Local rules, municipality by municipality
Health rules are the same across the Island; business licences, zoning and home-business rules are set by each municipality.
| Municipality | Food business from home | Business licence |
|---|---|---|
| City of VictoriaCapital Regional District | Unclear — ask the municipality | $100 a year for a home-based business (the bylaw lists catering separately at $60 a year); a $25 late fee after February 15 |
| District of SaanichCapital Regional District | Allowed, with conditions | Home-based: $100; Home crafts: $50 (handmade articles — food is not named); Mobile Food Vendors: $100 |
| City of LangfordCapital Regional District | Allowed, with conditions | “Home Occupation or Home Office Fee: $100” (current application form) — paid once, since a resident licence doesn’t expire |
| Township of EsquimaltCapital Regional District | Allowed, with conditions | Home Occupations $100.00; Home Crafts $50.00 (its definition lists handmade articles, not food); late fee $25.00 |
| District of Oak BayCapital Regional District | Unclear — ask the municipality | Type 1 $100, Type 2 $150, Type 3 $200 (Bylaw No. 4979, reported adopted September 2026); the last consolidated bylaw shows “Home Based Business” $50.00 |
| City of ColwoodCapital Regional District | Allowed, with conditions | “Home Crafts/Home Occupation $100”, charged once when you apply; licences renew automatically each year |
| Town of SidneyCapital Regional District | Allowed, with conditions | "Home Occupation $100.00"; "Minor Home Occupation $50.00" (a hobby shop, craft shop, instructor or private teacher) |
| City of NanaimoRegional District of Nanaimo | Allowed, with conditions | "All other businesses $165.00" (the fee table has no separate home-based line); non-profits $50.00 |
| City of DuncanCowichan Valley Regional District | Allowed, with conditions | "an annual fee of $100.00" ($125.00 if paid after 29 February; $50.00 for new licences issued after 1 July) |
| Municipality of North CowichanCowichan Valley Regional District | Not allowed | "Yearly Licence Fee $100"; late fee $25 after February 28 (February 29 in a leap year); pro-rated $50 after July 1 |
| City of CourtenayComox Valley Regional District | Allowed, with conditions | 2026: Home Occupation $75.00; Restaurant $150.00; Snack Bar $50.00. From 2027: Home Occupation $150; a restaurant or snack bar is a Resident Business at $350 new, $250 to renew; plus a $50 application fee |
| City of Campbell RiverStrathcona Regional District | Allowed, with conditions | "$150 per year"; seasonal (six-month) licences "$75 per season" |