Short-term rental business licence

Steps to applying for a short-term business licence

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  Step 1: Check eligibility

  Who can operate a short-term rental

  To operate a short-term rental, you must meet all of these conditions:

  • The property is your principal residence unit (where you live, pay bills, and receive mail)
  • You own the property OR you're a long-term tenant with written landlord approval
  • You're renting your entire home OR a room within your home for less than 90 consecutive days

  Guidelines for secondary suites 

  • Laneway houses, basement suites, or secondary suites: You can only rent these if you live in that specific unit (not the main house). 
  • You can't rent both your main house and secondary suite as short-term rentals.

  When you cannot operate a short-term rental 

  You cannot operate a short-term rental if:

  • The property is not your principal residence unit 
  • You're using accessory buildings (garages, studios) for short-term rental
  • You have multiple properties for short-term rental
  • You're operating without a valid licence

  Looking to rent your property for more than 90 days? Learn more about long-term rentals 

  Not sure if your situation qualifies? Contact us for guidance

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  Step 2: Meet safety requirements

  Safety and compliance standards

  Before applying, make sure your property meets all safety and compliance standards.

  • Confirm your home is a legal dwelling unit. 
  • Provide 24-7 contact information to guests. 
  • Install interconnected smoke alarms on every floor and in every bedroom. 
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor if there are gas appliances. 
  • Have a working and accessible fire extinguisher on every floor. 
  • Post a fire plan at all entrances and exits.
  • Have a fire alarm in the building if it has more than 3 dwelling units or 10 occupants.
  • If your short-term rental is attached to another dwelling unit, you need to have either an automated sprinkler system or fire separation between units with at least a 45-minute fire-resistance rating.
  • Review your insurance policies to make sure short-term rentals are allowed and that you’re properly covered if something gets damaged. You may have to pay for any damage caused from operating your short-term rental business.

  Ongoing maintenance 

  Inspect and test annually:

  • Smoke alarms
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Carbon monoxide detectors 

  Note Keep related records of all inspections and tests.

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  Step 3: Get required approvals

  Who you need approval from

  Before you apply, you must have written approval from your: 

  • Strata corporation (most duplexes and multi-unit properties are stratified, so check with BC Assessment External website, opens in new tab before assuming you don't need approval)  
  • Landlord (if you're a tenant) 

  Note Applications without approval may be delayed or denied. Non-compliance may result in fines of up to $1,000 for each offence. 

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  Step 4: Apply online

  Application requirements

  • Complete the online application. 
  • Provide your government-issued ID.
  • Provide landlord or strata approval letter, if applicable. 

  Fees 

  • $74 application fee (non-refundable) 
  • $1,060 annual licence fee (non-refundable) 

  Note Fee is prorated in your first year based on when you start your business.

  What you may be required to provide after you apply

  We may contact you within 5 business days to verify your application. Be ready to provide: 

  • Access to your unit for inspection (if needed) to confirm safety compliance 
  • Records showing fire safety inspections and maintenance, if we request them 

  NEW: After receiving your City of Vancouver short-term rental licence, you must also register with the Province of BC External website, opens in new tab and pay a separate provincial registration fee. Failure to register may result in your listing being removed and future bookings cancelled by platforms. 

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  Step 5: Operate and maintain 

  Display your licence

  • Include your licence number in all online listings and advertisements. 
  • Post a paper copy of your licence in the rental unit.
  • Update your licence number on your online listing every year when you renew.
  • Only advertise if your licence is active — even if no bookings are made.

  Guest management requirements

  No overlapping bookings

  Only 1 booking for each property at a time.

  Note You can rent multiple rooms to the same guest group but not separate rooms to different guests.

  Guest responsibilities

  Make sure guests: 

  • Follow noise and nuisance by-laws 
  • Park on your property or in legal street spots 
  • Manage garbage properly 

  Your ongoing responsibilities 

  • Renew your licence every year by December 31. 
  • Allow inspections at reasonable hours if requested by City staff. 
  • Keep fire safety inspection and maintenance records. 
  • Provide any additional documentation if you're audited, which may include marketing and booking records. 

  By-laws you must follow 

  • By-law 12078 PDF file (30 KB): Short-term rental accommodations and zoning 
  • By-law 12079 PDF file (30 KB): Short-term rental operators and licence fees 
  • By-law 12080 PDF file (10 KB): Short-term rental fines 
  • By-law 12581 PDF file (22 KB): Property manager requirements and fees 
  • By-law 4450 PDF file (633 KB): Licensing and business regulation 

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