General regulations listed below apply to all home based businesses. Specific regulations for each category of home based business are listed separately below the general regulations.

  • an agricultural dwelling, family care dwelling, secondary suite, garden suite or group home shall not include a home business; 
  • nuisance shall not be generated by a home business; 
  • one vehicle of a client, customer or delivery arriving at the home business shall constitute one visit; 
  • except for emergency situations, vehicle trips, deliveries and client or customer visits shall only occur: i) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday;
    ii) between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sundays and Statutory Holidays; 
  • all clients or customers, home business vehicles and non-resident employee parking shall be provided on-site as outlined in Part 4 of this Bylaw except for an occasional gathering such as a recital, instruction demonstration, meeting, or similar event; 
  • signs shall be as outlined in Part 5 of this Bylaw;  
  • a development permit shall expire upon change in ownership of the property; and 
  • where the Development Officer determines that a proposed home business would be more appropriately located in a commercial or industrial Zoning District due to the proposed scale, potential traffic generation, potential off-site impact or nuisance, the Development Officer shall not approve a development permit.

Minor Home Business Regulations:

  • A home business, minor is a permanent use. 
  • Storage of materials or goods related to the home business shall be limited to areas within the principal dwelling. 
  • Cannot exceed two (2) home business vehicles.

Intermediate Home Business Regulations

  • A home business, intermediate is a temporary use.
  • Any storage of materials or goods related to the home business shall be located within the principal dwelling or accessory building(s). 
  • Exterior storage on the lot shall not be allowed; 
  • Where a home business, intermediate is located on a lot less than two acres there shall be:
    i) no more than two (2) home business vehicles;
    ii) no heavy home business vehicles parked, stored or maintained;
    iii) no more than one (1) non-resident on-site employee; and
    iv) no more than six (6) client or customer visits per day. 
  • Where a home business, intermediate is located on a lot two acres or greater shall be:
    i) no more than two (2) home business vehicles and one (1) heavy home business heavy vehicle. A heavy home business vehicle shall be parked inside a building or screened from adjacent residences and a road, to the satisfaction of the Development Officer;
    ii) no more than two (2) non-resident on-site employees; and
    iii) no more than eight (8) client or customer visits per day.

Major Home Business Regulations

  • A home business, major shall be a temporary use.
  • no more than one (1) heavy home business vehicle shall be allowed where access to the lot is from an internal subdivision road. 
  • on all lot sizes, storage of materials or goods related to the home business shall be located within the principal dwelling or accessory structure(s) except on lots equal to or greater than 9.8 acres, exterior storage may be considered provided the storage area:
    i) is located in accordance with the minimum setback requirements for accessory buildings in the Zoning District; 
    ii) does not exceed 400 m2 in area; and 
    iii) is screened from adjacent residences and a road to the satisfaction of the Development Officer.
  • where a home business, major is located on a lot equal to or greater than five acres and less than 20 acres:
    i) there shall be no more than two (2) client or customer visits per hour;
    ii) there shall be no more than three (3) home business vehicles or heavy home business vehicles;
    iii) any heavy home business vehicle shall be parked inside a building or screened from adjacent residences and a road, to the satisfaction of the Development Officer; and
    iv) no more than three (3) non-resident on-site employees; 
  • where a home business, major is located on a lot equal to or greater than 20 acres and less than 40 acres there shall be:
    i) there shall be no more than three (3) client or customer visits per hour;
    ii) no more than four (4) home business vehicles or heavy home business vehicles; and
    iii) no more than four (4) non-resident on-site employees; 
  • where a home business, major is located on a lot equal to or greater than 40 acres and less than 80 acres there shall be:
    i) there shall be no more than three (3) client or customer visits per hour;
    ii) no more than five (5) home business vehicles or heavy home business vehicles; and
    iii) no more than five (5) non-resident on-site employees; 
  • where a home business, major is located on a lot equal to or greater than 80 acres and less than 160 acres there shall be:
    i) there shall be no more than three (3) client or customer visits per hour;
    ii) no more than six (6) home business vehicles or heavy home business vehicles;
    iii)and no more than six (6) non-resident on-site employees;

More Information

Planning and Development Services
Phone: 780-464-8080
Email: planninganddevelopment@strathcona.ca

Last updated: Sunday, December 10, 2017
Page ID: 47978