What visitors need to know about B.C.'s new short-term rental rules

Short-term rentals are still allowed to operate in B.C., but must have a provincial registration number, and follow both provincial and local short-term rental rules. Learn more on this page about what people travelling within B.C. and visitors to B.C. should know when booking and staying at a short-term rental.

B.C. is taking action to help more families find a place to live and build on actions underway to make homes for people, not for speculation. Like many communities around the world facing a housing shortage, B.C. has introduced rules to help balance the need to create more long-term homes for residents, including people who work in the tourism and hospitality industry, with the need to accommodate visitors.

B.C. defines short-term rentals as accommodations provided to members of the public in exchange for money, for a period of less than 90 consecutive days. Short-term rentals do not include stays at hotels or motels.

Short-term rentals are still allowed to operate in B.C., but hosts are required to follow both provincial and local short-term rental rules, including the requirement to register. Provincial registration ensures that all short-term rental hosts in B.C. follow the rules, including:

• following the provincial principal residence requirement, which limits most short-term rentals in most urban communities to:
  • the host’s principal residence (where they live for the majority of the year),
  • plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the same property
• having a local business licence and following local short-term rental bylaws, where required by the community

How do I know which communities are included in B.C.'s principal residence requirement?

A full list of B.C. communities where the principal residence requirement applies is available on the provincial principal residence requirement page. There is also an interactive principal residence location map where you can input the address of a short-term rental to see if the principal residence requirement applies there. There are some types of accommodations that are exempt from the principal residence requirement..

I am planning a trip to B.C. and want to stay in a short-term rental after June 1, 2025. Will this be allowed?

Yes, people will still be able to stay in short-term rental accommodations that follow provincial and local rules. To help make sure everything goes according to plan for your stay, you can also check with your short-term rental host directly to confirm they comply with provincial requirements, their local government bylaws, and are or will be registered with the provincial registry.

Should I cancel my trip if I booked a short-term rental that doesn’t have a registration number?

The responsibility to register and follow B.C.’s short-term rental rules falls on the host and platform you booked your trip with. Guests will not be responsible for cancelling trips. If you have questions, reach out to your short-term rental host directly.

How do I know if I am booking a registered short-term rental?

Starting May 1, 2025, only registered short-term rentals can be advertised and booked. Short-term rental hosts are required to display a valid provincial registration number on their online listings, in addition to a local business license number, where required by their community.

Is my trip now automatically cancelled if I booked my short-term rental before June 1, 2025?

The responsibility to register and follow B.C.’s short-term rental rules falls on the host and platform you booked your trip with. Short-term rentals that have not registered will have all existing bookings cancelled as of June 1, 2025. Guests will not be responsible for cancelling trips. To help make sure everything goes according to plan for your stay, you can check with your short-term rental host directly to confirm they comply with provincial requirements, their local government bylaws, and are or will be registered with the provincial registry.

Will I be fined if I stay at a non-compliant short-term rental after June 1, 2025?

No, guests will not face any fines for staying in a short-term rental that is non-compliant. The responsibility to comply with short-term rental rules is on the host and the short-term rental platform. Many hosts in B.C. are already operating in compliance with provincial and local requirements.

My host cancelled my trip, will I get my money back?

All refunds for cancelled trips will follow the host and platform’s cancellation policy.  Check with the short-term rental platform you booked your stay with for more information.

If I think my trip doesn’t follow the new rules and I cancel it, will I get my money back?

All refunds for cancelled trips will follow the host and platform’s cancellation policy. Check with the short-term rental platform you booked your stay with for more information.

Resources for visitors to B.C.

• Learn more about B.C.'s Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act
• Destination BC Accommodation Listings
• The Better Business Bureau of British Columbia

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.