Short Term Rental Regulations in the City of Vancouver

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    short term rental regulations Vancouver

    Vancouver’s short-term rental (STR) regulations aim to strike a balance between the city’s housing needs and the benefits of home-sharing. As of 2025, both municipal and provincial regulations govern short-term rental (STR) operations. This guide provides an overview of the current requirements for hosts in Vancouver.

     

    What Qualifies as a Short-Term Rental?

     

    In Vancouver, a short-term rental is defined as renting a dwelling unit for less than 90 consecutive days. This includes entire homes or individual rooms rented through platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, etc.

     

    Key Requirements for Hosts

     

    1. Principal Residence

     

    Hosts must operate their STR from their principal residence. In this home, they live most of the year and use it for bills, identification, taxes, and other official purposes. Secondary properties are not eligible for short-term rentals.

     

    1. Business License

     

    All STR operators in Vancouver are required to obtain a business license. As of 2025, the annual fee for this license is $1,060 (non-refundable). The license number must be included in all online listings and advertisements.

     

    1. Provincial Registration

     

    In addition to the city business license, hosts must register their STR with the British Columbia Short-Term Rental Registry by May 1, 2025. The annual registration fees are:

     

    • $100 for a primary residence.
    • $450 for a secondary suite, cottage, or laneway house.
    • $600 for strata hotels.

     

    Early registration discounts are available:

     

    • 50% off if registered by February 28, 2025.
    • 25% off if registered by March 31, 2025.

     

    Failure to register by the deadline may result in the removal of listings and cancellations of bookings.

     

    1. Safety and Compliance

     

    Hosts must ensure their property meets safety standards, including:

    • Interconnected smoke alarms on each floor and in each bedroom.
    • Operational fire extinguishers are on each floor.
    • Carbon monoxide detectors should be on each floor if gas appliances are present.
    • Display a fire safety plan at all entrances and exits.
    • Annual inspection and testing of all safety equipment.

     

    1. Strata and Tenancy Permissions

     

    If the property is part of a strata or a rental unit, hosts must obtain written permission from the strata council or landlord before operating an STR.

     

    Penalties for Non-Compliance

     

    Non-compliance with STR regulations can result in significant penalties:

     

    • Municipal fines of up to $3,000 per infraction per day.
    • Provincial fines of up to $50,000 for bylaw offences.
    • Remove listings from STR platforms starting June 2, 2025, for unregistered properties.
    • Cancellation of existing bookings for unregistered properties starting June 23, 2025.

     

    Additional Considerations

     

    • Hosts must display their city business license and provincial registration numbers on all STR listings.
    • STR platforms must verify that listings have valid registration numbers and remove non-compliant listings upon request from authorities.
    • Hosts should stay informed about changes in local and provincial regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.

     

    For assistance with managing your short-term rental and ensuring full compliance with all regulations, consider our Airbnb Management Vancouver services.

    To get more information, visit Vancouver’s official website or contact us.