The zoning by-laws allow residents to operate businesses from their homes while still maintaining a quiet and safe residential environment. Home-based businesses are however not currently permitted in mobile home areas and in apartment buildings. All tenants are required to obtain their landlord’s permission to operate a home-based business, and the landlord has to sign the development application before the business can be considered by the City.
Since businesses are of discretionary use in a residential zone, a public notice is required, followed by approval of the City Council. In case of a home-based office or child care business, the City will mail a letter to neighboring homes. For other types of home-based businesses, a public notice is issued in either the Wednesday or Saturday edition of The Western Star. Neighborhood residents have seven days to submit their comments on the proposed home-based business. Development staff will review the application and all comments, and forward their recommendations to the City Council for final decision.
The process of starting a home-based business begins with filling out a development application. A $100 fee must be submitted with the application. For businesses that require issuing a public notice, an additional $200 fee is charged to cover the advertising cost.
For more information on how to license your home-based business, contact the Business Division at business@cornerbrook.com or 1-709-637-1551.
Click here for a practical resource on starting a home-based business.
Home-Based Business Tax
Home-based businesses with a gross revenue of $10,000 or more in a year, are charged an annual business tax of $270, which is pro-rated in the first year depending on the time of the year the business is approved by City Council.
Example:
Annual Home-Based Business Tax: $270.00
Monthly Business Tax: $270/12 = $22.50
Business Start Date: March 01
Annual Business Tax: $22.50 x 10 months = $225.00
If in a year the business makes less than $10,000 in gross revenue, the tax rate will be 1% of gross revenue with a minimum tax of $10.
Example:
Gross Revenue: $9,999.00
Annual Business Tax: 9,999.00 x 0.01 = $99.99
For any questions, please contact the Tax Department at the City Hall, Tel: (709) 637-1568.
