What every property owner needs to know — provincial rules, city licences, and what changed in 2024–2025.
Short-term rentals in Metro Vancouver may include:
Eligibility depends on both provincial law and local bylaws. Not all property types qualify in every city.
Under BC's Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, these rules set the minimum standard across nearly all Metro Vancouver municipalities. Local cities may add stricter requirements, but not weaker ones.
STRs are generally limited to a host's principal residence — the home where they normally live. Most investment properties cannot be used as full-time STRs. Hosts may also rent one secondary suite or accessory unit on the same property.
All STR hosts in BC must register with the provincial STR registry and display their registration number on every listing. Platforms such as Airbnb may remove listings that lack a valid number.
Airbnb, Vrbo, and other platforms are required to verify registration numbers, remove non-compliant listings, and share data with the province — creating a unified enforcement system across Metro Vancouver.
Properties previously operating under "grandfathered" arrangements no longer qualify. All STRs must comply with current regulations regardless of when they began operating.
Although details vary by city, most legal short-term rentals in Metro Vancouver require all of the following.
BC's provincial framework was introduced between 2024 and 2025 primarily to increase long-term housing supply by limiting full-time short-term rentals on investment properties. The new rules aim to:
As a result, compliant listings — operated from a principal residence with all required licences — have become more valuable and face less competition from non-compliant operators.
While provincial rules set the baseline, each Metro Vancouver city has its own licensing fees, zoning requirements, and restrictions. Select your city for details.
Want to compare all cities at once? Use the interactive comparison table to filter by what you need and see which cities qualify.
Compare All Cities ↔
Two licence types available: STR Licence (entire unit / room rentals) and BNB Licence (room rentals with host on-site). Principal residence required.
View Vancouver Rules →
Maximum 90 nights/year total; entire-home limited to 28 nights/year. Homeowners only — no tenants, no secondary suites or laneway homes.
View Burnaby Rules →
Two licence types: B&B (detached houses, up to 6 guests) and Boarding & Lodging (condos, max 2 guests). Entire-unit rentals are not permitted.
View Richmond Rules →
Owner-operated only, $350/yr business licence, building inspection required. No annual night cap — only the provincial 90-day per-booking limit applies.
View Surrey Rules →
Home-based business licence required. Host must occupy the property. Maximum 2 guests per stay. Rental use limited to less than 40% of floor area.
View Coquitlam Rules →
Bed & Breakfast licence is the only legal STR pathway. Host must live on-site, breakfast required. Inspections required. Application ~$58, annual ~$209.
View New Westminster Rules →
Three licence types with more flexibility than most cities. Secondary suites and coach houses on the same property are also permitted. Bylaws updated 2024.
View North Vancouver Rules →
STR permitted since January 2025. Note: West Vancouver defines STR as less than 30 days. No annual night cap. Max 8 guests. Business licence required.
View West Vancouver Rules →
No dedicated STR bylaw yet — Delta is in regulatory transition. Provincial rules apply. Business licence required. Secondary suites allowed if owner-occupied.
View Delta Rules →
2024 bylaw updates. Max 3 guests. Host must reside on-site. No secondary suites or cooking facilities for STR use. Residential business licence required.
View Port Moody Rules →⚠ 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 relevant municipality and consider consulting a qualified professional. Last verified: March 2026.