Home-Based Business

Did you know that you can operate a small-scale business from your home? The Township of Southwold's Zoning By-Law permits small businesses out of homes.

Home businesses may be one of two types

Home occupation

The Township's Official Plan describes ‘Home Occupation' as an occupation or business conducted for gain or profit within a dwelling unit within Section 3.15 Home Occupation.

Home industry

The Township's Official Plan describes ‘Home Industry' as an occupation or business conducted for gain or profit within a dwelling unit and/or accessory buildings in accordance with Section 3.14 Home Industry.

Permitted uses in Agricultural 1(A1) include: Agriculture use, bed and breakfast establishment, conservation land, grain handling facility, forestry use, greenhouse commercial, greenhouse farm, home industry, home occupation, nursery, public use, single detached dwelling, winery, farm.

What are the regulations

Home occupation

Home occupations are permitted and must comply with the following provisions:

A home occupation shall be secondary to a dwelling unit occupied by the owner or tenant thereof as the principal residence and located within a Zone in which a home occupation is specifically listed as a permitted use.
A home occupation shall not employ more than one person who does not reside in the dwelling unit, being the site of the home occupation.
The total floor area of the dwelling unit, including basement area, used for the home occupation shall not exceed twenty-five (25%) of the total floor area of the dwelling unit or 40.0 m² (430ft²), whichever is the lesser.
A home occupation shall not be permitted within an accessory building or structure.
Open storage of goods, materials and equipment, including the storage of vehicles shall not be permitted.
The external character of the dwelling as a residence shall not change or create a nuisance, particularly in regards to noise, odour, dust, parking, traffic and refuse.
No parking in addition to the required parking for the dwelling unit shall be created.
There shall be no externally visible indications that a home occupation is being conducted within a dwelling unit, except that a sign no larger than 0.4 m² (4ft²) shall be permitted.

Home industry

A home industry shall be permitted in any Agricultural Zone and such use must comply with the following provisions:

Except for open storage, home industries shall be carried on entirely within a building or structure accessory to a permitted use.
Storage of materials, containers, or finished products in the front or side yards shall not be permitted.
For any lot, the gross floor area devoted to home industries shall not exceed 200 m² (2,153 ft²).
The total amount of open storage shall not exceed 90 m² (969 ft²).
Home industries shall not employ more than two non-residents.

Ready to get started? Not sure that your business idea meets the home-based business regulations?

Contact our Building or Planning Department to get started.

Additional resources to assist businesses are also available from:

The Elgin Business Resource Centre

Elgin County – Progressive by Nature

Home based business brochure page 1

Home based business brochure page 2