Strict annual night caps, homeowner-only rules, and what Burnaby hosts need to know before listing on Airbnb.
Burnaby allows short-term rentals, but its rules are among the strictest in Metro Vancouver. The combination of night caps, homeowner-only restrictions, and excluded property types means Burnaby STRs are suited for occasional hosting — not full-time Airbnb operations.
One of the most important and distinctive rules in Burnaby is a hard cap on how many nights per year you can host — far stricter than Vancouver or Richmond.
Hosts may rent their property for a maximum of 90 nights per year in total, combining both room rentals and entire-home rentals. This cap applies regardless of licence type or property size.
Of the 90 total nights, entire-home rentals (where the host is away) are limited to just 28 nights per year. The remaining nights must be partial-home rentals — for example, renting a room while the host is present.
Burnaby limits guest occupancy to 4 unrelated guests or 6 guests from the same family per stay. These limits are designed to reduce noise and neighbourhood impacts.
Hosts must provide guests with a fire safety plan, guest guidelines, neighbour contact information, bylaw information, parking instructions, and waste schedules before each stay.
Only certain property types are eligible for a Burnaby short-term rental licence. Many common property types are explicitly excluded.
Only homeowners may apply for a Burnaby STR licence. Tenants are not permitted to operate short-term rentals in Burnaby regardless of landlord permission.
These examples illustrate how Burnaby's rules apply to common scenarios.
You own a condo, live there, and occasionally rent a spare bedroom. You have a licence and stay under 90 nights/year. This is the most typical legal Burnaby STR.
You own a house, travel for two weeks, and rent the entire home while away. This is allowed if entire-home nights remain under 28 per year and total nights under 90.
An investment condo listed on Airbnb, a basement suite STR, or a tenant hosting guests — all are not permitted under Burnaby's rules regardless of night count.
Legal short-term rentals in the City of Burnaby require all of the following.
City of Burnaby: The City of Burnaby's housing and short-term rental section provides current bylaw details, licence application requirements, fee schedules, and enforcement information.
Province of BC — STR Registry: The provincial short-term rental registry is where all BC hosts must register to receive their provincial registration number before listing.
Regulations change regularly. Always verify current requirements directly with the City of Burnaby and the Province of BC before listing your property.
⚠ Disclaimer: This page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the City of Burnaby and the Province of BC, and consider consulting a qualified professional. Last verified: March 2026.