- The principal residence requirement lets hosts rent their usual home plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit, but only in the communities where it applies.
- Whether you are covered depends on your community, your land and the type of accommodation, and the community list changes.
- Provincial registration, a registration number on every listing and sometimes a local business licence are all part of hosting legally.
If you rent out part or all of your property for short stays in British Columbia, the rules can feel like a patchwork. Some communities apply a principal residence requirement, some do not, and everyone who rents for short stays may still need to register.
This article explains where the requirement applies, what counts as a principal residence, how provincial registration works and how enforcement operates. Your situation may turn on local bylaws and your exact property, so treat this as a starting point.
This article covers the law of British Columbia.
What the principal residence requirement says
Under the requirement, hosts may rent their principal residence, which is their usual day-to-day home, plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the same property. Each rental unit needs its own provincial registration number.
In plain terms, you generally cannot run a short-term rental of a property you do not live in, where the requirement applies. Where it does not apply, other rules such as registration and local bylaws still matter.
Which communities are covered
The requirement applies in municipalities with 10,000 or more residents, plus nearby smaller communities listed by the Province, and in communities that opt in. The community list applies as of June 1, 2026.
The list can change from year to year. Opt-in requests are due February 28 and take effect November 1, while opt-out requests are due February 28 and take effect June 1, and an opt-out requires a vacancy rate of 3% or more for two consecutive years. Check the Province's current list for your community rather than relying on an older one.
There are exceptions. The requirement does not apply in:
- Municipalities under 10,000 that are not within 15 km of a larger listed municipality.
- Mountain resorts, listed ski resort areas and Resort Municipality Initiative communities.
- Most regional district electoral areas.
- Most Islands Trust areas, except Salt Spring and Gabriola.
- Class 9 farm land, although registration is still required there, and an Agricultural Land Reserve designation alone does not qualify.
Types of accommodation that are treated differently
Time shares, home exchanges, student or employee housing, outdoor recreation accommodation, strata guest suites and seasonal accommodation are exempt from both registration and the principal residence requirement. Hotels, motels, insured vehicles and tents are outside the legislation. Certain strata hotels and motels, and fractional ownership, are exempt from the principal residence requirement only.
Agricultural Land Reserve property has its own limits. Short-term rental of a whole house in the Agricultural Land Reserve is not permitted by regulation without an application, while bed-and-breakfast use in a principal residence is allowed without an application when limited to four bedrooms.
Registration, fees and listings
Provincial registration applies to rentals of fewer than 90 consecutive days, even if no local business licence is needed. The Act does not cover rentals longer than 90 days per booking. Compliance with local bylaws is a condition of registration.
| Type of rental | Annual registration fee |
|---|---|
| Host lives there (whole home while away, or rooms in own home) | $100 plus a $1.50 service fee |
| Secondary suite, accessory dwelling unit, secondary property or strata hotel unit on a third-party platform | $450 plus a $1.50 service fee |
Fees are not refunded if your application is denied. You must put your registration number, and your business licence number where one is required, on every listing.
If your local government requires a business licence for short-term rentals, you must upload a valid copy with your registration application or renewal. Platforms must remove listings that do not meet the local licence requirement when the local government asks.
Enforcement and penalties
The Province's Compliance and Enforcement Unit can issue compliance orders, which are enforceable like a court order once filed in B.C. Supreme Court, as well as administrative penalties, and it can seek injunctions. A penalty review may be requested within 30 days of the notice, but only on limited grounds.
Local governments enforce their own rules too. Regional district bylaw fine maximums rose from $2,000 to $50,000, and municipal ticket maximums rose from $1,000 to $3,000 per infraction per day. The specific penalty amounts under the provincial scheme should be confirmed with the Province or a lawyer.
What to do next
- Confirm whether your community is on the Province's current principal residence list.
- Work out whether your property is your usual day-to-day home and whether any suite or unit is on the same property.
- Check whether your land is farm land or in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
- Ask your local government whether a business licence is required and whether your zoning allows the rental.
- Register each rental unit and put the numbers on every listing.
- If you receive an order or penalty notice, note the 30-day review window and get advice quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a home I do not live in?
Where the principal residence requirement applies, hosts may rent their usual day-to-day home plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the same property. A separate property you do not live in is generally not covered, though the exceptions for certain communities and accommodation types may change the answer. Confirm with your local government or a lawyer.
Do I need to register if my community is exempt from the requirement?
Often yes. Provincial registration applies to rentals of fewer than 90 consecutive days, even if no local business licence is needed. Registration is still required for Class 9 farm land, but some accommodation types are exempt from registration altogether.
How much does it cost to register?
The annual fee is $100 plus a $1.50 service fee where the host lives there, and $450 plus $1.50 for a secondary suite, accessory dwelling unit, secondary property or strata hotel unit on a third-party platform. Fees are not refunded if you are denied.
What happens if I do not follow the rules?
The Province can issue compliance orders and administrative penalties and seek injunctions. Local governments can also enforce their own bylaws, with higher maximum fines than before. If you receive a notice, get advice promptly because review deadlines can be short.
Sources
- Province of BC – Short-term rental principal residence requirement — www2.gov.bc.ca
- Province of BC – Register as a host — www2.gov.bc.ca
- Province of BC – BC's short-term rental legislation — www2.gov.bc.ca
- Province of BC – Short-term rental compliance and enforcement — www2.gov.bc.ca
- Agricultural Land Commission – Permitted Uses — alc.gov.bc.ca
Links go to official government, court and regulator pages. The law changes — confirm you are reading the current version.
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