Get a long-term rental business licence

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  More details

  Read a description of these properties.

  One-family dwelling

  Main building on a property with one dwelling unit

  Laneway house

  Separate dwelling unit in the rear yard of a property with an existing one-family dwelling

  Secondary suite

  Separate dwelling unit within a building that has a one-family dwelling, only smaller

  Duplex

  Building with two dwelling units

  Apartment house

  Building, possibly a strata, with three or more dwelling units

  Residential/commercial building

  Building with commercial space on the main floor and dwelling units on the second floor

  Multiple conversion dwelling

  Building converted to have a combination of two or more sleeping units, housekeeping units, or dwelling units

  Rooming house

  Building with sleeping units

  Dwelling unit

  Separate unit equipped to sleep, sit, and cook, with its own bathroom

  Housekeeping unit

  Separate unit equipped to sleep, sit, and cook, with a shared bathroom

  Sleeping unit

  Separate unit equipped to sleep and sit, with a shared bathroom

Steps to getting a long-term rental business licence

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  Step 1: Review what may be required for buildings built before 1956

  ​Because our records may not include the number of dwelling units in your building:

  • We need to inspect the building to confirm the number of dwelling units
  • You need to provide a floor plan
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  Step 2: Gather required documents

  Gather the following documents, based on who applies and your business structure.

  As a business owner, you need:

  • Copy of your current, government-issued photo ID

  As a representative applying for the licence, you need:

  • Copy of the business owner's current, government-issued photo ID
  • Copy of your own current, government-issued photo ID
  • Letter of authorization from the business owner PDF file  (60 KB)

  As a limited or incorporated business, you need:​

  • Copy of the business owner's current, government-issued photo ID
  • Provincial or extra-provincial certificate of incorporation issued by the BC Corporate Registry (A federal certificate of incorporation issued by Industry Canada won't be accepted)
  • Notice of Articles showing your company's list of directors
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  Step 3: Submit application, pay fees​, and get licence

  A. Fill out application

  Complete the rental property application PDF file  (74 KB)

  B. Review fees

  Application fee for new business licence

  • $60 non-refundable fee

  Licence fee

  • $36 to 74 per unit (except the unit occupied by the owner) based on the type of property and unit
  • Annual fee
  • Licence expires each year on December 31
  • Fee is prorated in your first year based on when you start business

  Type of rental property	Type of unit	Annual fee
  One-family dwelling, Laneway house, Secondary suite, Duplex, and Residential/commercial building	Dwelling unit	$74
  Apartment house	Dwelling unit	$76
  Multiple conversion dwelling	Dwelling unit	$74
  Multiple conversion dwelling	Housekeeping unit	$54
  Multiple conversion dwelling	Sleeping unit	$36
  Rooming house	Sleeping unit	$36

  For the official fees, refer to the Business Licence Fees in Schedules A and B of the Licence By-law PDF file  (380 KB).

  How to pay

  Pay by:

  • Cash
  • Cheque or money order (made payable to the City of Vancouver)
  • Debit card
  • Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

  Important note We don't accept credit card cheques.

  C. Submit application and fees

  Provide your application, required documents, and fee payment either:

  • Online
  • By mail
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  Step 4: Display your licence

  You must ensure the rental licence is displayed and easily accessible for tenants. 

  If you have a:

  • Single unit, display the licence in the unit
  • Multi-unit complex, post in a location that is accessible to all tenants (For example in a communal area such as the lobby, building entrance, or mailroom.) 
     

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