When it comes to running a business out of one’s home, the City of Weyburn requires, for the most part, the owner has a business license, as well as a home occupation permit. The reminder comes as the city sees an uptick in those requesting permits and licenses. 

“We are seeing more and more of it happening,” explained Amanda Kaufmann, the City of Weyburn’s Planning and Development Co-Ordinator. “I think there’s a lot of people out there trying to start up small businesses, get their feet on the ground, see how it’s going, before getting a commercial location downtown.” 

When it comes to permits, often people hear about the process when it goes before Weyburn City Council. However, not every permit needs the approval of the council. 

“We have a wide variety of home occupations,” Kaufmann added. “Some people run offices out of their home where there’s no clients coming to the house. Those ones do not have to go to Council. It is when their clients start coming to the residential home, that’s when we take it to Council.” 

Part of the process for what is deemed ‘controversial’ under the current zoning bylaw is having the council review the application, as well as notice to the neighbours as to what is happening.  

One question posited to Kaufmann was the rules concerning direct sellers. 

“You have people who are selling Scentsy or Tupperware; we consider those direct sellers – they are catalogue selling for a major company,” Kaufmann stated. 

She clarified home occupations are more like services such as home hair salons, accountants working from home, dog trainers and more.