New Short-Term Rental Rules in British Columbia – Effective May 1, 2024
Starting May 1, 2024, British Columbia will enforce new restrictions on short-term rentals in 65 communities across the province. The updated regulations introduce a principal residence requirement, limiting short-term rentals to:
- The host’s principal residence.
- One secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit located on the same property.
These rules apply to municipalities with populations of 10,000 or more, as well as nearby smaller communities. However, local governments may enforce stricter short-term rental bylaws based on their specific needs.For example, cities like Victoria and Vancouver require short-term rental operators to obtain a business license. As of May 1, 2024, hosts in these areas must display a valid business license number on their listings.For further details on regional business licensing requirements, visit the
B.C. Regional District Business Regulation webpage.