed and breakfast operations are permitted, but must comply with the regulations outlined in section 5.6 of the Zoning Bylaw No. 2505, 2011.
Home-Based Business Regulations
The City of Pitt Meadows local land use regulations and the Provincial Land Agricultural Commission's land use regulations support the establishment of appropriate home-based businesses in residential and agricultural zones.
Many types of home-based businesses are permitted in Pitt Meadows. Every home-based business shall comply with the requirements of Zoning Bylaw No. 2505 Sec 5.3 and must obtain a valid business licence.
There are three categories of home-based businesses, Minor, Major, and Rural, and the following regulations apply:
Within the principal dwelling unit or one accessory building
Deliveries and loading
Must be accommodated on the lot
Maximum number of clients/visitors
None permitted
Two at any given time
Exterior storage, exterior manufacturing, and/or exterior conducting of business
Not permitted. All exterior doors, including garage doors, must remain closed while the home-based business is being operated
Employee restrictions
Only principal residents of the dwelling unit are permitted as an employee of the home-based business
One person other than principal residents of the dwelling unit is permitted as an employee of the home-based business
Two people other than principal residents of the dwelling unit are permitted as employees of the home-based business
Display
No stock in trade is permitted for display, except for articles produced on site
Maximum Gross Floor Area
20% of the dwelling unit up to 50 m²
100 m²
Vehicles and parking
In addition to the off-street parking requirements in Table 7.1, any vehicle used by the home-based business must be parked on the lot associated with the home-based business, to a maximum of four per lot; one of which is permitted as a commercial vehicle with a maximum weight of 4,600 kg.
Permitted if outdoor play area provided. Exempt from maximum gross floor area limit.
Hours of operation
7am to 9pm
Vehicle repair and vehicle-body repair;
Kennel, animal training, breeding, or boarding;
Restaurant, food or beverage service facility;
Retail sales of items other than items manufactured by the home-based business, except for goods sold by mail order, telephone or internet, where the customer does not enter the premises to inspect or pick up the goods;
Cultivation of a controlled substance;
Any use that represents a fire hazard, as determined by the Building Official or Fire Department, by virtue of the manufacturing process or materials storage; and
Any use that includes any on-site storage of hazardous chemicals or explosives.
Floorplan of your home or accessory building showing the area (including size) to be used for the business;
Site plan showing the off-street parking availability for the home-based business if required, in addition to any required residential parking.
For further information on home-based business regulations or licensing requirements, please email licensing@pittmeadows.ca or call 604.465.2428.
