If you're thinking of starting a home-based business in Laurentian Valley, here are some items to consider.

What type of business are you proposing?

There are two types of home-based businesses:

Man standing in front of a lifted car in a mechanic shop.
Home Industry:

This means a gainful occupation, service, or trade such as woodworking, welding, machine, or auto repair shop or storage, in whole or in part in a building or structure accessory to a dwelling.

Esthetician providing a service to a woman lying down on a service bed.
Home Occupation:

This means any occupation for gain or support which is carried on as an accessory use either within a dwelling or dwelling unit, and operated by the occupants residing therein. Such home occupation uses may include a service shop, the office or consulting room of a doctor, dentist, chiropractor, drug-less practitioner etc. Please note that under certain circumstances, your property may already qualify based on your property zoning. We recommend contacting us to inquire about your zoning.

 Home Industry Provisions

3.14 Home Industry

A home industry shall only be permitted in a Rural (RU) and Agriculture (A) Zone provided the following provisions are complied with:

  • (a) Not more than ten percent (10%) or ten square metres of the dwelling unit area, whichever is the lesser, shall be used for the purpose of a home industry.
  • (b) Accessory buildings may be erected, altered or used for the purpose of a home industry provided that not more than fifty (50) square metres of the gross floor area of all accessory buildings shall be used for the purpose of home industry.
  • (c) A home industry must be clearly secondary to the main residential or agricultural use on the property and operated primarily by the inhabitants therein.
 Home Occupation Provisions

3.15 Home Occupations

A home occupation shall be permitted in any permitted residential dwelling unit provided such home occupation conforms to the following provisions:

  • (a) The use shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit and carried on by occupants of the dwelling unit. One employee will be permitted to be employed in addition to occupant(s) of the dwelling.
  • (b) There shall be no external display or advertising other than a non-illuminated sign not more than three-tenths (.3) of a square metre in area, to indicate to persons outside that any 46 Comprehensive Zoning By-law No. 08-04-391 of the Township of Laurentian Valley part of the dwelling unit or lot is being used for a purpose other than residential.
  • (c) Not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the dwelling unit area shall be used for the purpose of home occupation uses.
  • (d) Such home occupation shall be clearly secondary to the main residential use and there shall be no change to the outside appearance of the dwelling unit or premises or any visible evidence of the conduct of a home occupation.
  • (e) There shall be no storage of equipment, vehicles, or supplies associated with the home occupation outside the dwelling.
  • (f) The use shall not require more than 2 off-street parking spaces for clients or customers of the home occupation in addition to the parking requirements for residential use on the property.
  • (g) The home occupation shall not create or become a public nuisance, in particular, in regard to noise, traffic or parking.
  • (h) There shall be no manufacturing, fabricating or assembly process taking place on the premises.
  • (i) No equipment or process shall be used in a home occupation which creates excessive noise, vibration, glare, fumes, or odour detrimental to the health, safety, and general welfare of persons residing in the neighbourhood.

When considering a home-based business in LV you should:

  1. Contact the Township at 613-735-6291 x208 and speak with the Community Development Officer. You will need to determine whether your specific property is able to accommodate the home-based business you have in mind.
  2. If you are making any interior changes or new construction, additional permits may be required.
  3. Familiarize yourself with the [Township Zoning By-Law].

What should you have prepared when speaking with the Township?

  • Be prepared with as much information as possible.
  • Know the location of the property you are interested in, or which you own or rent.
  • Have specific details about the business you are proposing.
  • Know or estimate how many employees you will have in addition to the occupants of the home.
  • Are client or customers coming to your home location?
  • How many off-street parking spaces do you propose or think you will need?
  • Are you proposing to operate the business inside the house or dwelling unit?
  • Will the business be in a separate accessory building or detached garage?
  • Are you proposing to build a new build to a new building, an addition, or will there be interior renovations?
  • How large of an area inside the home will the home-based business occupy?

Having this information, or as much of it as possible will help us to further determine the scope of the proposed home-business.

Additional resources

We can further connect you to other agencies and organizations that can assist you with a range of services such as business mentoring, training, and preparing your Business Plan.

Here is a list of resources. Click on their organization name to get redirected to their website.

Business owner holding a door open with an open sign hanging on the door.

Grants are a helpful tool to boost your business. 

Learn more about grants