Short-Term Rentals

A short term rental (STR) is the rental of a furnished bedroom or a self-contained residence (includes a toilet, bathroom, sleeping and living area, and a cooking facility), for less than 90 consecutive days. STR listings are commonly found on online platforms, such as, Airbnb, Vrbo, FlipKey, Booking.com, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace amongst other advertising and listing mediums.

Principal residence means that it is your residence, and that you are able to prove that you live there for at least 183 days per 12-month licensing period. STRs can only be operated in your own residence, plus one additional rental unit (e.g., an authorized secondary suite, or a coach house) on the same property.

Under the Provincial regulation, operating an STR is not permitted outside of your principal residence.

The City will only grant a business licence if you meet the eligibility requirements. See the requirements in the “How to Qualify for an STR Business Licence” drop down menu below.

To be eligible for a Business Licence, you must meet the following conditions:

• Comply with the Provincial Short Term Rental Accommodations Act.
• Comply with the City’s Zoning Bylaw 1995, No. 6700. The City will review each application and determine compliance with the Zoning Bylaw.
• The STR must be operating solely in your principal residence. This may include within your own residence (such as a bedroom), plus if applicable, one additional rental unit (e.g., an authorized secondary suite, or a coach house) on the same property. This means that you are permitted to operate no more than two STRs on the same property. 
• Your residence complies with the City’s building and life safety requirements.
• If you are a tenant, you have the written authorization from the property owner to operate an STR.
• If your residence is part of a Strata Corporation, you have the written authorization of the Strata Corporation to operate an STR.
• Commit to maintain and provide to the City upon request a list of the dates, duration, and number of patrons accommodated in your STR.
  
  

There are three types of STR Business Licence categories in the City of North Vancouver:

1. Short Term Boarding: 
Rental of one or more furnished bedrooms without any cooking facilities.
- Annual Business Licence fee: $250

2. Short Term Residential Rental:
Rental of an entire self-contained residence (includes a toilet, bathroom, sleeping and living area, and a cooking facility).
- Annual Business Licence fee: $550

3. Bed and Breakfast: 
Rental of one or more furnished bedrooms with breakfast provided.
- Annual Business Licence fee: $19 / room

Business Licence application forms and information are available online, and at City Hall. 

The following outlines the key steps to obtain a Business Licence:

1. The applicant completes the STR Business Licence application form applicable for their property:

• Short Term Boarding: Rental of one or more furnished bedrooms without any cooking facilities. (Annual Business Licence fee: $250) Download the Short Term Boarding Business Licence Application Form

• Short Term Residential Rental: Rental of an entire self-contained residence (includes a toilet, bathroom, sleeping and living area, and a cooking facility. (Annual Business Licence fee: $550) Download the Short Term Residential Rental Business Licence Application Form

• Bed and Breakfast: Rental of one or more furnished bedrooms with breakfast provided. (Annual Business Licence fee: $19/room) Download the Bed and Breakfast Business Licence Application Form

Submit your application form via email to licence@cnv.org.

2. The City reviews the application form to confirm that it is full and complete.

3. The applicant pays a $50 non-refundable application fee. Payment can be made on CityServe.

4. The City reviews all documentation to ensure compliance with:

• Principal residence requirement;
• Property use approvals, if applicable;
• Zoning requirements for the property;
• Building and life safety requirements; and
• Bylaws, regulations, and policies of the City.

5. The City issues an invoice for the Business Licence fee if the applicant meets all requirements.

6. The applicant pays the annual fee for a Business Licence:

• Accessory Boarding – Short Term: $250
• Residential Rental – Short Term: $550
• Accessory Bed & Breakfast: $19 / room 

7. The City issues a Business Licence to the applicant.

8. Within 90 days of the Licence being issued, the City will contact the STR operator to carry out on-site Business Licence inspections.

Applicants will be notified if their application is not approved. Questions about the business licence process? Visit cnv.org/BusinessLicences  

If your question is not answered below, please download the full FAQ or contact City staff at licence@cnv.org or 604-982-9675.


1. Where can I operate an STR?
An STR can only be operated in your own residence, plus in one additional rental unit (e.g., an authorized secondary suite, or a coach house) on the same property.

2. Can I operate an STR outside of my principal residence?
No. In accordance with Provincial regulations, operating an STR outside of your principal residence is prohibited.

3. Can I live in an accessory unit, and operate an STR in another unit located on the same property?
Yes. In accordance with Provincial regulations, this is permitted. As an example, you may live in your secondary suite, while operating an STR in the main unit on the same property.

4. Am I permitted to operate an STR in another rental unit on the same property without operating an STR in my own residence?
Yes. In accordance with Provincial regulations, this is permitted.

5. Can my entire residence be used for STR purposes?
Yes. This is permitted on the basis that you live in your residence for at least 183 days per 12-month licensing period. A “Residential Rental – Short Term” Business Licence issued by the City is required.

6. Can an unauthorized secondary suite or coach house be eligible for STRs?
STRs cannot be operated in an unauthorized secondary suite or unauthorized coach house. If you have an unauthorized secondary suite or unauthorized coach house,  the Building Permit application process must be followed to legalize a secondary suite or coach house.  

7. Is there a restriction for the number of guests for an STR?
There are restrictions in place for limiting guest numbers for “Accessory Boarding – Short Term” use.  This information can be found in Section 507 (9) “Accessory Boarding Use” of the Zoning Bylaw. There are no guest limitations in place for “Residential Rental – Short Term”. 

8. Is off-street parking required to operate an STR?
Subject to Zoning regulations, off-street parking is required to operate an “Accessory Boarding – Short Term”, and an “Accessory Bed & Breakfast” – generally applicable for one-unit residential and two-unit residential. Off-street parking is also required for use of accessory units, such as a secondary suite and/or a coach house.  
This information can be found in Figure 9-3 “Minimum Parking Provision by Class of Building” (Section 908) of the Zoning Bylaw. The City will review each application and determine compliance with the Zoning Bylaw.

9. I live in a strata unit (e.g., condo, townhouse). Can I operate an STR?
You can operate an STR if you have written authorization from your Strata Corporation.
Link: Strata Corporation Authorization Form

10. I am the long-term tenant of a residence. Can I operate an STR?
You can operate an STR if you have written authorization from your property owner.
Link: Property Owner Authorization Form.

11. I live in a non-market rental housing unit. Can I operate an STR?
No. STRs are prohibited in a non-market rental housing unit.

12. Can I operate an STR on a residential premises with a child care facility?
No. STRs are prohibited in a residential premises with a child care facility.

• Operator’s Handbook
• FAQs
• Business Licence Application Form - Short Term Boarding 
• Business Licence Application Form - Short Term Residential Rental
• Business Licence Application Form - Bed and Breakfast
• Authorization Form – Strata
• Authorization Form – Property Owner
• Short Term Rental Operation Records Template
• Life Safety Guidelines for Rental Units