Short-Term Rentals

At their regular November 25, 2024 meeting, Council adopted changes to the District’s Zoning and Licensing Bylaws to regulate Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in alignment with the provincial Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act. These changes aim to balance the need for visitor accommodation with community safety and neighborhood quality of life.

Effective January 1, 2025, operators are required to have a District of West Vancouver STR business licence before marketing or booking a STR. The District will allow a grace period of four months for owners to become compliant; enforcement will begin on May 1, 2025.

Staff will be reviewing applications after January 1, 2025. As this is a new program, please allow time for staff to review your application accordingly.

Effective January 1, 2025:
- Permitted STRs: Short-term rentals (defined within the District as stays of less than 30 consecutive days) will now be allowed in principal residences. For properties with secondary or detached suites (e.g., basement suites or coach houses), STRs will be limited to one unit per parcel—either the primary residence, the secondary suite, or the detached suite.
- Licensing Requirements: STR operators must obtain a business licence and adhere to conditions designed to promote safety and minimize community disruption.
- To apply for and be eligible for a Short-Term Rental Accommodation –Dwelling Unit license, the dwelling unit must have an approved Secondary Suite licence.
  
  Secondary Suite licence application form
Safety
- STRs must be in legal dwelling units and compliant with current BC Building Code regulations.
- Operators must post a fire safety plan and provide essential safety equipment such as interconnected smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors (if applicable).
- Emergency contact information must be provided to guests and the District.
Neighbourhood Impact
- STRs are limited to one licence per parcel/principal residence.
- A maximum of eight guests are allowed at any one time.
- STR operators and guests must comply with District bylaws, including Noise Control, Good Neighbour, and Traffic and Parking regulations.
Strata Buildings
- Strata corporations retain the right to prohibit STRs through their own bylaws.

Annual Renewal Fees

Short-Term Rental Accommodation – Dwelling Unit
First Licence	$450	Effective January 1, 2025.
First Licence	$350	Effective August 1, 2025. Businesses that come into existence after July 31, 2025, pursuant to Business Licence Bylaw 4455 Section 5.2.2.
Annual Renewal Licence	$350
Short-Term Rental Accommodation – Lodger/Room
First Licence	$450	Effective January 1, 2025.
First Licence	$350	Effective August 1, 2025. Businesses that come into existence after July 31, 2025, pursuant to Business Licence Bylaw 4455 Section 5.2.2.
Annual Renewal Licence	$350

As of  Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the Province of British Columbia has introduced new requirements for short-term rental hosts and short-term rental platforms operating in B.C., through Bill 35 – Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act, and will apply to rentals provided for a period of less than 90 consecutive days.

Property that is rented for over 30 and less than 90 consecutive days will need to comply with provincial regulations, in addition to District bylaws. This page is provided for general information purposes only. For specific inquiries about Bill 35 and how it may affect short-term rental operations please contact ServiceBC.

You are able to report your concerns directly to the Province of British Columbia through the following link: Short-term rental compliance and enforcement.