(2024) Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act in BC: A Comprehensive Guide

On May 1st, hosts offering short-term furnished accommodation will be required to set their minimum stays to one month for most accommodation types. Should the new law come into effect as-is, listings that are not on the same property as a host’s primary residence must set their minimum stay to 90 days for guest reservations. In this article, we’ll outline how you can successfully adapt your short-term listing to a monthly model, and what the new law means for you, guests, and local and international businesses who employ local, domestic, and international professionals.

Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act: Summary

Announced by NDP Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon and Premier David Eby on October 26, 2023, the Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act expanded the Provincial definition of short-term as a rental lasting “less than 90 consecutive days”, which may result in significant negative effects on BC’s population and economy.

The set of changes that will have the greatest impact on the BC rental landscape are set to take effect on May 1, 2024. These will restrict short-term rental activity to a host’s primary residence, plus one suite on the same property. In addition, properties with bylaws that currently allow for short-term rentals will no longer be exempt through a mechanism best known as grandfathering.

The following article will outline helpful strategies that can be put into place immediately for hosts who are impacted, and will answer many frequently asked questions related to the new Act. Valuable insights may also be learned by guests, companies, and government agencies who must navigate the potential implications to their reservations and planning. Responses are based on 23 years of monthly guest data.

Readers are urged to conduct their own research by referencing the source legislation, and seek legal counsel where appropriate. Return to our platform for further insight into policy impacts, and potential solutions designed to build up BC.

Does this new law apply to me?

If you rent any listing to guests for less than three months, then yes.

One month stays are still allowed in your principal residence plus one unit on the same property, and do not require a short-term business licence.

Nightly stays are only permitted in a principal residence where city bylaws allow.

Investment properties, or anywhere that is not your principal residence, require a minimum stay of 90 days as of May 1st.

Grandfathering will no longer apply to short-term rental activity as of May 1st. This includes properties purchased with explicit bylaws allowing short-term rentals, or areas zoned for the same.

What changes are already in effect?

Municipalities, regional districts, and island trusts now have a greater ability to enforce their bylaws that outline minimum one month stays.

Regional districts can now set a maximum fine of $50,000 for prosecutions of bylaw offences. A maximum fine of $3,000 per infraction per day can also be enforced.

How do I make my current listing(s) comply?

We recommend setting your minimum stay to one month for your principal residence and any other units on the same property, and three months if it is elsewhere. Shifting to a monthly model presents a unique opportunity for hosts.

You’ll want to attract a new type of short-term guest, those who are spending a little longer in the area and not just on vacation. Examples are guests who are relocating, renovating, purchasing a home, on a work project for 1-3 months or more, or visiting family.

Local and international businesses rely on monthly short-term accommodation between 1-3 months and longer, representing a highly reliable guest type. This presents a lucrative opportunity for hosts, while significantly boosting the local economy.

In order to attract these guest types, consider a platform like Vancouver Short Stay that has specialized in monthly short-term rentals for over two decades.

Do I need a special license?

Not yet. The provincial government plans to establish a provincial registry by early 2025. At that time you’ll be required to include a provincial registration number on your listing. This is not required for stays exceeding 90 nights.

Your local government likely requires a standard rental property business license for secondary properties on your primary residence.

Are there any exemptions or special considerations?

Yes. According to the Government of British Columbia’s website, “Short-term rentals do not include accommodation that was intended to be provided for 90 days or longer, but which unexpectedly ends before 90 days have passed.”

How might this law affect British Columbians, and what can I do?

If passed into law on May 1, the new Act may unintentionally raise costs and significantly limit access to crucial services and accommodations under 90 nights, affecting medical training and placement, disaster relief housing, public mobility, and much more.

It's highly recommended that 28-90 night stays be exempt from this Act, as one-month accommodations offer distinct advantages compared to shorter vacation-term stays, serving an essential function within BC’s economy while significantly increasing rental supply and lowering overall costs.

Residents are urged to voice their concerns to Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, Premier David Eby, and their local MLA, and be sure to return to our resources section for more information, insight, and potential solutions.

Which areas of BC are affected and which areas are exempt?

65 British Columbia communities with 10,000 people and over are impacted, as well as their neighboring communities. A few major examples include:

• North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Vancouver
• Richmond, Delta, New Westminster
• Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody
• Victoria, Saanich, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River
• Maple Ridge, Mission
• Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Kamloops

View full list of 65 British Columbia communities where the new rules affect short-term rentals

• Abbotsford
• Anmore
• Belcarra
• Burnaby
• Campbell River
• Central Saanich
• Chilliwack
• Coldstream
• Colwood
• Comox
• Coquitlam
• Courtenay
• Cranbrook
• Cumberland
• Dawson Creek
• Delta
• Duncan
• Esquimalt
• Fort St. John
• Highlands
• Kamloops
• Kelowna
• Lake Country
• Langford
• Langley (City)
• Langley (Township)
• Maple Ridge
• Metchosin
• Mission
• Nanaimo
• Nelson
• New Westminster
• North Cowichan
• North Saanich
• North Vancouver (City)
• North Vancouver (District)
• Oak Bay
• Parksville
• Penticton
• Pitt Meadows
• Port Alberni
• Port Coquitlam
• Port Moody
• Pouce Coupe
• Powell River
• Prince George
• Prince Rupert
• Richmond
• Qualicum Beach
• Saanich
• Salmon Arm
• Sechelt
• Sidney
• Sooke
• Squamish
• Summerland
• Surrey
• Terrace
• Vancouver
• Vernon
• Victoria
• View Royal
• West Kelowna
• West Vancouver
• White Rock
• Williams Lake

90 exempt British Columbia communities that have a population of under 10,000 and are not within 15 km of a larger community.

View full list of 90 British Columbia communities exempted from the new short-term rental rules

• Alert Bay
• Armstrong
• Ashcroft
• Barriere
• Bowen Island Municipality
• Burns Lake
• Cache Creek
• Canal Flats
• Castlegar
• Chase
• Chetwynd
• Clearwater
• Clinton
• Creston
• Daajing Giids
• Enderby
• Fernie
• Fort St. James
• Fraser Lake
• Fruitvale
• Gibsons
• Gold River
• Golden
• Grand Forks
• Granisle
• Greenwood
• Harrison Hot Springs
• Hazelton
• Hope
• Houston
• Hudson’s Hope
• Invermere
• Kaslo
• Kent
• Keremeos
• Kimberley
• Kitimat
• Ladysmith
• Lake Cowichan
• Lantzville
• Lillooet
• Lions Bay
• Logan Lake
• Lumby
• Mackenzie
• Masset
• Merritt
• Midway
• Montrose
• Nakusp
• New Denver
• New Hazelton
• Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
• Oliver
• Osoyoos
• Peachland
• Pemberton
• Port Alice
• Port Clements
• Port Edward
• Port Hardy
• Port McNeill
• Princeton
• Quesnel
• Revelstoke
• Radium Hot Springs
• Rossland
• Salmo
• Sayward
• Sicamous
• Silverton
• Slocan
• Smithers
• Sparwood
• Spallumcheen
• Stewart
• Sun Peaks
• Taylor
• Telkwa
• Tahsis
• Tofino
• Trail
• Tumbler Ridge
• Ucluelet
• Valemount
• Vanderhoof
• Warfield
• Wells
• Whistler
• Zeballo

What can I do to appeal to monthly guests?

If you’re already set up for vacation-term rentals (nightly and weekly), the great news is that only a few minor adjustments are needed to adapt successfully.

Your goal should be to provide your guests with the basics that they will need to be fairly independent and comfortable during their stay. Remember that this is still temporary accommodation, so set your guests up for success with the basics such as a full cooking pot set, dishware, basic bakeware, spare linens and towels.

List of essentials for monthly stays

• Full size kitchen with fridge and stove
  Fully equipped for cooking and baking with a standard or apartment sized fridge and stove.
• Cooking basics
  Pots, pans, kitchen utensils, cooking knives, and a cutting board.
• Dining basics
  Dishes: Plates, bowls, side plates.
  Silverware: Forks, knives, spoons.
  Drinking glasses: Tall and short sizes, coffee mugs.
• Baking basics
  Mixing bowls, baking dishes, hand mixer, measuring cups, measuring spoons.
• All utilities
  Heat, light, and hot water included in the price with the guest’s cost of accommodation.
• Wifi
  High speed connection with a strong signal throughout your listing.
• Fresh bedroom linens
  One set of bedsheets, blanket, duvet, and soft pillows for each bed.
• Fresh towels
  At least two sets of full size bath towels, hand towels, and face cloths for each bathroom.
• Spare linens
  Extra pillows, blanket, plus an extra set of linens and towels for each bed and bathroom set aside in a linen closet for guests to use for themselves, visiting friends, or family.
• Basic starter items
  Small but important items to get your guests started at the beginning of each stay:
  • Bathroom:
    Toilet paper and bar soap (plus one spare of each) for each bathroom.
  • All rooms:
    Small garbage bags for each trash can.
  • Kitchen:
    Sponge, dish and/or laundry detergent (labeled to avoid bubbles everywhere), fresh paper towel roll.
• Washer and dryer
  In-suite, or in-building for a fee with unrestricted access.
• Smoke detector
  Local laws may require that a smoke detector be provided in every room.
• Fire extinguisher
  Accessible inside the listing or nearby the entrance in the immediate vicinity.

How do I find the best short-term rental platform that caters to monthly guests?

Picking the right platform is a major decision. But, how do you find the right fit? Don’t get lost in the crowd with popular platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Larger platforms face challenges when it comes to adapting to new regulations, given their focus on nightly and weekly rentals. Choosing a specialized platform that is better equipped to navigate BC’s new legislation provides hosts with a more stable and compliant environment to operate in.

Here are some of the benefits in using a specialized monthly platform like Vancouver Short Stay:

• Greater support for hosts who would like to rent their properties within a monthly context.
• Greater control for owner-operators over their listings and decision making.
• A tailored experience with individual attention and preferences in mind.
• An emphasis on trust and verification, creating a safe and reliable environment for both hosts and guests.
• Excellent optics in the face of changing legislation.
• Accommodate professionals and guests looking to relocate, active contributors to the well being of our local economies.

Conclusion

How can hosts navigate BC’s new Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act as we approach May 1st, 2024?

• Know that you’ll be impacted when accepting guests for stays less than 90 days.
• Set your minimum stay to one month, and 90 days for any property that is not on the same lot as your primary residence.
• Return to this article to learn when a provincial registration number will be required.
• Be aware that the province has increased the maximum fine that municipalities, regional districts, and island trusts can set for prosecutions of bylaw offences and infractions.
• Evaluate your property. Review our list of essentials to ensure it caters to monthly stays and business professionals with certain amenities and a workspace. Take this as an opportunity to upgrade your suite.
• Determine if your listing is within any of the impacted 65 British Columbia communities.
• Consider joining Vancouver Short Stay for its specialized monthly hosting community, complimentary professional photos for qualifying suites, flexibility, personalized assistance, and maximum control over your listings.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other individual or organizational entity. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and due diligence before making any decisions based on the content of this article.

The full text for B.C.’s Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act is available through the Government of BC.