TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COUNCIL REPORT - AMENDMENTS TO BUSINESS LICENCE, FEES AND CHARGES, MUNICIPAL TICKET INFORMATION, SIGN AND ZONING BYLAWS

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council DATE: June 29, 2026 FROM: Leah Curtis, Community Planner MEETING DATE: July 7, 2026

AMENDMENTS TO BUSINESS LICENCE, FEES AND CHARGES, MUNICIPAL TICKET INFORMATION, SIGN, AND ZONING BYLAWS

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated June 29, 2026, from the Community Planner titled “Amendments to Business Licence, Fees and Charges, Municipal Ticket Information, Sign and Zoning Bylaws” be received for information.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to present Council with proposed amendments to Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 952, 2016; Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No.643, 2007; Sign Bylaw No. 950, 2018; and Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014 related to changes to the home occupation regulations.

BACKGROUND:

At the February 11, 2025, Committee of the Whole Meeting, staff proposed the project scope to review and update the home occupation regulations in section 4.2 of the Zoning Bylaw. On February 18, 2025, Council passed the following resolution:

THAT the Committee recommend that Council approve the following scope of work for the review of the home occupation regulation in the Zoning Bylaw and Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw:

• Review of the current definition of home occupation within the Zoning Bylaw;
• Review Section 4.2 to determine if the Town’s home occupation regulations are in alignment with other municipalities in the Greater Victoria area while fostering a business-friendly community;
• Determine if there are any additional amendment required related to home occupations elsewhere within the Zoning Bylaw;
• Address the following items within the Business Licence and Regulations Bylaw:
  • Align home occupation definitions with the Zoning Bylaw; and
  • Remove home craft definition.

During the May 12, 2026, Council Meeting, staff introduced changes to various bylaws in relation to proposed changes to the home occupation regulations. Council passed the following motion:

THAT staff prepare the necessary bylaw amendments to amend the home occupation regulations in Zoning Bylaw No. 900, 2014, Sign Bylaw No. 950, 2018, Business Licence Regulation Bylaw No. 952, 2016, Municipal Ticketing Bylaw No. 643, 2007, and Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 958, 2016 to come into effect on January 1, 2027.

ANALYSIS:

Staff reviewed the Home Occupation (Section 4.2) and Bed and Breakfast (Section 4.3) regulations within the Town’s Zoning Bylaw No.900, 2014 and compared them to regulations of several municipalities including the City of Colwood, City of Courtney, City of Duncan, City of Langford, City of Nanaimo, City of Parksville, City of Victoria, District of Central Saanich, and District of Saanich.

As a result of the review conducted, the following Town bylaws will require amendments:

• Business Licence and Regulations Bylaw No.952, 2016
• Fees and Charges Bylaw No.958, 2016
• Municipal Ticketing Bylaw No.643, 2007
• Sign Bylaw No.950, 2018
• Zoning Bylaw No.900, 2014

Since the May 12, 2026, Council Meeting, staff further reviewed the proposed daycare, small regulations against the Community Care and Assisted Living Act. Given that daycares are regulated under the Act, the proposed daycare, small regulations were removed from the proposed home-based business regulations. However, a daycare, small will be required to provide 1 parking space for each employee after the business licence holder.

The amendment bylaws for the Business Licence and Regulations, Fees and Charges, Municipal Ticket Information, Sign Bylaw and Zoning Bylaws have been prepared for bylaw readings.

Impacts and implications can be summarized as follows:

Community Impact:

• The proposed amendments to Section 4.2 and Section 4.3 of the Zoning Bylaw will impact all residents that hold a current home craft and/or home occupation business licence.
• The proposed changes include a maximum number of home occupations per dwelling unit and per lot.
• The proposed amendments will impact Home Craft business licensee holders specifically their business licence fee will increase from $50.00 to $100.00 due to the removal of the home crafts. No other home occupation fee has been increased.
• Following first and second reading of Bylaw No. 1178, a public hearing date would be set to allow the public to provide comment on the proposed bylaw amendments.

Financial Implication: There are no anticipated financial implications.

Inter-government Relations Impact: There are no anticipated impacts to inter-governmental relations.

ALIGNMENT:

The recommended option aligns with the Town’s core guiding documents as follows:

Strategic Plan:

• Strategic Priority G, Goal 3c) Review home occupation business zoning regulations and licensing.
• Strategic Priority D, Goal 2a) Continue to improve relationships with business community to build business friendly reputation – consider expanded Home Occupation definition.

Official Community Plan:

• Policy ED1.3 – Pursue opportunities to attract new businesses to View Royal that meet the community’s economic development and land use goals and objectives.
• Policy ED4.1 – Support home-based businesses that are compatible with residential uses throughout View Royal as a means of providing alternative employment options, reducing commutes and providing more services locally.

Other Policy Documents: N/A

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is: [x] Consult

TIME CRITICAL:

There are no time critical consideration for the Town.