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Information for strata-titled hotels or motels

Last updated on June 4, 2024

Effective May 1, 2024, there are new requirements for operating a short-term rental in B.C. Learn about how these requirements impact your strata-titled hotel or motel property. 

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Strata hotels and motels

The Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act does not apply to hotels and motels because they are meant to provide overnight accommodation, not long-term housing. 

A strata-titled hotel or motel is a property in which different owners own different strata lots and accommodation is provided in a manner like that of a hotel or motel. There is considerable variety in how such strata hotels and motels are set up, operated, and marketed. 

New regulations taking effect on May 1, 2024 provide criteria for exemptions for strata hotels and motels from the principal residence requirement.

Principal residence exemption

For an existing strata hotel or motel to be exempt, one of the two following options must apply: 

  1. Before December 8, 2023, accommodation was being provided in a manner similar to a hotel or motel, and on December 8, 2023, the strata hotel or motel had and continues to have all of the following services, which are provided in a manner similar to a hotel or motel: 
  • A staffed front desk on-site

  • One or more employees or contractors that provide housekeeping services for the overnight accommodations

  • A platform providing platform services available exclusively to owners offering short-term rentals at the property

  1. Before December 8, 2023, accommodation was being provided in a manner similar to a hotel or motel, and two or more strata lots on the property were, on December 8, 2023, not able to be used, and continue to not be able to be used, as a principal residence by anyone due to a restriction under:

  • Zoning, or

  • A rental management agreement between the manager and one or more owners of the strata lots, or

The exemption for strata hotels and motels will apply to all units on a property, so there is consistent treatment of all the units. 

For new strata hotels or motels that were first capable of being occupied on or after December 8, 2023 to be exempt from the principal residence requirement, they will have to have all three services listed above in option 1, plus one of the legal use restrictions described in option 2.   

What is the significance of the date December 8, 2023?

December 8, 2023 is the day after which the previous regulation (OIC 679-2023) was deposited that described exemptions to the principal residence requirement. The references to December 8, 2023 aim to prevent owners from modifying their operations after that date to try to continue operating short-term rentals in properties that the Province intends to be subject to the principal residence requirement. This would be counter to the goal of returning housing units to the long-term housing stock. 

Host requirements

As of May 1, 2024, short-term rental hosts in strata hotels or motels will have to follow the new requirements: 

  • Display of local government business licence number, where applicable

By late 2024 or early 2025, the Province expects that short-term rental hosts will be required to: 

  • Register in the provincial registry 

  • Include a provincial registration number on short-term rental listings 

​ See the information for short-term rental hosts page to learn more.  

Platform requirements

Strata hotels and motels that host their own platform services must follow platform requirements.

See the information for short-term rental platforms page to learn more.

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Disclaimer  

The information on this webpage about the Province of British Columbia’s Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act and regulations is provided for the user’s convenience as a basic starting point. It is not a substitute for getting legal advice or other professional advice. If there is a conflict between the information on this webpage and the legislation or regulations, the legislation and regulations prevail. The interpretation of legislation is also affected by court decisions. This information may be subject to change, including changes due to the legislative process. 

Please contact ServiceBC if you have questions about B.C.'s new short-term rental legislation.

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