Certain types of home based businesses are permitted in residential areas of Saskatoon. The standards for home based businesses are intended to seek a balance between supporting a quiet, safe, and aesthetic residential environment while supporting the aspirations of home based entrepreneurs. Business activities which pose a threat to the maintenance of a peaceful neighbourhood are not permitted, and must locate in commercial or industrial areas.

Development Standards
The following regulations apply to all home based businesses:

• No more than one non-resident employee is permitted to work on-site.
  
  
• All business activities must be conducted entirely indoors.
  
  
• The business must not occupy more than 20% of the gross floor area of the dwelling, including the area of the basement and any attached garage, up to a maximum of 40m^2.
  
  
• An attached garage or accessory building may be occupied by a home based business, provided that the total area used does not exceed 40m², and does not interfere with any required parking spaces.
  
  
• No outside storage of materials, goods or equipment related to the home based business.
  
  
• One paved off-street parking space is required for a non-resident employee.  Additional off-street parking spaces may be required.
  
  
• No more than one business related vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of no more than 5,000 kg and a total length of no more than 6.0 metres may be stored on or in the vicinity of the site.
  
  
• A total of no more than 8 client or business related visits per day, and no more than 40 client or business related visits per week shall be made to home based businesses on any one site.  This includes delivery of merchandise, goods or equipment to the business residence.
  
  
• Deliveries of merchandise, goods or equipment must not cause a nuisance to other residents of the neighbourhood.
  
  
• A maximum of 2.0 cubic metres of storage may be permitted within a dwelling, and a maximum of 4.0 cubic metres of storage may be permitted within the garage, shed or other accessory building.
  
  
• Storage of hazardous, explosive or flammable materials are not permitted.



• Signs advertising the home based business are not permitted on the property.



• No exterior alterations can be made to the home that are not consistent with the residential character of the buildings and property.
  
  
• An approved home based business may serve as the administrative headquarters for up to two partners, provided they each obtain a separate home based business approval, and that they are present at the administrative headquarters no more than two hours in any one week period.
  
  

Prohibited Home Based Businesses
Without limiting the authority of the Development Officer to deny applications for other home based businesses which do not meet the requirements of this bylaw, the following uses are prohibited as home based businesses:

• tattoo or body modification services
  
  
• laundry services
  
  
• veterinary services, boarding, grooming or care of animals
  
  
• photographic or video studio involving adult or sexually oriented subject material
  
  
• sharpening services, printing, screen printing, dying services, food packaging, upholstery, engraving and embroidery services that require the use of commercial or industrial equipment 
  
  
• hotels and hospitals
  
  
• the painting, repairing, refitting, cleaning, refurbishing, storage, salvage, selling or renting of motor vehicles, boats, trailers, engines or machinery
  
  
• industrial uses, including but not limited to welding, metal works, salvaging, recycling, warehousing, cabinet making or furniture making
  
  
• businesses utilizing large power tools and machinery or requiring external venting, vacuums, blowers or exhaust ports
  
  
• any business utilizing radio transmission equipment
  
  
• on-site sale of any products, goods or merchandise
  
  
• restaurants, take-out food services, and drinking establishments



• the sale, storage or service of firearms, fireworks or ammunition
  
  
• any use that creates noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odour, air pollution, heat, glare, bright light, hazardous or unacceptable waste, electrical, television or radio interference detectable beyond the boundaries of the dwelling.