Home-based businesses are becoming more common. The Land Use Bylaw regulates the restrictions and requirements for the four classifications of home-based businesses allowed in the County.

 Home Occupation - Minor
  • No employees permitted
  • Business must be contained within the principal residential dwelling unit
  • No outdoor business activity or storage of materials or equipment
  • Maximum of two (2) company vehicles up to one (1) ton
  • No signage
  • No more than four (4) business visits per day
  • No development permit required
 Home Occupation - Intermediate
  • Maximum four (4) employees
  • Outdoor activity or storage at discretion of Development Officer
  • Maximum of four (4) trucks up to one (1) ton, two (2) trailers, and related vehicles and minor equipment.
  • Signage at discretion of Development Officer
  • Maximum eight (8) business visits per day
  • Development permit required
  • May require road use agreement, offsite levy for road improvement, site plan
  • Discretionary use only in Country Residential CR-2, CR-3, CR-4 and CR-5 Districts
 Home Occupation - Major
  • Maximum twelve (12) employees
  • Outdoor storage dependent on parcel size
  • Maximum of four (4) trucks up to one (1) ton, two (2) trailers, up to two (2) trucks larger than one (1) ton, and related vehicles and minor equipment.
  • Signage at discretion of Development Officer
  • Maximum twenty (20) business visits per day
  • Development permit required
  • May require road use agreement, offsite levy for road improvement
  • Site plan required for parcels using more than two (2) trucks
  • Discretionary use only in Country Residential CR-5 District
 Home Occupation - Agricultural
  • Maximum two (2) employees
  • No outdoor business activity or storage of business equipment
  • Development permit required
  • May require road use agreement, offsite levy for road improvements

Note: The information provided here is for reference only. Please review the Land Use Bylaw for detailed information on restrictions and requirements.

Home-based Business Permit Process

A Development Permit Application can be submitted online. A development officer will review the application.

If necessary, the application will be sent to other agencies such as Alberta Transportation, Alberta Environment, or the County Public Works Department for review and feedback. It may also be circulated to adjacent landowners or other impacted parties. Everyone who received notifications of the application is given 14 days to provide written comments.

The development officer may decide to refuse, approve, or refer an application to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) for a decision. Approvals can be permanent, or temporary for five years or less. If it is referred to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC), a meeting will be held where the applicant and any impacted parties can representations to the board.

Decisions made by a Development Officer or the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) can be appealed to the Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board within 21 days of the written decision being issued.