Municipal Licensing and Strata Bylaw Compliance for Home-Based Businesses

In May 2026, a young entrepreneur in Burnaby, British Columbia began operating a custom cake business from the kitchen of her 2-bedroom condominium unit. The operation accepts orders through social media and a personal website, with delivery throughout Metro Vancouver. During peak periods, a family member assists with decorating work 2 afternoons per week. Projected first-year revenue sits at approximately $42,000.

The venture intersects multiple regulatory and contractual frameworks. The strata corporation's bylaws restrict commercial use of residential units and impose limitations on visitor parking. The City of Burnaby's home occupation licensing regime imposes conditions on signage, customer foot traffic, and accessory uses. The operator's tenant insurance policy contains an exclusion for business activity conducted on the premises.

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